HF 728

1st Engrossment - 86th Legislature (2009 - 2010) Posted on 03/17/2010 12:46pm

A bill for an act
relating to animals; prohibiting possession of certain devices or substances;
amending Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 343.31, subdivision 1.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 343.31, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Penalty for animal fighting; attending animal fight.

(a) Whoever
does any of the following is guilty of a felony:

(1) promotes, engages in, or is employed in the activity of cockfighting, dogfighting,
or violent pitting of one pet or companion animal as defined in section 346.36, subdivision
6, against another of the same or a different kind;

(2) receives money for the admission of a person to a place used, or about to be
used, for that activity;

(3) willfully permits a person to enter or use for that activity premises of which the
permitter is the owner, agent, or occupant; or

(4) uses, trains, or possesses a dog or other animal for the purpose of participating
in, engaging in, or promoting that activity.

(b) Whoever purchases a ticket of admission or otherwise gains admission to the
activity of cockfighting, dogfighting, or violent pitting of one pet or companion animal as
defined in section 346.36, subdivision 6, against another of the same or a different kind is
guilty of a gross misdemeanor.

new text begin (c) Whoever possesses any device or substance with intent to use or permit the use
of the same to enhance an animal's ability to fight is guilty of a gross misdemeanor.
new text end

deleted text begin (c) deleted text end new text begin (d) new text end This subdivision shall not apply to the taking of a wild animal by hunting.