Dogfighting

Dogfighting

Dogfighting is a sport which has historically thrived on its ability to convince society that it does not exist. Through surreptitious meetings and hidden locations, the participants in this “sport” have, for the most part, succeeded in avoiding the attention of both the general public and those agencies whose job it is to combat them. When told about dogfighting, most people express a sincere disbelief that this activity still occurs. It is hoped that by alerting those in positions of public responsibility, dogfighting will lose its invisibility and become the subject of effective law enforcement.

Animal cruelty and dogfighting often involve participants who have been or will be involved in many other serious crimes. Law Enforcement must plan a course of action to bring together community oriented resources so this crime can be stopped.

Why Investigate and Prosecute Dogfighting?

At a time when the resources of law enforcement agencies are often spread thin, some may question the importance of using these resources to respond to dogfighting and other crimes against animals. However, the reasons are clear:

Dogfighting is a Crime

Dogfighting is illegal in all 50 states and the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands. As of 2009, dogfighting is a felony in all states. In most states, the possession of dogs for the purpose of fighting is also a felony offense. Being a spectator at a dogfight is currently a felony in a growing number of states. Go to www.animallaw.info/articles/ armpusanimalfighting.htm for a current state-by-state review of state dogfighting laws.

The federal Animal Fighting Prohibition Enforcement Act (2007) provides for felony penalties for interstate commerce, import and export relating to commerce in fighting dogs, fighting cocks, and cock fighting paraphernalia. Each violation can result in up to 3 years in jail and a $250,000 fine.

Dogfighting Can Be a “Gateway Crime”

Many communities report growing involvement of juvenile offenders in dogfighting, often as a part of gang involvement. The sense of power and control gained from having an aggressive dog, as well as the

potential financial gain, can lure juveniles into an underground scene that often includes other criminal activities.

Dogfighting is Associated with Many Other Crimes

In addition to the animal cruelty and illegal gambling that are at the core of dogfighting activity, virtually all dogfight raids involve the discovery and seizure of illegal drugs, and about two-thirds result in the seizure of illegal weapons. Such raids often result in the arrest of many offenders with outstanding warrants. Disputes over dogfights have also been associated with serious assaults and several homicides.

Dogfighting Destabilizes Communities

Dogfighting is a classic example of a “brokenwindow” crime. The evidence of its presence in an area may be very visible, particularly in the case of street fighting, but the difficulty of mounting an effective law enforcement response may create the perception that no one cares about the threats this crime presents to the community. By bringing together community-oriented resources, this crime can often be stopped.

Planning the Course of Action

Once the Task Force has identified the scope of the community problems associated with dogfighting, the stakeholders interested in changing the situation, and the desired changes, it can set goals and proposed methods for reaching those short and long-term objectives. The Problem Solving Planner suggests a variety of possible Response Methods that have been used in other communities. The Task Force should review these options and others that might be suggested by the group and prioritize several possible short and long term responses. In discussing these priorities, the group should consider:

● Has a particular response been tried before in the community and with what result?

● What obstacles might exist to the chosen response (institutional, legal, financial, etc.) and how can they be overcome?

● What other problems might be encountered (manpower, equipment, funding, space, interagency communications, community resistance, etc.) and how might they be overcome?

● How rapidly can this response be instituted?

● What measurable changes can be used to assess the effectiveness of the response?

It is unlikely that the resources will exist to

implement all the suggested responses immediately. The Task Force should focus on those that show the greatest promise for reducing the occurrence of the problem in the community. It may be useful to designate several subcommittees to develop details for the implementation and assessment of different proposed responses. For example, one working group might develop plans for community outreach and communication while a second focuses on issues related to the organizational or policy changes that might be needed to allow for a rapid coordinated response from several agencies when there are reports of dogfighting activity. Here are some suggested response methods that have been implemented in other communities:

Collaborations with Other Agencies

● Establish memoranda of agreement between police and animal care and control or humane law enforcement to coordinate rapid response to dog fight related calls

● Establish a dedicated hotline for local reporting of dogfighting activity

● Establish and publicize a local reward fund for information leading to dogfighting arrests in collaboration with Crimestoppers or other crime prevention groups

Collaborations with Other Professionals

● Alert members of groups that may come into contact with evidence of dogfighting to increase community concern and action (e.g., veterinarians, Social Services, other municipal services)

Provide Training / Cross Training for Professionals

● Provide training on basics of dogfighting for all police officers using elements of the Guide and the Online course, which is for law enforcement only

● Work with humane groups and breed groups to train police and other potential first responders on safe animal handling

● Train agencies likely to assist in dogfight operations on basics of Incident Command System that will be needed in large-scale responses

Legislative Action

● Work for increased state penalties for participants/organizers involved in dogfighting

● Work for increased penalties for spectators

● Seek legislation granting immunity to reporters of animal cruelty and dogfighting (e.g., veterinary professionals)

● Increase enforcement of animal control laws, licensing, dangerous dog laws

Educate the Community

● Use the media and public awareness materials to educate target communities to problems of dogfighting and increased law enforcement interest

● Take advantage of community events (street fairs, “Night Out,” etc.) to educate the community and seek information about local concerns

● Establish partnerships between law enforcement and local humane societies, SPCAs and Animal Care and Control to distribute and solicit information at animal-related events (dog walks, vaccination clinics, spay/neuter events, etc.)

● Address the “No-Snitching” culture that can interfere with effective community-oriented enforcement efforts

Target those Responsible

● Establish a “zero tolerance” approach to incidents of animal abuse and dogfighting

● Treat dogfighting as the serious, violent, major crime that it is. Work with area prosecutors to encourage charges for all crimes (e.g., animal cruelty, drugs, weapons, gambling) occurring in association with dogfighting

Target Locations

● Identify “hot spots” associated with potential dogfight activity and increase surveillance, patrols, and/ or community education efforts in these areas Institute Youth-Oriented Community Prevention

● Establish relationships with humane societies, SPCAs , breed rescue groups, and mentoring groups to support programs that foster positive relations with animals to potentially replace involvement in gang or dogfighting activity

Since animal cruelty and dogfighting are a growing concern for communities across the country, this increased concern is the recognition that these problems cannot be addressed by law enforcement and animal control alone. Effective solutions to animal related problems, including dogfighting, require the involvement of representatives from many segments of the community, including the public that may witness and report abuse, police and humane agencies that respond, prosecutors who will hold offenders accountable, and others who recognize the connections between animal cruelty and other forms of violence.