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Utah House passes tougher penalties for organized cockfighting after heated debate
Summary
After extended debate, the Utah House approved a third substitute to Senate Bill 134 to steepen penalties for organized cockfighting — retaining misdemeanor treatment for first offenses while elevating repeat offenses to Class A and third-degree felony status for third offenses; the measure targets organizers and will return to the Senate.
The Utah House of Representatives on March 10 approved a third substitute to Senate Bill 134, raising penalties for organized cockfighting and directing enforcement at event organizers. Sponsor Representative Gibson said the bill keeps first-time offenses as a class B misdemeanor but elevates second offenses to class A and third offenses to a third-degree felony, arguing the escalation is needed as a deterrent.
Supporters, including Representative Christiansen, framed the change as closing a gap between Utah and other states and stopping an industry that can export activity out of state. Christiansen said she was…
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