SLS 24RS-1345 ORIGINAL
2024 Regular Session
SENATE BILL NO. 476
BY SENATOR OWEN
CRIME/PUNISHMENT. Criminalizes the use of bait dogs in the training process for dog
fighting. (8/1/24)
1 AN ACT
2 To amend and reenact R.S. 14:102.5(B) and (C) and to enact R.S. 14:102.5(A)(7)(b)(iv) and
3 (D)(5), relative to the crime of dogfighting and training dogs for dogfighting; to
4 provide that the possession or use of a bait dog is admissible as evidence of
5 dogfighting; to provide an increase in the minimum fine for dogfighting; and to
6 provide for related matters.
7 Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:
8 Section 1. RS. 14:102.5(B) and (C) are hereby amended and reenacted and R.S.
9 14:102.5(A)(7)(b)(iv) and (D)(5) are hereby enacted to read as follows:
10 ยง102.5. Dogfighting; training and possession of dogs for fighting
11 A. * * *
12 (7) * * *
13 (b) The following activities shall be admissible as evidence of a violation of
14 this Paragraph:
15 * * *
16 (iv) Possession or use of a bait dog to train another dog for dogfighting.
17 B.(1) "Bait dog" means a dog chosen for its submissive or docile nature
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Coding: Words which are struck through are deletions from existing law;
words in boldface type and underscored are additions. SB NO. 476
SLS 24RS-1345 ORIGINAL
1 that is used as bait to train another dog to be more aggressive or accustom to
2 attacking other animals.
3 (2) "Dogfighting" means an organized event wherein there is a display of
4 combat between two or more dogs in which the fighting, killing, maiming, or
5 injuring of a dog is the significant feature, or main purpose, of the event.
6 C. Whoever violates any provision of Subsection A of this Section shall be
7 fined not less than one five thousand dollars nor more than twenty-five thousand
8 dollars, or be imprisoned with or without hard labor for not less than one year nor
9 more than ten years, or both.
10 D. Nothing in this Section shall prohibit any of the following activities:
11 * * *
12 (5) Owning or possessing a former bait dog for the purpose of providing
13 it with rehabilitative care.
The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument, were prepared by Jonathon Wagner.
DIGEST
SB 476 Original 2024 Regular Session Owen
Present law creates the crime of dogfighting and provides that no person can intentionally:
(1)For amusement or gain, cause any dog to fight with another dog, or cause any dogs
to injure each other.
(2)Permit any act to be done on any premises under his charge or control, or aid or abet
any such act that, for amusement or gain, causes any dog to fight with another dog,
or causes dogs to injure each other.
(3)Promote, stage, advertise, or be employed at a dogfighting exhibition.
(4)Sell a ticket of admission or receive money for the admission of any person to any
place used, or about to be used, for dogfighting.
(5)Own, manage, or operate any facility kept or used for dogfighting.
(6)Knowingly attend as a spectator at any organized dogfighting event.
(7)Own, possess, keep, or train a dog for purpose of dogfighting.
A violation of present law is punishable by a fine between $1,000 and $25,000, or
imprisonment with or without hard labor for between one year and 10 years, or both.
Proposed law provides that possessing or using a bait dog to train another dog for
dogfighting is admissible as evidence against a person charged with the crime of
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Coding: Words which are struck through are deletions from existing law;
words in boldface type and underscored are additions. SB NO. 476
SLS 24RS-1345 ORIGINAL
dogfighting. Proposed law also provides that owning or possessing a former bait dog for the
purpose of providing it with rehabilitative care is not a violation of proposed law. Proposed
law increases the minimum fine from $1,000 to $5,000.
Proposed law otherwise retains present law.
Effective August 1, 2024.
(Amends R.S. 14:102.5(B) and (C); adds R.S. 14:102.5(A)(7)(b)(iv) and (D)(5))
Page 3 of 3
Coding: Words which are struck through are deletions from existing law;
words in boldface type and underscored are additions.