PLEASE ASK YOUR ASSEMBLY PERSON TO CO SPONSOR A – 3162
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New Jersey Assemblymembers Gordon M. Johnson and Nancy F. Munoz want to strengthen New Jersey’s dog-fighting law by passing A-3162. This important bill would require dogs and all property used for fighting or baiting to be forfeited. A-3162 would also add dog-fighting as a qualifying offense under the state’s Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organization (RICO) Act.
Dog-fighting and baiting is a serious criminal enterprise that is closely connected to a host of other crimes that qualify under the RICO law — including illegal drug and weapons violations, gambling, aggravated assaults, and gang violence — and adding it to RICO is a strong way to enable law enforcement to investigate. This addition also gives prosecutors the option of adding a charge of racketeering to a charge of animal fighting.
Passage of A-3162 is critical toward improving the welfare of both humans and animals. Many communities are scarred by the continuing presence of animal fighting and baiting. Children who are exposed to the unfathomable violence involved can be conditioned to believe that violence is normal.
If he or she has not already done so, please ask your Assemblymember to co-sponsor A-3162 today.