Help us put an end to dogfighting and create strong laws for animals so criminals like Michael Vick receive meaningful sentences! Contact your state legislators today!

Although animal fighting is illegal in all 50 states, the Animal Legal Defense Fund is working to make such crimes easier to prosecute and punishable by stronger penalties. ALDF has drafted a recommended amendment to state laws that would enable prosecutors to charge dogfighters under the respective state's Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organization Act (commonly referred to as "RICO") statute. Applied to animal fighting, RICO - which was originally designed to be a weapon against a wide variety of organized criminal efforts, including drug dealing and gambling - would give prosecutors increased muscle in seeking justice for the animals abused, and, as in the Vick case, even executed by their owners.

Take action by writing to your state legislators today about enacting or enhancing your state's RICO law. ALDF can provide our model law that was enacted in Virginia, and can also provide your legislators with a detailed legislative analysis of your state's laws to provide customized solutions for your state.