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.

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.

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