Animal fighting is a crime in all 50 states and causes immense suffering for the animals that are exploited by humans. Animals are being trained and used as fighters or as bait animals. But this week in the U.S. Senate a loophole that existed in the law was closed that made it a crime to attend an animal fight. Additional penalties were added for those who take a minor along.

There were already existing laws that prohibited staging an animal fight, keeping or training animals for fighting and moving the tools of the trade in interstate commerce. However there was nothing on a federal level that addressed what happens to those who are caught as spectators. These are the people who provide major funding through admission fees and gambling that help perpetuate these barbaric activities.

The bipartisan legislation was introduced by Sens. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn, Scott Brown, R-Mass., Maria Cantwell, D-Wash. and Mark Kirk, R-Ill. According to Senator Blumenthal, “Animal fighting is a cruel blood sport that involves maiming and torturing – and encourages other criminal wrongdoing. Unfortunately, this despicable activity continues to exist throughout the country, well-financed by spectators who enable the fighting and engage in illegality like drug dealing, extortion, and assault. Because these crimes often involve actors from a number of different states, local law enforcement simply lacks the authority to crack down and pursue animal fighting organizers."

He goes on to say, “My legislation not only prohibits all individuals from knowingly attending an animal fight, but also strengthens the penalties for those who bring children to animal fights – closing a final key loophole in federal animal fighting law. I am grateful that my colleagues on both sides of the aisle have come together to pass this truly bipartisan bill, which will help put an end to this activity.”

Of course the House version (H.R. 2492), introduced by Reps. Tom Marino, R-Pa., and Betty Sutton, D-Ohio, currently has 227 cosponsors, but must still be passed. Please take a minute to sign the petition below to support the Animal Fighting Spectator Prohibition Act.