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Article: Bill creates stiffer penalties for animal fighting
- Article from:
- Mundelein Review (IL)
- Article date:
- June 28, 2007
- Author:
CopyrightCopyright 2007, 2008, Mundelein Review, Pioneer Press. All rights reserved. REPRODUCTION PROHIBITED. (Hide copyright information)
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Persons convicted of animal fighting could soon face stiffer penalties under new legislation sponsored by State Rep. Ed Sullivan, R-51th, of Mundelein.
House Bill 3614, which unanimously passed both Houses and is awaiting the governor's signature, would increase the penalty for any form of animal fighting from a Class 3 misdemeanor to a Class 4 felony for a first offense, and from a Class 4 to a Class 3 felony for second or subsequent offenses.
Currently, only dog fighting is a felony under state law, but other forms of animal fighting--including cockfighting--are misdemeanors. The new law would take effect immediately after it is signed by the governor.
"The public usually hears about dog ...