New law makes dog fighting a felony

A new law signed by Governor Sonny Perdue today, makes it a felony to own, breed or transport fighting dogs in Georgia. "I refuse to call it a sport. It's not a sport. It's really barbarism and it’s dangerous and cruel and for those of us who love animals and dogs particularly, it’s unconscionable," says Perdue.

The new law also means anyone convicted of betting on or advertising dog fighting also faces felony charges. Finally anyone caught attending a dog fight, will be charged with a misdemeanor.

State Senator Chip Rogers of Woodstock is one of the bill's sponsors.

"I started on this journey back when Michael Vick was just known as the quarterback of the Atlanta Falcons. Unfortunately, what he got involved with helped us bring this terrible, terrible tragedy of dog fighting to light. I say unfortunate for him, but fortunate for the rest of us, because I think it helped us bring us to this day today. We are now making a very bold statement, and that is dog fighting will not be tolerated in the state of Georgia."

Animal rights enthusiasts applauded the new law, which takes effect immediately. Georgia had been ranked by at the bottom nationwide when it comes to dog fighting laws.