Amends TCA Title 39, Chapter 14, Part 2.

This bill increases the classification of the following criminal offenses from a Class A misdemeanor to a Class E felony: <br /> <br /> (1) Own, possess, keep, use, or train any cock for the purpose of cockfighting;<br /> <br /> (2) Cause, for amusement, sport or gains, a cock to fight or injure another animal; or <br /> <br /> (3) Permit any acts stated in (1) or (2) to be done on any premises under the person's charge or control, or aid and abet in those acts. <br /> <br /> Under present law, it is a Class A misdemeanor offense for a person to be knowingly present, as a spectator, at any place or building where preparations are being made for an exhibition for the fighting, baiting, or injuring of any animal, with the intent to be present at the exhibition, fighting, baiting of inuring. The penalty for a Class A misdemeanor is generally imprisonment of up to 11 months and 29 days or a fine up to $2,500, or both. This bill establishes a mandatory minimum fine of $1,000 when such offense involves a spectator cockfight. <br />