Felony Dog Fighting
In light of the recent debate over dog fighting and the NFL player that got charged with the crime, I thought it might be interesting for everyone to know where Wyoming is on this issue. Wyoming and Idaho are the last two states left in the Union that have not made dog fighting a felony offense. In Wyoming it is a high misdemeanor. Last session, Representative Rosie Berger of Sheridan introduced a bill that would have made dog fighting a felony. The House of Representatives had a contentious debate on the subject. It ended up passing the House 35-25, but the Senate failed to bring the bill forward for debate, so it died. (I voted for the bill). The opposition to the bill came from the agricultural lobby that argued that animal cruelty is subjective. They were worried that this bill would lead to banishing of branding and other animal husbandry techniques. I have talked with Rep. Berger this week and she may be bringing her bill back again next year. I told her I would assist and support her in her efforts. What do you think?