Bill would help seized dogs get to new homes

The Humane Society of Missouri is awaiting a hearing to decide the fate of 26 dogs seized in connection with a Stoddard County dogfighting ring that was broken up Oct. 20.

The preliminary hearing for the three defendants in the case was held Nov. 29, and now the Humane Society, while continuing to care for the dogs, must wait to see whether a judge will release the animals to their custody and allow them to be put up for adoption, said Tim Rickey, director of investigations for the Humane Society.

Now, new legislation may be enacted that will prevent such a delay in finding homes for dogs seized in dogfighting busts, in addition to adding teeth to existing penalties for those who participate in dogfights.

A bill expected to have been filed Saturday by Sen. Scott T. Rupp, (R-Wentzville), seeks to tighten laws against the felony of dogfighting, said Julie Leicht, executive director of Missouri Alliance for Animal Legislation.

"We're taking existing legislation and cleaning it up a little bit to make it tougher," Leicht said.

Though the amount of time a court would be have to hold the custody hearing hasn't been finalized, Leicht said a 30-day window was discussed.

Keeping the dogs for such a lengthy amount of time while they remain the property of the county that made the bust incurs unnecessary cost for the Humane Society and delays the process needed to find good homes for the dogs, Leicht said.

In addition, the new legislation would charge anyone arrested a second time with being a spectator in a dogfight with a felony. Spectating at a dogfight is currently a misdemeanor in Missouri.

Finally, the bill further cracks down on those caught dogfighting by making seizure of all personal property by law enforcement an automatic penalty for those convicted of both participating in and attending dogfighting practices.

"The message is, 'Hey, if you come to this kind of event, bad things can happen," Leicht said.

Strong penalties for dogfighting are already the intent of Missouri legislation, but the new bill would tweak them slightly to enforce stricter punishments.

Leicht said Rupp plans on introducing the bill at the next legislative session.

Public sentiment has supported anti-dogfighting legislation ever since NFL player Michael Vick pleaded guilty to his role in a dogfighting conspiracy brought the issue to the forefront, Leicht said.

Rupp was attending a retreat and could not be reached for comment, his office said.

bdicosmo@semissourian.com

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