LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


AB 242, as amended, Nava. Dog fighting.
Existing law provides that the crime of dog fighting is a felony
or a misdemeanor, punishable as specified. Existing law provides that
the crime of being a spectator at a dog fight is a misdemeanor
punishable by imprisonment in a county jail not exceeding 6 months,
or by a fine not to exceed $1,000, or by both that imprisonment and
fine.
This bill would increase the penalties for these crimes
by providing instead that the crime of dog fighting is a felony
punishable by imprisonment in the state prison for 16 months or 2 or
3 years and by a fine not to exceed $50,000, and
penalty for the crime of being a spectator at a dog fight
is to a misdemeanor punishable by
imprisonment in a county jail not to exceed one year, or by a fine
not to exceed $5,000, or by both that imprisonment and fine. Because
it would impose local prosecution and
incarceration costs this bill would impose a state-mandated local
program.
The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local
agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the
state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that
reimbursement.
This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this
act for a specified reason.