Legislation to make dog fighting a felony in Idaho won final passage in the House today on a unanimous, 67-0 vote. “We want those dogs to be safe – they are our friends and our companions,” said Rep. Darrell Bolz, R-Caldwell. “We have no use for those who participate in the cruel act of organized dog fighting.” Rep. Donna Boe, D-Pocatello, told the House, “I don’t know about your constituents, but mine throughout southeastern Idaho have been asking for three years for this bill.”

Rep. Dick Harwood, R-St. Maries, said, “I’m going to vote for this bill, but I’m gonna do it holding my nose.” The reason? Harwood said if an offender got the maximum penalty, he’d pay a $50,000 fine and spend five years in prison. “But my thing is, they get a $50,000 fine, it costs the taxpayers $300,000 to put that guy in jail for five years. I’d much rather see a penalty of a big fine and then community service – I think that would’ve been a better way to go. But that ain’t here, and we’re gonna be voting on this.” Responded House Speaker Lawerence Denney, “I’m going to count that as positive debate.”

The bill, SB 1260, earlier had passed the Senate overwhelmingly. It now goes to Gov. Butch Otter, who has pledged to sign it into law. The change ends Idaho’s distinction as one of just two states – the other is Wyoming – that doesn’t make dog fighting a felony.

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