Proposed Law Would Help Police Crack Down On Dog Fighting

BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- A cruel and a vicious crime that some call a sport. Now the city is looking for tougher penalties for dog fighting.

Tracey Leong explains how a proposed law will help police crack down.

Rape stands--designed to immobilize female dogs for breeding--and breaking sticks--aimed to break a dog's grip on another animal--are just some of the items used in the underground world of dog fighting.

"We want our community not only to respect human life, but animal life as well," said Katie Flory, Anti-Animal Abuse Advisory Commission.

Flory is the chair of the mayor's Anti-Animal Abuse Advisory Committee..

On Tuesday, the Baltimore City Council Health Committee voted to advance a bill making it illegal to possess animal fighting equipment.

"Oftentimes, law enforcement is not able to catch the actual dog fight in progress. Oftentimes, the dogs are kept in abandoned buildings or in other places," said Flory.

This bill would close a loophole in the current law, where people cannot be arrested or charged unless the dogs are located in the home.

Even if no dogs are found at a location, police can still move forward with dog fighting charges if illegal equipment is found.

Last year, police broke up a dog fighting ring in Baltimore City, where more than 200 dogs--including 50 puppies--were living in deplorable conditions.

Twenty-two men were indicted for the operation, spanning across several states.

"The behavior of these individuals is despicable," said Lt. Col. Sean Miller, Baltimore City Police Department.

This new bill would make it easier to crack down on this bloody underground sport.

Under this bill, people caught with dog fighting equipment would face a $1,000 fine and up to 90 days in jail.

The City Council will take a full vote on the bill Monday.