Calderon, dogfights and your property

Our local Sen. Ron Calderon, D-Montebello, is proposing legislation that would allow authorities to seize property used for dogfighting, the Sac Bee reports. But Sen. Gloria Romero, D-Los Angeles, along with the ACLU, have serious concerns over the forfeiture power the bill allows. The story does not address, however, what prompted the Calderon to propose the bill.

Legislation that would allow authorities in California to seize property used for dogfighting dissolved Tuesday into a battle pitting canine lovers against the American Civil Liberties Union and defense attorneys.

The Senate Public Safety Committee put off a vote until next week after the ACLU and the California Public Defenders Association expressed concern the bill would elevate punishment for dogfighting to a level not accorded crimes against humans, including murder.

Senate Bill 1775 by Sen. Ron Calderon, D-Montebello, would allow the forfeiture of property used for dogfighting.

"What makes this measure different from past forfeiture measures this committee has seen is that the proceeds go to animal welfare organizations who rescue and rehabilitate fighting dogs," Calderon said before the hearing.

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But Francisco Lobaco, legislative director for the ACLU, told the Senate committee his organization "very strongly opposes" SB 1775.

"The Legislature has been extremely cautious in the type of crimes for which it allows asset forfeiture," Lobaco said.

He cited "serious drug offenses" as a rare example, but noted forfeiture does not apply to "murder, mayhem, kidnapping, and a variety of more serious crimes."