Animal Fighting Penalties
HB 341 amends Utah's animal fighting laws to strengthen penalties for dog fighting, game fowl fighting, and attending such events. It clarifies that owning dog fighting equipment (like breaking sticks or treadmills) is evidence of intent to commit a crime, and creates new offenses for promoting or attending game fowl fights. The bill directly affects individuals who organize, participate in, or spectate dog or game fowl fights, including those allowing minors to attend. Penalties range from class B misdemeanors for first-time attendance or minor offenses to third-degree felonies for repeat dog fighting violations.
Bill status
passed
4 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2026
Committee Review
Mar 2026
House Passage
Feb 2026
Senate Passage
Feb 2026
Governor
Introduced Jan 23, 2026
Last action Mar 7, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons
What changed between versions
Amended Excerpts 2/19/2026 13:02:808
→
Amended 2/19/2026 13:02:808
·
5 edits
MODERATE
This bill amends Utah's animal fighting laws to increase penalties for dog fighting from misdemeanors to a felony, clarifies definitions of dog fighting paraphernalia, and adds a new offense for attending game fowl fights. The changes make dog fighting a third-degree felony with fines up to $25,000, while maintaining misdemeanor penalties for attending dog fights.
Scope change
The bill expands enforcement scope by adding game fowl fighting as a distinct offense and strengthens penalties for dog fighting activities.
ENFORCEMENT
Dog fighting penalties increased from class B misdemeanor to third-degree felony with maximum fine of $25,000
SCOPE
New offense created for attending game fowl fights or related activities
DEFINITION
Clarified definition of dog fighting paraphernalia to include specific training equipment like breaking sticks, treadmills, and hot walkers
REQUIREMENT
Reorganized and clarified the specific prohibited acts in dog fighting, game fowl fighting, and attendance sections
TECHNICAL
Updated bill formatting, dates, and section numbering to conform to current legislative standards
Floor votes · House Feb 26, 2026
How they voted
This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
30
Key actions
5
Committee
5
Amendments
2
Mar 4, 2026
Upper · Passed
Senate/ committee report favorable [Senate Judiciary, Law Enforcement, and Criminal Justice Committee]
upper
Mar 3, 2026
Upper · Passed
Senate Comm - Favorable Recommendation [Senate Judiciary, Law Enforcement, and Criminal Justice Committee]
upper
Feb 27, 2026
Committee
Senate/ to standing committee [Senate Judiciary, Law Enforcement, and Criminal Justice Committee]
upper
Feb 27, 2026
Introduced
Senate/ 1st reading (Introduced)
upper
Feb 26, 2026
Upper · Passed
House/ passed 3rd reading
upper
Feb 19, 2026
Lower · Passed
House/ comm rpt/ amended [House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee]
lower
Feb 19, 2026
Lower · Passed
House Comm - Favorable Recommendation [House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee]
lower
Feb 19, 2026
Introduced
House Comm - Amendment Recommendation [House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee]
lower
Feb 11, 2026
Committee
House/ to standing committee [House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee]
lower
Jan 23, 2026
Introduced
House/ 1st reading (Introduced)
lower
1 primary · 1 co-sponsor
Sponsors
Ask Maddy
·
AI policy assistant
Ask Maddy about HB 341
Scope: UT
Hi! I can help you understand HB 341. What would you like to know?
Try one of these
i
Maddy answers using official bill text and legislative records. Always verify before sharing.
Sources cited inline