Senate Committee Endorses Animal Fighting Legislation

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) - Legislation to toughen the state’s laws against animal fighting cleared its first legislative hurdle Monday.
    The Senate Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources unanimously endorsed a bill that would make cockfighting a felony. The panel sent the bill to the Courts of Justice Committee for further examination.
    As it now stands, cockfighting is illegal only if gambling is involved - and then it’s just a misdemeanor.
    The proposed legislation also would outlaw possession of any device or substance to enhance an animal’s fighting ability and make it illegal to allow a juvenile to attend an animal fight.
    Supporters of the bill say the Michael Vick dogfighting case proves something needs to be done.