Tips For Animal Fighting Tips
The person who anonymously called 911 last fall to report rooster-related mayhem in Gardena probably wishes they held on just a little bit longer. The District Attorney and the Humane Society announced today they were doubling the reward to $5,000 for tips leading to the arrest and conviction of those involved in dogfighting and cockfighting activities.
Along with the reward, the organizations also announced that tipsters could call 211 to make an
animal cruelty report.
“Animal fighting not only promotes the mistreatment and killing of animals, it also makes communities vulnerable to byproduct crimes such as illegal gambling, assault, drugs and weapons,” District Attorney Steve Cooley said. “It is also widely recognized that those who abuse animals are more likely to engage in violence against humans.”
After the jump, check out some statistics on dogfighting and cockfighting, courtesy of the Humane Society:
- Dogfighting is a highly organized criminal industry; more than 250,000 dogs are placed in dogfighting pits each year.
- The HSUS estimates that 40,000 people are involved in organized dogfighting and an additional 100,000 are street-level fighters.
- A Chicago Police Department study showed that 65 percent of people charged with animal abuse crimes — including dogfighting — were also charged with violent crimes against people.
- Tens of thousands of people are involved in cockfighting nationwide.
- Common cockfighting practices include breeding birds for viciousness, drugging them to heighten aggression, and fitting their legs with razor-sharp knives or gaffs resembling ice picks on their legs.
- Law enforcement raids across the country have revealed that cockfights, which are frequently attended by children, often involve gambling and — as a result of the large amount of cash present — firearms and other weapons are also often present.
- Law enforcement officials have documented a strong connection between cockfighting and the distribution of illegal drugs
About the Blogger
Larry Altman has covered crime in the South Bay since 1990. He's seen it all - the missing model who turned up dead in the desert, the wives found dead in trunks, the high-school coaches who get a little too close to their players. He drives his young colleagues nuts with his "I remember when" stories. He welcomes your tips and observations about the present, and you can mix in a little Lakers basketball talk if you like.
E-mail Larry at larry.altman@dailybreeze.com.
ADVERTISEMENT
|
|
ADVERTISEMENT
|
|
Leave a comment