The Vermont Statutes Online
The Statutes below include the actions of the 2025 session of the General Assembly.
NOTE: The Vermont Statutes Online is an unofficial copy of the Vermont Statutes Annotated that is provided as a convenience.
Subchapter
003
:
GENERAL PROVISIONS
(Cite as: 13 V.S.A. § 364)
-
§ 364. Animal fights
(a) A person who participates in a fighting exhibition of animals shall be in violation
of subdivisions 352(5) and (6) of this title.
(b) Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, in addition to seizure of fighting
birds or animals involved in a fighting exhibition, a law enforcement officer or humane
officer may seize:
(1) any equipment associated with that activity;
(2) any other personal property which is used to engage in a violation or further a violation
of subdivisions 352(5) and (6) of this title; and
(3) monies, securities, or other things of value furnished or intended to be furnished
by a person to engage in or further a violation of subdivisions 352(5) and (6) of
this title.
(c) In addition to the imposition of a penalty under this chapter, conviction under this
section shall result in forfeiture of all seized fighting animals, equipment, and
other property subject to seizure under this section. The animals may be destroyed
humanely or otherwise disposed of as directed by the court.
(d) Property subject to forfeiture under this subsection may be seized upon process issued
by the court having jurisdiction over the property. Seizure without process may be
made:
(1) incident to a lawful arrest;
(2) pursuant to a search warrant; or
(3) if there is probable cause to believe that the property was used or is intended to
be used in violation of this section.
(e) Forfeiture proceedings instituted pursuant to the provisions of this section for property
other than animals are subject to the procedures and requirements for forfeiture as
set forth in 18 V.S.A. chapter 84, subchapter 2. (Added 1989, No. 270, (Adj. Sess.), § 2; amended 2015, No. 53, § 2.)