The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part of the
legislative instrument, were prepared by Jonathon Wagner.
DIGEST
SB 476 Engrossed 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 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))