SALT LAKE CITY— With the end of session nearing, a bill was passed by the Utah Senate that would increase the penalty for game fowl fighting.
Game foul fighting has become more popular in Utah in recent years and is growing in neighboring states as well.
The new bill,SB134, would make cockfighting a class A misdemeanor on the first offense and when charged with a second offense, it would become a third degree felony. Currently, Utah is the only state is the west where game foul fighting is not a felony.
The bill would also punish spectators of the events. Attendance of such of a game foul fight is now a class B misdemeanor.
The bill enhancing the punishment for cockfighting passed and is now advancing to the governor for final approval.
