Is the act of dog fighting itself required for a conviction?
There are three elements to Missouri’s dog fighting law. Any one
of the elements could result in a conviction.:
- Owning, keeping or training a dog for the purpose of fighting against
another dog.
- Causing any dog to fight another dog, or causing any dog to injure
another dog for the purposes of amusement or gain.
- Permitting a dog fight on your property or aiding in those activities.
Is it a crime to simply watch a dogfight?
Yes. In Missouri, anyone who willingly acts as a spectator at a dogfight
is guilty of a Class A misdemeanor, punishable by up to one year in jail.
Is dog fighting an isolated problem or is more widespread?
- The Humane Society estimates that as many as 40,000 people are involved
in dog fighting nationwide, with as many as one million dogs
being victimized by their owners.
- It is a bigger problem than most people realize.
We need to keep a tight leash on dog fighting since it involves
the brutal abuse of animals and it is a gateway for other kinds of crime
in our community.
