Missouri, Say Yes to Senate Crackdown on Dog Fighting

Missouri, Say Yes to Senate Crackdown on Dog Fighting

SB 819—Increases Penalties for Dog Fighting
Sponsor(s): Senator Scott Rupp
ASPCA Position: Support
Action Needed: Call your Missouri state senator TODAY to urge support for this bill.

SB 819 would give the Show Me State stiffer laws against dog fighting. The bill would add dog fighting to the list of offenses that are subject to the Criminal Activity Forfeiture Act. It would increase the penalty for being a spectator at a dog fighting event, and allow law enforcement officers making a lawful seizure to take possession of dogs and property used in the violation.

The bill has passed out of the Senate Judiciary Committee and has been placed on the Senate calendar. Although there is strong bipartisan support for this bill in both chambers of the Missouri General Assembly, a group called the Missouri Federation of Animal Owners has been actively working to defeat the bill.

Time is running out to pass this important piece of animal welfare legislation. Please call your state senator as soon as you can to urge support for SB 819. You can look up your senator’s phone number here (make sure you call your state senator in the Missouri General Assembly, not your federal senator in the U.S. Congress). When you call, please remember to thank your legislator for taking your views into consideration.

In addition, please take a moment to add your comments to the following letter of support and submit it to your state senator. It is very important that you personalize the letter so it will stand out.

(Sponsor) Senator Scott Rupp
State Capitol Building
Room 426
Jefferson City, Missouri 65101
(573) 751-1282
FAX: (573) 526-4766

Click here to be taken to the ASPCA site to send your email.