ASPCA: Dog Fighting Sentencing

The ASPCA recently contacted me and asked me to share information related to strengthening the sentencing guidelines for those who are involved in animal fighting cases.  Specifically, the ASPCA is currently working to persuade the U.S. Sentencing Commission (“USSC”) to raise the jail penalties for people who fight animals.  Dog fighting is a terrible crime and considered a felony in all 50 states.  However, and unfortunately, the current recommended jail sentences do not reflect the seriousness of the offense — convicted dog fighters typically receive sentences as low as six months in jail and almost half of all offenders only receive probation, according to the ASPCA.

This coming April, the USSC will be updating its sentencing guidelines concerning dog fighting cases.  The ASPCA is requesting that the public and interested parties urge the USSC to create higher sentences here.  If you are interested in this topic and cause, the USSC will be accepting public comments until March 21, 2016.  You can read further information here.

The above image is courtesy of the ASPCA.