Idaho Makes Dogfighting A Felony

Laramie, WY – Idaho's governor has signed a bill making
running a dogfighting operation in Idaho a felony.

That leaves Wyoming as the last state where such activities are still just a misdemeanor. Wyoming is considering a similar bill to toughen penalties for the practice.

Under Idaho's new law, for-profit dogfighting operations would be punishable by up to five years in jail and $50,000 in fines.

Attending a dogfight as a knowing spectator would be a misdemeanor.

Idaho Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter says the high-profile prosecution of Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick in Virginia "brought people together" in Idaho.

That's after four years in which similar legislation failed to gain a foothold.

In addition, the state had a rare dogfighting-related prosecution last year, adding further impetus to the legislation.