1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to animals; increasing the penalty for attending an animal fighting event; 
1.3 	changing provisions prohibiting animal fights; imposing criminal penalties;
1.4 	amending Minnesota Statutes 2006, 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 person who
1.8 	(a) Whoever does any of the following is guilty of a felony:
1.9 	(1) promotes, engages in, or is employed in the activity of cockfighting, dogfighting, 
1.10 	or violent pitting of one domesticpet or companion animal as defined in section 346.36, 
1.11 	subdivision 6, against another of the same or a different kind;
1.12 	(2) receives money for the admission of a person to a place used, or about to be 
1.13 	used, for that activity;
1.14 	(3) willfully permits a person to enter or use for that activity premises of which the 
1.15 	permitter is the owner, agent, or occupant; or
1.16 	(4) uses, trains, or possesses a dog or other animal for the purpose of participating 
1.17 	in, engaging in, or promoting that activity.
1.18 	is guilty of a felony. A person who 
1.19 	(b) Whoever purchases a ticket of admission or otherwise gains admission to thatthe
1.20 	activity of cockfighting, dogfighting, or violent pitting of one pet or companion animal as 
1.21 	defined in section 346.36, subdivision 6, against another of the same or a different kind is 
1.22 	guilty of a gross misdemeanor.
1.23 	(c) This subdivision shall not apply to the taking of a wild animal by hunting.

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