Colorado Lawmakers Want Mandatory Fines For Animal Fighting

DENVER (AP) - Fines for people convicted of animal fighting in Colorado would be mandatory under a bill advancing in the state Legislature.

Lawmakers sponsoring the bill acknowledge that animal fight is not a big problem in Colorado. Only two people in the state have been convicted of the offense during the past three years.

(credit: CBS)

But bill sponsor, Democratic Rep. Steve Lebsock, says it's about sending a message that animal fighting will not be tolerated.

Animal fighting is already a felony in Colorado, and it's punishable by a $1,000 fine for a first offense, and $5,000 for a second offense. But levying those fines is at a judge's discretion. The bill approved by a House committee Wednesday would make those fines mandatory.

The bill now heads to the full House for debate.