New Jersey Senate Bill 975 seeks to establish animal trunk fighting as an animal cruelty offense. The bill, which has already been approved by the Senate Environment and Energy Committee, is scheduled to be considered by the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee on Thursday, January 21. The American Kennel Club (AKC) supports S.975, and encourages all New Jersey Dog owners to urge support of the bill.
The American Kennel Club unequivocally opposes dog fighting and the breeding and/or training of dogs for fighting. The AKC opposes the training of dogs for uncontrolled aggressive behavior toward other dogs and people. We strongly support state laws that make any form of participation in organized dog fights a felony.
Click here to read AKC’s previous action alert on S.975.
S.975 seeks to define “trunk fighting” as the practice of enclosing two or more animals in the trunk or any part of a motor vehicle for the purpose of the animals attacking each other, and possibly fighting until one or more of the animals are dead. The bill would add trunk fighting as a third-degree animal cruelty felony in the state, punishable by 3-5 years imprisonment and/or a fine up to $15,000.
WHAT YOU CAN DO:
New Jersey dog owners are strongly encouraged to contact the members of the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee and urge support for S.975 prior to its Thursday, January 21, meeting.
The public is encouraged to submit written testimony electronically in lieu of oral testimony. Written testimony will be included in the Committee record and distributed to the Committee members. Written testimony should be submitted to OLSAideSBA@njleg.org.
Due to the current public health emergency, the State House Annex remains closed to visitors and members of the public will not be allowed to attend the meeting in person. However, the public may view and participate in the meeting via the New Jersey Legislature home page at https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/.
For those individuals who wish to testify, please check the box “Do you wish to testify?” on the Registration Form. Instructions for testifying before the committee will be forwarded to you after you submit your Registration Form.
The form must be submitted by 3:00 PM on January 20, 2021.
For more information, contact AKC’s Government Relations Department at (919) 816-3503 or doglaw@akc.org.