New bill would increase penalty for animal fighting

FRANKFORT, Ky. (ABC 36 NEWS NOW) — Officials say cockfighting has been a problem in Kentucky for decades. On Monday, Kentucky State Police announced they arrested 37-year-old Aaron Thompson and charged him with animal cruelty in connection to an alleged cockfighting event.

“This bill would give the local law enforcement a little bit of teeth so they can go prosecute and close some of these rings down,” Senator Greg Elkins said.

Elkins introduced Senate Bill 39 not only to protect the animals in these rings, but the children that attend the events.

“It makes it a class A misdemeanor to be a spectator or to bring a minor to an animal fighting event,” he said.

The bill also covers more than just chicken fights.

“It will be any animal, any animal that is fighting for sport,” he said. “If you’re organizing or participating or promoting one of these events then you’ll be subject to a class D felony.”

Senator Elkins says he wants to address any confusion on how this potential new law would be prosecuted.

“Anybody who’s hunting with dogs, it does not address that at all. Anybody who’s hunting with falconry, it does not address that at all,” he said. “Any activity that is regulated by Kentucky Fish and Wildlife is exempt from this bill.”

He says the bill targets those involved in criminal activities that go beyond animal fighting and can lead to human trafficking, drugs and more.

Senate Bill 39 did not pass through the legislative session last year, but Elkins says he will continue to push the bill forward.