ATLANTA -- A state lawmaker from metro Atlanta believes the Michael Vick case will give his anti-dogfighting bill some bite in the Legislature next year.

Rep. Bobby Reece sponsored a bill last session that would increase penalties for dogfighting in Georgia, but the bill stalled.

Reece believes the spotlight given to the Vick story will increase the chances of his bill passing early next year.

“I think awareness is the thing and now people know what to look for,” Reece said.

Reece is proposing a penalty of one to five years in prison and a $5,000 fine for a first offense.

For a second offense, the bill would punish dogfighters with up to 10 years in prison and a $15,000 fine.

Reece said dogfighting is a crime that must be stopped. He said he’s hopeful that Judge Henry Hudson, the man who will sentence Michael Vick Dec. 10, will ignore Vick’s celebrity status.

“If he's guilty, I would like to see him get the same sentence anyone else would get,” Reece said.