For Immediate Release:
June 03, 2013

Media Contact:
Olga Vega
[email protected]
786-258-1635



Commissioner Jose “Pepe” Diaz urges Florida Legislator to impose stronger sentences for cases involving fighting or baiting animals


(Miami-Dade County, FL) -- 

With the number of cases involving animal fighting and baiting rapidly increasing in Miami-Dade County, on Tuesday, June 4, 2013 at the Board of County Commission meeting, Commissioner Jose “Pepe” Diaz will urge the Florida legislature to classify these heinous acts particularly “trunking” as a first degree felony.

Trunking involves placing two dogs in the trunk of a car, playing loud music and driving around for about 15 minutes until one of the dogs is dead. This is becoming a serious problem in Miami-Dade County, just last month, Miami-Dade County Animal Service rescued five pit bulls and four puppies in the Goulds area of the County after a call regarding trunking.

Last year, Commissioner Diaz sponsored an ordinance which defined acts of cruelty to animals and imposed penalties, tomorrow he will also co-sponsor an ordinance that would amend that original ordinance to include trunking and raise the penalty from $1,000 to $2,000 dollars.

Currently Florida Statutes section 828.122 makes the crime of animal fighting and/or baiting a third-degree felony, which is punishable by a term of imprisonment not to exceed 5 years and/or a fine not to exceed $5,000.

For more information, please contact Commissioner Diaz’s office at 305-599-1200.

 


 

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MIAMI-DADE COUNTY COMMISSIONER JOSE PEPE DIAZ DISTRICT 12
Stephen P. Clark Center
111 NW 1st Street, Suite 320 Miami, Florida 33128
(305) 375-4343