Senate advances bill increasing penalties for cockfighting after heated debate

The Utah Senate passed a measure tightening penalties for cockfighting after extended debate and competing amendment proposals.

Sponsor Senator Davis moved the bill as amended to make active participation in cockfighting a Class A misdemeanor on first offense and to escalate to a third‑degree felony for repeat offenders. Davis said the change is necessary to end a “syndicated,” profitable criminal activity. “This is not a clean sport. This is a dirty sport. This is a blood sport,” Davis said, urging colleagues to approve stronger sanctions.

Opponents and some amendment sponsors argued for a more graduated penalty structure that would preserve a Class B misdemeanor for a first offense and step up penalties only for repeat conduct. Senator Henderson said she favored keeping the first two offenses as Class B misdemeanors, arguing that a lesser initial penalty can allow offenders to learn the law without immediate exposure to long incarceration. Senator Harper proposed language to make the second offense an elevated misdemeanor and the third a felony; that amendment failed in a division vote.

Debate focused on enforcement incentives and alignment with neighboring states. Supporters contended that felony penalties give law enforcement the authority and resources needed to dismantle organized cockfighting rings; detractors warned about over‑penalizing low‑level participants.

The question of final passage was called and the Senate recorded its roll call and procedural result in the chamber minutes; the bill, as amended, will be sent to the House for further consideration.

What happens next: Because the Senate approved the amended substitute, the measure will be transmitted to the House for its consideration and any further action there.