Members of the Humane Society said Congressman Bob Goodlatte's status has grown significantly in the House of Representatives. It's because of this, they need him to focus on House Bill 366.

That bill aims to close a loophole in the federal animal fighting law where spectators of those acts are not punished. This is a problem because usually the funding for fights come from those spectators.

Animal fighting isn't just bad for the animals involved, it can also harm a community.

“Animal fighting brings with it other crimes. The DEA has found, for example, that a lot of narcotics trafficking has gone on in animal fighting pits. Stopping animal fighting is good for pets, it's good for all animals, and it's good for our communities,” said John Goodwin, director of animal cruelty policy.

Members of the Humane Society have been trying to get the loophole closed and that effort just barely failed last time Congress met. Now, they're hoping to get Congressman Goodlatte on their side by reaching out to key Goodlatte supporters in Harrisonburg and Staunton.

If the bill passes, spectators of animal fights could get up to a year in prison and three years for taking a child to an event.

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