Springfield Proposes Harsher Penalties for Dogfighting

New ordinance would impose $10,000 fine for animal abuse crime

Published on Mar. 2, 2026

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Springfield aldermen are considering a new ordinance that would impose harsher penalties, including a $10,000 fine, for dogfighting and other forms of animal abuse. The proposal comes after a recent arrest where injured and dead dogs were discovered on the accused man's property.

Why it matters

Dogfighting is a cruel and inhumane practice that causes immense suffering to animals. This new ordinance aims to send a strong message that such behavior will not be tolerated in the city and to deter future incidents of animal abuse.

The details

The proposed ordinance would make dogfighting a crime punishable by a $10,000 fine. Alderman Erin Conley endorsed the idea, stating that 'This sends a very strong message that it's not acceptable. A $10,000 fine is the message that we need to see.' The ordinance was inspired by a recent arrest where both injured and dead dogs were found on the accused man's property.

  • The Springfield City Council is expected to vote on the proposed ordinance on Tuesday, March 2, 2026.
  • The recent arrest that inspired the ordinance occurred in late February 2026.

The players

Erin Conley

A Springfield alderman who endorsed the proposed ordinance, stating that the $10,000 fine 'sends a very strong message that it's not acceptable.'

Roy Williams

A Springfield alderman who used the discussion of the proposed ordinance as an opportunity to voice his dissatisfaction with the performance of the Sangamon County Animal Control, which the city has long contracted with.

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What they’re saying

“This sends a very strong message that it's not acceptable. A $10,000 fine is the message that we need to see.”

— Erin Conley, Alderman (Capitol City Now)

“The contract's coming up, and it's egregious when they don't respond to our citizens about dangerous dogs as well, so we need to be thinking about how we are going to handle that instead of just blessing them with the contract.”

— Roy Williams, Alderman (Capitol City Now)

What’s next

The Springfield City Council is expected to vote on the proposed ordinance on Tuesday, March 2, 2026.

The takeaway

This proposed ordinance demonstrates Springfield's commitment to cracking down on animal abuse and sending a strong message that dogfighting and other forms of cruelty will not be tolerated in the city. It also raises questions about the performance of the city's contracted animal control services and the need for potential changes to ensure better responsiveness to citizen concerns about dangerous animals.