1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to animals; prohibiting the possession of certain items related to animal 
1.3 	fighting; imposing criminal penalties;amending Minnesota Statutes 2006, 
1.4 	section 343.31, subdivision 1.
1.5 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.6 	Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 343.31, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
1.7 		Subdivision 1.Penalty for animal fighting; attending animal fight. (a) A person 
1.8 	who:
1.9 	(1) promotes, engages in, or is employed in the activity of cockfighting, dogfighting, 
1.10 	or violent pitting of one domestic animal against another of the same or a different kind;
1.11 	(2) receives money for the admission of a person to a place used, or about to be 
1.12 	used, for that activity;
1.13 	(3) willfully permits a person to enter or use for that activity premises of which the 
1.14 	permitter is the owner, agent, or occupant; or
1.15 	(4) uses, trains, or possesses a dog or other animal for the purpose of participating 
1.16 	in, engaging in, or promoting that activity is guilty of a felony. 
1.17 	(b) A person who:
1.18 	(1) purchases a ticket of admission or otherwise gains admission to that activity; or
1.19 	(2) possesses any device or substance intended to enhance an animal's ability to 
1.20 	fight is guilty of a misdemeanor.

1.21 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective August 1, 2008, and applies to crimes 
1.22 	committed on or after that date.