# Mont. Code Ann. § 45-8-210: 45-8-210 Causing animals to fight -- owners, trainers, and spectators -- penalties -- exception -- definition

> Montana · Statutes · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MT_T45_C8_P2_S45-8-210

## Section

- **Citation:** Mont. Code Ann. § 45-8-210
- **Heading:** 45-8-210 Causing animals to fight -- owners, trainers, and spectators -- penalties -- exception -- definition
- **Jurisdiction:** Montana
- **Kind:** Statutes
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** MT Code / Title 45 / Chapter 8 / Part 2 / Section 45-8-210

## Text

45-8-210 . Causing animals to fight -- owners, trainers, and spectators -- penalties -- exception -- definition. (1) A person commits the offense of causing animals to fight if the person:

(a) owns, possesses, keeps, or trains any animal with the intent that the animal fight or be engaged in an exhibition of fighting with another animal;

(b) allows or causes any animal to fight with another animal or causes any animal to menace or injure another animal for the purpose of sport, amusement, or gain;

(c) knowingly permits any act in violation of subsection (1)(a) or (1)(b) to take place on any premises under the person's charge or control or aids or abets any act described in subsection (1)(a) or (1)(b);

(d) participates in any exhibition in which animals are fighting for the purpose of sport, amusement, or gain.

(2) A person convicted of violating this section is guilty of a felony and shall be fined an amount not to exceed $5,000 or be imprisoned in the state prison for a term of not less than 1 year or more than 5 years, or both.

(3) Nothing in this section prohibits the following:

(a) accepted husbandry practices used in the raising of livestock or poultry;

(b) the use of animals in the normal and usual course of rodeo events; or

(c) the use of animals in hunting and training as permitted by law.

(4) For purposes of this section, "animal" means any cock, bird, dog, or mammal except a human.

## Nearby sections

- [Mont. Code Ann. § 45-8-201 45-8-201 Obscenity](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MT_T45_C8_P2_S45-8-201.md)
- [Mont. Code Ann. § 45-8-203 45-8-203 Certain motion picture theater employees not liable for prosecution](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MT_T45_C8_P2_S45-8-203.md)
- [Mont. Code Ann. § 45-8-205 45-8-205 Definitions](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MT_T45_C8_P2_S45-8-205.md)
- [Mont. Code Ann. § 45-8-206 45-8-206 Public display or dissemination of obscene material to minors](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MT_T45_C8_P2_S45-8-206.md)
- [Mont. Code Ann. § 45-8-207 45-8-207 Notice of violation](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MT_T45_C8_P2_S45-8-207.md)
- [Mont. Code Ann. § 45-8-208 45-8-208 Penalties](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MT_T45_C8_P2_S45-8-208.md)
- [Mont. Code Ann. § 45-8-209 45-8-209 Harming a police dog -- penalty -- definition](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MT_T45_C8_P2_S45-8-209.md)
- [Mont. Code Ann. § 45-8-210 45-8-210 Causing animals to fight -- owners, trainers, and spectators -- penalties -- exception -- definition](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MT_T45_C8_P2_S45-8-210.md)
- [Mont. Code Ann. § 45-8-211 45-8-211 Cruelty to animals -- exceptions](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MT_T45_C8_P2_S45-8-211.md)
- [Mont. Code Ann. § 45-8-212 45-8-212 Criminal defamation](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MT_T45_C8_P2_S45-8-212.md)
- [Mont. Code Ann. § 45-8-213 45-8-213 Privacy in communications](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MT_T45_C8_P2_S45-8-213.md)
- [Mont. Code Ann. § 45-8-214 45-8-214 Bribery in contests](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MT_T45_C8_P2_S45-8-214.md)
- [Mont. Code Ann. § 45-8-215 45-8-215 Desecration of flags](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MT_T45_C8_P2_S45-8-215.md)
- [Mont. Code Ann. § 45-8-216 45-8-216 Unlawful automated telephone solicitation -- exceptions -- penalties](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MT_T45_C8_P2_S45-8-216.md)

---

Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MT_T45_C8_P2_S45-8-210. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.