Maine animal fighting bill killed

AUGUSTA, Maine — A bill to make it a crime in Maine to posses animal fighting equipment has been killed.

The House of Representatives voted Tuesday against the measure, which had previously received a favorable Senate vote.

As amended by the Senate, the bill would have made possession of a dog-fighting pit a crime.

Opponents of the bill said there’s no evidence of dog fighting in Maine and that a law is not needed.

Supporters said anecdotal reports of dog fighting justify pre-emptive action by the Legislature.