NY A01148

Establishes definitions for "animal fighting" (fights between animals or between animals and persons for amusement or gain) and "animal fighting paraphernalia" (equipment including breaking sticks, cat mills, treadmills, springpoles, and fighting pits).

Creates three tiered offenses for promoting animal fighting: third degree (Class B misdemeanor) for possessing paraphernalia or attending exhibitions; second degree (Class A misdemeanor) for owning animals intended for fighting or repeat offenders; and first degree (Class D felony) for causing, training, breeding, or selling animals for fighting.

Establishes "promoting enterprise animal fighting" as a Class C felony for engaging in continuous exhibitions with multiple animals or possessing more than six animals intended for fighting with prior convictions.

Authorizes fines up to $15,000 for second degree convictions, $25,000 for first degree convictions, and $35,000 for enterprise animal fighting convictions.

Permits courts to order forfeiture of animals used in animal fighting to animal welfare organizations upon conviction.