Huge Crackdown on Dog Fighting With Help from ASPCA
One of the biggest crackdowns on dog fighting in the history of the United States took place last week, on July 8, 2009 by Federal and State agencies, with the help of the ASPCA. So far eight states have been involved; Illinois, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Mississippi, Iowa, Texas, Nebraska and Missouri, with arrests made in all these states.
ASPCA Team members in Missouri assisting in the raid
Under the direction of the Humane Society of Missouri's (HSMO) Animal Cruelty Task Force, nearly 400 dogs were transported to a safe and secure location. While the dogs await final disposition by the U.S. Federal Court, they will be cared for and protected at this facility.
The ASPCA will ultimately be responsible for evaluating dogs who are appropriate for adoptable, based on their behavior and health. It may be possible for many of the other dogs to be retrained and eventually find new forever homes.
ASPCA President and CEO Mr. Ed Sayers commented, "The ASPCA is determined to protect the nation's pets from dog fighting and other forms of brutality. Animal cruelty cannot be tolerated, and we are proud to lend our support to federal and local agencies to ensure that these abusers are brought to justice."
The special ASPCA forensic cruelty investigation team, which includes disaster rescuers, field service investigators and the nation's top forensic veterinarian, Dr. Melinda Merck will lend a hand to collect evidence for the prosecution of criminal cases, based on a request of the HSMO. The Mobile Animal Crime Scene Investigation Unit of the ASPCA, which is equipped with medical equipment for animals in need, will be active in this endeavor as well.
Dog fighting is now a felony in all 50 states, and, as such, is banned throughout the United States. Those individuals who are arrested on charges of subjecting dogs to fighting, if found guilty may face up to five years imprisonment.
The ASPCA needs your support. It takes substantial amount dollars to fund programs such as this, and to be able to rescue and re-home many of these dogs to forever loving homes. Most of them have never known the touch of a gentle, kind hand. But with generous support, this work can continue, and will additionally, allow their experts to gather necessary evidence to build cases against people who continue to break the law, and prosecute those engaged in such cruelty to animals.
For those who wish to help the ASPCA with this project, visit their website at: http://www.aspca.org/. Scroll down to the story about their rescue of fighting dogs.
What feelings are engendered by you when you hear about the continuation of dog-fighting? Leave a comment and share.
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Comments (4)
jmuhj July 21, 2009 2:51 PM
While I personally loathe dogs, I oppose cruelty to ANY living being, so I am glad to see that finally, the law is being taken seriously. It is also heartening to me because other living beings also suffer and die in the dogfighting industry, and the public is made even more callous, apathetic, desensitized and bloodthirsty by any association with these atrocities. Indeed, it is high time the laws are applied and enforced. When all life is held sacred and all cruelty punished accordingly, society will begin to be truly civilized. I look forward to that day.
Vicki July 21, 2009 4:07 PM
I am so glad that dog fighting is now a felony. Maybe it will help with this horrible situation. I also wish they would make cock fighting a felony as well. Any kind of animal fighting should be banned, and I hope it will pass soon.
lj July 21, 2009 8:01 PM
Fighting dogs is one of the cruelest of acts done to dogs. I don't know how anyone could view this as entertainment. But apparently there are those that do! This is unfortunate indeed. I'm glad it's a felony and punishable by jail time and/or fines. No animal fighting should be tolerated by the public!
Amy July 22, 2009 8:56 AM
Totally agree with the two above. It is brutal, vicious, and the law should be enforced to the fullest possible max allowed.
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