Posted: | June 24, 2015 11:42 AM |
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From: | Representative Ted Harhai |
To: | All House members |
Subject: | Cosponsorship: Animal Fighting Penalties |
In the near future I will be introducing legislation that adds animal fighting to the list of offenses that are enforceable under the state’s racketeering provisions in Title 18. Presently, the offenses included in the section are wide ranging, including racketeering, insurance fraud, theft, and bookmaking. Adding animal fighting to these crimes will not only address a pattern of illegal activity related to gang and organized crime, it will also give added tools to prosecutors who target these offenses both on the county and statewide level, including longer penalties and higher fines. Presently 5 other states have begun to combat the disturbing growth in animal fighting in this manner. It is hoped that this language will result in enhanced investigations and enforcement and will be successful in the increased prosecution of organized animal fighting within the Commonwealth. |
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Introduced as HB1469