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ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Fifth Legislature, First Regular Session
animal fighting paraphernalia; offense.
Purpose
Prohibits a person from knowingly owning, possessing, purchasing, selling, transferring or manufacturing animal fighting paraphernalia for the purposes of animal fighting or cockfighting. Classifies the offense as a class 1 misdemeanor and outlines exemptions.
Background
A person commits animal fighting by knowingly: 1) owning, possessing, keeping or training an animal if the person knows or has reason to know the animal will engage in a fighting exhibition with another animal; 2) causing an animal to fight with or injure another animal for amusement or gain; or 3) allowing animal fighting on premises under the person’s charge or control. Animal fighting is a class 5 felony (A.R.S. § 13-2910.01).
A person commits cockfighting by knowingly: 1) owning, possessing, keeping or training a cock to engage in a fighting exhibition with another cock; 2) causing a cock to fight with or injure another cock for amusement or gain; or 3) allowing cockfighting on premises under the person’s charge or control. Cockfighting is a class 5 felony (A.R.S. § 13-2910.03).
Activities involving the possession, training, exhibition or use of an animal in otherwise lawful hunting, ranching, farming, rodeos, shows and security services are exempt from classification as animal fighting or cockfighting (A.R.S. § 13-2910.05).
There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this legislation.
Provisions
1. Prohibits a person from knowingly owning, possessing, purchasing, selling, transferring or manufacturing animal fighting paraphernalia for the purpose of engaging in, promoting or facilitating animal fighting or cockfighting.
2. Classifies the offense as a class 1 misdemeanor.
3. Exempts, from the animal fighting paraphernalia prohibition, activities involving the possession, training, exhibition or use of an animal in otherwise lawful hunting, ranching, farming, rodeos, shows and security services.
4. Defines animal fighting paraphernalia as equipment, products, implements or materials that are used, intended for use or designed solely for:
a) animal fighting;
b) cockfighting; or
c) training, preparing, conditioning or furthering animal fighting or cockfighting.
5. Includes, in animal fighting paraphernalia, breaking sticks, cat mills, treadmills, fighting pits, springpoles, gaffs, slashers, heels and other sharp implements designed to be attached in place of the natural spur of a cock or game fowl.
6. Becomes effective on the general effective date.
Prepared by Senate Research
January 22, 2021
LB/kja