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SB 916

Criminal Offenses - As enacted, expands the definition of "racketeering activity" to include committing, conspiring to commit, aiding, attempting to aid, soliciting, coercing, facilitating, or intimidating another person to commit the criminal offense of animal fighting. - Amends TCA Title 39.

114th Regular Session (2025-2026) Introduced by Ferrell Haile

Tennessee law now allows racketeering charges for organizing, conspiring in, or facilitating animal fighting operations, effective July 1, 2025.

Pub. Ch. 264
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Bill Summary · SB 916

Legislative bill overview

SB 916 expands Tennessee's racketeering law (RICO statutes) to include animal fighting activities and related facilitation. The bill makes it illegal not just to engage in animal fighting, but also to conspire, coerce, facilitate, intimidate, or aid others in committing animal fighting offenses. This enhancement allows prosecutors to pursue organized crime charges against networks involved in animal fighting operations.

Why is this important

Animal fighting is a serious felony involving animal cruelty, and underground fighting rings often involve organized criminal enterprises. By adding animal fighting to racketeering definitions, law enforcement gains stronger tools to dismantle organized operations and pursue participants across broader criminal conspiracy networks. This can result in enhanced penalties and longer sentences for those involved in systematic animal fighting enterprises.

Potential points of contention

  • Scope of "facilitating": The broad definition of facilitation could theoretically capture peripheral participants (venue owners, spectators, breeders) who argue they didn't directly commit the offense, raising concerns about overreach
  • RICO charges severity: Adding animal fighting to racketeering may result in significantly enhanced sentences compared to standalone animal cruelty charges, which some argue may be disproportionate depending on individual involvement level
  • Enforcement burden: Law enforcement must distinguish between organized racketeering operations and isolated animal fighting incidents, requiring additional resources and investigation expertise

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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