Let's Push For Stricter Sentencing for Dog Fighters

Take Action: Ask the U.S. Sentencing Commission to get tough on animal fighting! 

How Much Do You Know About Animal Fighting?

We hit the streets to ask: How much do you know about animal fighting?

Although animal fighting is a felony in all 50 states, it continues to occur in every part of the country and in every type of community. Animal fighting is also often associated with other forms of criminal activity including illegal gambling and possession of drugs and firearms.

Find out how you can help put an end to the cruel sport of animal fighting by visiting aspca.org/gettough.
The ASPCA has teamed up with The Dodo to bring attention to this vital window of time to help victims of animal fighting. We need your help!
While participating in animal fighting has been a federal felony for years, this brutal form of cruelty is still occurring in every part of the country. One would think that convicted animal fighters would serve significant time behind bars…but that’s not always the case. 

Federal law allows this crime to be punished with prison terms of up to 5 years, but the current federal sentencing guidelines categorize animal fighting as a “gambling offense” and suggest a base level sentence of only 6-12 months. In reality, about half of the people convicted of animal fighting in federal courts get only probation, and fighters who do get jail time receive an average sentence of 6 months. That's just not enough.

Take Action Today!
Fortunately, it’s time for the U.S. Sentencing Commission to update its sentencing guidelines, and animal fighting is on the agenda. The commission is looking seriously at this question and is on the right track – it has proposed raising the base level sentence to 21-27 months – but we’d like to see the guidelines recommend even higher sentences in extreme cases, such as when a large number of animals have suffered. Animal advocates like you can make a real difference! 

Please urge the Sentencing Commission to #GetTough on animal fighting by filling out the form below, and then spread the word by sharing this page on social media. Together, we can make sure that people who force animals to fight are punished to the fullest extent allowed by law.

Dear Commissioners,

Thank you for proposing an amendment to the federal animal fighting sentencing guidelines. I urge you to update the guidelines by increasing the offense level of animal fighting to level 16 to ensure higher sentences. This change would better reflect the severity of the crime, and will lead future prison sentences to be more in line with the maximum of 5 years prescribed by Congress in 2008.

I also ask that you create specific offense characteristics that account for fighting ventures conducted on an exceptional scale and harming a large number of animals, the egregious neglect and cruelty that occurs in these cases, and the violence of these criminals.

Federal judges rely heavily on the sentencing guidelines when faced with unfamiliar crimes like animal fighting. Your action is critical to ensuring that these crimes are sentenced appropriately.

Thank you very much for your consideration of this important issue.

Pit Bull Fighting Dog
Target: Chief Judge Patti B. Saris & U.S. Sentencing Commission
Goal: Implement harsher sentences for individuals who engage in dog fighting.
Dog fights are a rampant form of inhumane gambling. They have been a persistent problem for years, despite the offense being a felony. While many dog fighters are arrested every year, there has been little to no progress made in eliminating them. Indeed, it could be argued that regardless of the felony charge, there hasn’t been a marked decrease in dog fighting rings at all.
Many cities ban pit bulls and will force owners of pits to euthanize their dogs, all in an effort to “stop” dog fighting. This is little more than punishing the victims of these fights and doing nothing to stop fighters from forcing other breeds into the ring.
One way to help reduce the number of dog fights, and people fighting dogs, is to enforce longer sentences for those convicted. As it is now, violators can be sentenced a maximum of five years. However, as current federal guidelines classify dog fighting as “gambling,” most sentences are only six months to one year. This is hardly a slap on the wrist considering the lives lost in these fights.
Organizations like the ASPCA are fighting for stricter sentencing guidelines and we can help them. Help take people involved in dog fights off of the streets for longer periods of time with sentences that fit the abuse these individuals exercise on dogs. Following the ASPCA recommendation of a minimum 21 to 27 month sentence, with hopes for higher sentences for more extreme cases, let us propose the same.
PETITION LETTER: Click Here To help
Dear Chief Judge Saris,
Despite the fact that dog fights put the health and lives of those dogs in danger, the practice is still only charged as gambling. This is almost like saying the loss of a dog’s life is equivalent to monetary loss such as an individual faces in a casino.
In light of recent upgrades to animal cruelty laws and sentencing, I believe it only right that stricter sentences be enforced on dog fighters. These people intentionally raise and abuse these animals, so that they may turn a profit on their death and/or injury. It is a barbaric and inhumane practice, and should be treated as more than just a gambling infraction.
Stricter sentencing for dog fighters will not eliminate dog fights altogether, but it will help keep these individuals off the streets and away from animals. Increasing the minimum sentence recommendation from six to 12 months to 21 to 27 months, and longer for more extreme cases, would be a big step in curbing the actions of these criminals.
Please consider how many animals may be spared the brutality of such a lifestyle by ensuring dog fighters receive punishment that fits the gravity of their crimes.
Sincerely,
[Your Name Here]
Photo Credit: Gastongato
Target: Chief Judge Patti B. Saris & U.S. Sentencing Commission
Goal: Implement harsher sentences for individuals who engage in dog fighting.
Dog fights are a rampant form of inhumane gambling. They have been a persistent problem for years, despite the offense being a felony. While many dogfighters are arrested every year, there has been little to no progress made in eliminating them. Indeed, it could be argued that regardless of the felony charge, there hasn’t been a marked decrease in dog fighting rings at all.
Many cities ban pit bulls and will force owners of pits to euthanize their dogs, all in an effort to “stop” dog fighting. This is little more than punishing the victims of these fights and doing nothing to stop fighters from forcing other breeds into the ring.
One way to help reduce the number of dog fights, and people fighting dogs, is to enforce longer sentences for those convicted. As it is now, violators can be sentenced a maximum of five years. However, as current federal guidelines classify dogfighting as “gambling,” most sentences are only six months to one year. This is hardly a slap on the wrist considering the lives lost in these fights.
Organizations like the ASPCA are fighting for stricter sentencing guidelines and we can help them. Help take people involved in dogfights off of the streets for longer periods of time with sentences that fit the abuse these individuals exercise on dogs. Following the ASPCA recommendation of a minimum 21 to 27 month sentence, with hopes for higher sentences for more extreme cases, let us propose the same.
PETITION LETTER: Click Here To help
Dear Chief Judge Saris,
Despite the fact that dogfights put the health and lives of those dogs in danger, the practice is still only charged as gambling. This is almost like saying the loss of a dog’s life is equivalent to monetary loss such as an individual faces in a casino.
In light of recent upgrades to animal cruelty laws and sentencing, I believe it only right that stricter sentences be enforced on dogfighters. These people intentionally raise and abuse these animals, so that they may turn a profit on their death and/or injury. It is a barbaric and inhumane practice, and should be treated as more than just a gambling infraction.
Stricter sentencing for dog fighters will not eliminate dogfights altogether, but it will help keep these individuals off the streets and away from animals. Increasing the minimum sentence recommendation from six to 12 months to 21 to 27 months, and longer for more extreme cases, would be a big step in curbing the actions of these criminals.
Please consider how many animals may be spared the brutality of such a lifestyle by ensuring dog fighters receive punishment that fits the gravity of their crimes.
Sincerely,
[Your Name Here]
Photo Credit: Gastongato