Want to make Five Thousand dollars?

July 26, 2007

Michael Vick and others like him, have made a name for themselves and not in a good way.

This just in from the SPCA of Texas.

The SPCA is now offering a $5,000 reward "for information leading to the arrest and conviction of any individual involved in dog fighting in the State of Texas."

The reward was announced shortly after 10 a.m. in a press release.

The SPCA statement said the reward was being issued "for the sake of our beloved pets, our families and our community."

Report any animal cruelty and any dog fighting "to your local law enforcement and to the SPCA of Texas at www.spca.org/cruelty or 214-742-7722," the statement says.

It continues: "The most recent headlines of pro-football player Michael Vick’s indictment for 'conspiracy to travel in interstate commerce in aid of unlawful activities and to sponsor a dog in an animal fighting venture' and animal cruelty have brought this terrifying issue to the forefront of our national consciousness again. Vick and three others face $350,000 in fines and six years in prison if convicted of the federal charges, and additional state charges of animal cruelty are still under investigation.
"Here in Texas, during the 2007 legislative session, Texas lawmakers proved that they stand strongly against the inhumane crime of dog fighting by stepping up the penalties of those convicted of dog fighting. Beginning September 1, 2007, the penalty for dog fighting increases from a Class A misdemeanor to a state jail felony and the punishment for attending a dog fighting exhibition increases from a Class C misdemeanor to a Class A misdemeanor.

"Let’s take this opportunity to come together and stamp out animal cruelty and abuse of all types."

You may also wish to get involved with that legislative process by joining forces with the Texas Humane Legislation Network, which lobbied vigorously last session to help guide the state legislature toward a more humane Texas. Click HERE.

Remember, folks, you may think only pit bulls and big ol' dogs are involved in dog-fighting -- but just plain family pets often are stolen and wind up being "bait" and "training dogs." These dog-fighting people are not law-abiding citizens. In addition to illegal gambling, the atmosphere of dog-fighting includes illegal weapons and drug dealing. The two usually go hand-in-hand. Is this the kind of 'sport' you want your children exposed to?

Dog Fighting - Don't Be An Unintentional Victim, Be Informed!

Jennifer Sullivan is an animal evaluator for a local nonprofit agency that deals with animal welfare. You can reach her at albertparrot@aol.com

The other day, after my dog ran up to greet my neighbor, we started to chat. She told me about a show she watched on "Animal Planet" about dog fighting. She, like many people, didn't realize the extent of animal abuse until it was exposed by the media.

Realizing she had seen a pretty graphic introduction, I spared her the details of how that very day I had flushed out gaping flesh wounds on a Rottweiler, or the half-dead pit bull, body covered in blood, who I put to sleep earlier that day.

Both of the dogs, found as strays, most likely got their injuries from dog fighting -- deliberate fighting arranged by humans. While a felony in Michigan and most states, dog fighting is still a harsh reality. The vicious "sport" usually involves two dogs bred and trained to fight.  

Fights are typically held in small enclosed spaces called pits, where spectators -- including children -- watch as these animals fight to the death. Those who survive are typically left with life-threatening injuries, including deep puncture wounds and broken bones. In addition to violence and animal cruelty, dog fighting is usually accompanied by illegal gambling, drugs and firearms.

For those who believe dog fighting is confined to the inner cities, think again. Your neighbors may not be running a dog fighting ring, but every dog that is left unsupervised and every cat that is allowed to roam is at risk.

People with bad intentions typically steal and use small dogs, cats and rabbits for use as "training" or "bait" animals. In addition, owners of dog fighting rings will routinely scan the ads of newspapers looking for "free to a good home" ads. As you can imagine, these animals are no match for a conditioned pit bull.

According to the Michigan Penal Code, organizing a dog fight is a felony, while being a spectator is only a misdemeanor. However, it's the spectators that allow dog fighters to stay in business.

Write to your state legislators and ask them to increase penalties for even knowingly attending a dog fight. Also, a bill has been introduced in Congress that would make interstate trafficking of animals used for fighting a felony.