New Jersey Senate Bill 975, which seeks to establish animal trunk fighting as an animal cruelty offense, is scheduled for consideration by the Senate Environment and Energy Committee on Monday, October 19, 2020. The American Kennel Club (AKC) supports S.975, and encourages all concerned responsible dog owners in New Jersey to contact the members of the Environment and Energy Committee 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.
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’s responsible dog owners are strongly encouraged to contact the members of the Senate Environment and Energy Committee and urge support for S.975 prior to its Monday, October 19, 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 OLSAideSEN@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, unless properly registered to testify on a bill under consideration. Those interested in providing in-person testimony must complete the Registration form at https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/HearingRegistration/RegistrationForm.asp.
For more information, contact AKC’s Government Relations Department at (919) 816-3503 or doglaw@akc.org.