The Gaithersburg, Md-based Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) is urging Georgia lawmakers to approve proposed legislation that would strengthen the state’s laws against dog fighting. While dog fighting is already a felony in Georgia, the new law also would make it a crime to be a spectator at a dog fight, ban the possession of fighting dogs and increase penalties for breaking the law.

Georgia’s Senate approved the bill, H.B. 301, on Wednesday, and the House is currently considering it. “The [HSUS] now urges that this anti-crime measure is quickly sent to Gov. [Sonny] Perdue’s desk for his signature, thereby giving our state’s law enforcement agencies the tools that they need to stamp out this cruel blood sport,” said Cheryl McAuliffe, HSUS’ Georgia state director.

Georgia ranked last in HSUS’ analysis of state dog fighting laws released last September. The new law will be one of the strongest in the nation, according to HSUS.