HB 1574 -- BANS ANIMAL FIGHTING

SPONSOR:  Loudon

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass" by the Committee on Civil and
Criminal Law by a vote of 12 to 2.

The bill bans the sport of animal fighting.  The bill:

(1) Makes a person who owns, possesses, keeps, or trains an
animal for fighting or wrestling exhibitions with another
animal, bird, or person guilty of a class D felony;

(2) Makes persons who for amusement or gain cause any animal or
bird to fight or wrestle with another animal or bird in an
exhibition of fighting or wrestling, guilty of a class D felony;

(3) Makes persons who allow animal fighting or wrestling on
their premises, or aid or abet such acts guilty of a class D
felony;

(4) Makes persons who bring a juvenile under the age of 17 to an
exhibition of animal fighting or wrestling guilty of a class A
misdemeanor; and

(5) Makes spectators at an animal fighting or wrestling
exhibition guilty of a class A misdemeanor.

The bill has a referendum clause.

FISCAL NOTE:  Cost to General Revenue Fund of $24,000 in FY 97.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say that the bill bans animal fighting.
Currently, Missouri is one of 5 states that has not banned
animal fighting.

Testifying for the bill were Representative Loudon; and Alliance
for Animal Legislation.

Testifying against the bill were:  Missouri United Game Breeders
Association indicated opposition to the bill.

Michael Warrick, Research Analyst

HB 1574 -- Bans Animal Fights

Sponsor:  Loudon

The bill bans the sport of animal fighting.  The bill:

(1) Makes a person who owns, possesses, keeps, or trains an
animal for fighting or wrestling exhibitions with another
animal, bird, or person guilty of a class D felony;

(2) Makes persons who for amusement or gain cause any animal or
bird to fight or wrestle with another animal or bird in an
exhibition of fighting or wrestling, guilty of a class D felony;

(3) Makes persons who allow animal fighting or wrestling on
their premises, or aid or abet such acts guilty of a class D
felony;

(4) Makes persons who bring a juvenile under the age of 17 to an
exhibition of animal fighting or wrestling guilty of a class A
misdemeanor; and

(5) Makes spectators at an animal fighting or wrestling
exhibition guilty of a class A misdemeanor.

The bill has a referendum clause.