Evelyn here,
with the latest issue of the Attorney General Bill McCollum's Generally Speaking. Today issue is on illegal dog fight.
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Bill McCollum
Attorney General
News Release
__________________________________________________________
Date of release: May 28, 2008
Attorney General McCollum & Humane Society of U.S. Announce Program to Combat
Animal Fighting
TALLAHASSEE, FL— Florida Attorney General Bill McCollum and The
Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) today unveiled a cooperative
initiative to combat animal fighting in Florida. The Attorney General, the
Florida state director for HSUS and members of local law enforcement and
animal services communities gathered at the Capitol to announce a reward
program for information leading to the arrest and conviction of any person
involved in illegal animal fighting.
“Animal fighting is a violent crime that at times is associated with
illegal gangs, drugs, firearms and gambling, and I am pleased to announce
this reward program as an important combative tool,” said Attorney General
McCollum. “Florida will have no tolerance for people who abuse animals for
entertainment.”
Animal fighting, defined as fighting between roosters or other birds
or between dogs, bears, or other animals, is a third-degree felony in
Florida, punishable by up to five years in prison and up to $5,000 in fines
per count. The new reward program, which will offer up to $5,000 for
successful tips, will be funded by HSUS.
“Floridians are fortunate to have a champion against animal fighting
in Attorney General McCollum,” said Laura Bevan, Florida state director for
The HSUS. “We're proud to partner with him on this important program to
help put animal fighters behind bars.”
National statistics show dog fighting is a highly organized criminal
industry with more than 250,000 dogs placed in fighting pits each year. The
HSUS estimates that nationwide, 40,000 people are involved in organized dog
fighting and an additional 100,000 are street-level fighters. Authorities
investigated at least 25 cases of animal fighting in Florida in 2007 –
literally from one end of the state to the other, with open investigations
from Pensacola to Key West. Hundreds of dogs, birds and other animals were
found dead or injured.
Statistics have also shown persons involved in animal fighting are
frequently associated with other crimes. In a three-year study ending in
2004, Chicago police found that 59 percent of people involved in
dogfighting were known gang members and nearly all of them - 86 percent -
had been arrested at least twice. There was also a marked correlation
between animal fighting and crimes against people. The Chicago Police
Department noted that of the 300 people arrested on charges of animal
fighting, 65 percent had also been arrested for violent crimes against
people.
Leon County Sheriff Larry Campbell, past president of the Florida
Sheriff’s Association; Richard Ziegler, Director of Leon County Animal
Control and past president of the Florida Animal Control Association; and
John Calhoun, Director of Animal Services of Tallahassee were also on hand
to unveil the reward program and praised the HSUS for launching the program
in Florida.
Winston, a dog rescued in a 2007 Tallahassee dog fighting
investigation, was also present at today’s announcement. According to the
Humane Society, Winston’s former owner, Venice Giliam, recently pleaded
guilty to 10 counts of animal fighting and four counts of animal cruelty.
His sentencing is next month. Winston was believed to have been used a
“bait dog” because of his injuries and because he was separated from the
other dogs found at the residence.
Animal Fighting Reward Program Instructions:
If you have information about illegal animal fighting in Florida, you
may call The HSUS at 202-452-1100. Additionally, The HSUS and Attorney
General McCollum are pleased to partner with the Florida Association of
Crime Stoppers (FACS). Crime Stoppers programs offer the ability to remain
completely anonymous and still be eligible for a cash reward. A list of
Florida’s Crime Stoppers organizations can be found on the FACS website:
http://www.floridacrimestoppers.com.
The Humane Society of the United States is the nation's largest
animal protection organization - backed by 10.5 million Americans, or one
of every 30. For more than a half-century, The HSUS has been fighting for
the protection of all animals through advocacy, education, and hands-on
programs. More information is available online at
http://wwwhumanesociety.org.
Photographs from the event are available online at the following links:
http://myfloridalegal.com/webfiles.nsf/WF/KGRG-7F3QDA/$file/IMG_0954.jpg
http://myfloridalegal.com/webfiles.nsf/WF/KGRG-7F3Q9H/$file/IMG_0973.jpg
http://myfloridalegal.com/webfiles.nsf/WF/KGRG-7F3QEC/$file/IMG_0942.jpg
http://myfloridalegal.com/webfiles.nsf/WF/KGRG-7F3QES/$file/IMG_0941.jpg
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Evelyn out.
