A bill to increase penalties for people who attend illegal dogfights has been unanimously approved by the Maryland Senate, the Associated Press reported yesterday -- but it's a watered down version of what was originally proposed.

The original bill would have made it a felony to knowingly attend an illegal dogfight or cockfight, but the Senate decided to keep the crime a misdemeanor. The original bill would have increased the maximum penalty from 90 days in jail to three years in prison. Instead, the amended version increases it to one year in prison and a $2,500 fine.

A separate animal fighting bill has been rejected by a House committee, leading to some doubts about whether Maryland lawmakers will agree on a bill this year.