MEMPHIS, Tenn. — A new bill could help stop dogfighting and a disturbing new trend in our area.
WREG first told you about trunking, where dogs were forced to fight inside a closed trunk, earlier this week.
Now, those who watch dogfighting could soon face jail time too and not just fines.
The new bill was waiting to be signed by the governor.
If it becomes a law, it would mean harsher punishments for spectators of dogfighting, which advocates said could ultimately save an animal’s life.
Dogs at the Memphis Humane Society were waiting to be adopted, but others all across Shelby County will never know what it is to be loved.
“Memphis is a dogfighting town. There are a lot of spontaneous dogfights that happen here,” Cindy Sanders with the group Community Action for Animals said.
An undercover Humane Society officer in Shelby County said the horrific practice known as trunking was making it harder and harder for law-enforcement to track down dog fighting rings.
“Two people will take two dogs and rile them up to fight. However, they do so by placing them in the trunk of their vehicles,” the officer said.
Then, they would drive around until the noise from inside the trunk stopped.
A new bill could soon help officers put, not only the people who run dog fights away, but also those who attend them.
Spectators would face up to a year in jail and a $2,500 fine.
“The thought behind it is, if you take away the spectators, the people that are doing the betting, you’re going to help stop this,” Sanders pointed out.
The bill would also make it a felony to bring a child under the age of 16 to animal fight.
“It protects children. It protects people that are exposed to it and ultimately, it protect the citizens and the animals,” Sanders said.
With dogfighting on the rise in Shelby County, officers said they have their hands full.
“In 2014 the Humane Society had more arrests for animal fighting than it has in any previous year,” the undercover officer said.
If you know anything that could help officer put those who participate in dogfighting behind bars, you are urged to call Crime Stoppers at 528-CASH.
There is a reward of $1000 for a tip that leads to dogfighting.