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Makes it illegal to train, transport, sell or own a fighting dog
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 05/06/08
Five months after Atlanta Falcons star Michael Vick was sentenced to prison for his involvement in dog fighting, Gov. Sonny Perdue signed legislation Tuesday stiffening Georgia's dog-fighting laws.
Georgia has had among the weakest dog-fighting laws in the country, according to the Humane Society of the United States. The new law makes it illegal to train, transport, sell or own a fighting dog. It also will be illegal to promote or advertise a fight and to attend a dog fight.
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Involvement in the dog-fighting business will be a felony, while attending a dog fight will be a high and aggravated misdemeanor on the first offense. It will be a felony on a second offense.
Perdue, a veterinarian, called dog fighting a "repulsive, senseless organized crime.
"Over the past year there has been a bright spotlight shining on a sad situation ... the bloody, brutal world of dog fighting," Perdue said. "It's not a sport, it's really barbarism.
"This sends a very clear message that it will not be tolerated in Georgia."
Perdue signed the bill with a couple of K-9 police dogs looking on.
Vick pleaded guilty Aug. 27 to a federal dogfighting conspiracy charge and was sentenced Dec. 10 to 23 months in prison.
Sen. Chip Rogers (R-Woodstock), who has unsuccessfully sponsored dog-fighting legislation the past few years, said the new law would have passed during the 2008 legislative session even without the Vick case. However, Rogers added, "He certainly helped us push it over the goal line."
Rep. Bobby Reese (R-Sugar Hill), the House sponsor of the dog-fighting legislation, said, "With the Michael Vick thing, it just educated the public. We were going to get it done this year."
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Comments
By karen m
May 7, 2008 12:31 PM | Link to this
The best news is that the dogs, at least, are doing great. This article made my day:
http://dogtime.com/best-friends.html
By karen m
May 7, 2008 12:29 PM | Link to this
The best news is that the dogs, at least, are doing great. This article made my day:
http://dogtime.com/best-friends.html
By Malik
May 7, 2008 11:06 AM | Link to this
Who Cares they're jus dogs, people hunt, we EAT animals. I could care less even though i wouldnt fight them myself, i still dont care what people do with some damn animals
By Jack
May 6, 2008 11:21 PM | Link to this
Najah, I found it ironic your name ends with "poop". It is nice your name is consistent with your message.
Keep Vick in jail and throw away the key.
By MikeB
May 6, 2008 7:15 PM | Link to this
Man! My spelling stinks today...Sorry for that....My fault.
By Taylor
May 6, 2008 7:12 PM | Link to this
If Sonny doesn't do anything else in his term he has my vote next time just for signing this bill.
Great Job Sonny
you're the best!
By MikeB
May 6, 2008 7:01 PM | Link to this
I happen to agree about horse racing. I don't think its right......Still its not animals biting gouging and ripping at each other. Sure humans abuse animals in that sport, but their is not a reasonable caomparrison to be made.
The reasons why Purdue signed this, may be to divert your attention from the other issues his administration is not dealing with, but when something is so obviously WRONG, harming, inhumaine and of no value to society it kinda makes it easy to sign. If your gonna ridicule Purdue it should be because as a Vetrinarian, he should have had legislation like this siggned into law upon his becoming Govenor.
If you're still going to justify Dog Fighting. Go look in the mirror at yourself, below the waist line while turned around.....Thats what you must be thinking with to defend such deviant behavior. Definition -Deviant behavior that is a recognized violation of social norms.
By MikeB
May 6, 2008 7:01 PM | Link to this
I happen to agree about horse racing. I don't think its right......Still its not animals biting gouging and ripping at each other. Sure humans abuse animals in that sport, but their is not a reasonable caomparrison to be made.
The reasons why Purdue signed this, may be to divert your attention from the other issues his administration is not dealing with, but when something is so obviously WRONG, harming, inhumaine and of no value to society it kinda makes it easy to sign. If your gonna ridicule Purdue it should be because as a Vetrinarian, he should have had legislation like this siggned into law upon his becoming Govenor.
If your still going to justify Dog Fighting. Go look in the mirror at yourself, below the waist line while turned around.....Thats what you must be thinking with to defend such deviant behavior. Definition -Deviant behavior that is a recognized violation of social norms.
By Ricky
May 6, 2008 6:47 PM | Link to this
I watched another race horse put down for being injured in a race where rich white people cheered for their favorite race horse. Just so I will understand, where is the difference between what Michael Vick did what there people did to that poor injured horse.
If you are going to have an indignation to cruelty to animals, then start with Horse Racing and Dog Sledding.
By Another WMD
May 6, 2008 5:23 PM | Link to this
Great, so where is the bill that mandates every hunter must eat what he shoots for fun and to ban all media showcasing of violence towards animals? Or is this just reserved for Fluffy and Fido?? Whatever, this bill is just a ruse for Perdue to turn your short attention spans from the issues with the DOT and the Labor Department. Nobody gives a flip about some darn dogfighting.
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