HB 1980 Summary

• Establishes two new felony offenses for bird fighting: cruelty to animals by fighting birds in the first degree (class C felony, class B felony if five or more birds involved) and second degree (petty misdemeanor, escalating to misdemeanor and class C felony with prior convictions).

• First degree offense covers knowingly causing, sponsoring, arranging, or holding bird fights; owning, training, or equipping birds for fighting; and allowing minors to attend fights, plus recklessly allowing fights on owned/controlled property.

• Second degree offense covers knowingly gambling on bird fights, attending fights, or possessing devices designed to enhance fighting ability (slashers, gaffs, knives, muffs).

• Imposes mandatory five-year prohibition on bird ownership for first degree convictions and allows property forfeiture under chapter 712A.

• Removes reference to "cock" fighting from existing animal cruelty statute (section 711-1109) to consolidate bird fighting laws under new dedicated sections.