Law Enforcement Officials Honored at 2008 Humane Law Enforcement Awards

November 24, 2008

	©The HSUS
	The HSUS's Mike Markarian and Wayne Pacelle gave awards to Mike and Sheila Luff, as well as Prentiss County Sheriff Joey Clark, for their work in busting a dogfighting ring.

The Humane Society of the United States honored various law enforcement agencies during the 2008 Humane Law Enforcement Awards ceremony, which took place in Alexandria, Va., on Nov. 22.

This annual awards ceremony pays tribute to those in law enforcement who made the most meaningful progress against animal abusers in the last year.

The awards ceremony, co-sponsored by The HSUS and the National District Attorneys Association, featured remarks from Michael Markarian, executive vice president of external affairs for The HSUS, and Steve Janssen, director of the National Center for Community Prosecution at the NDAA.

"We applaud these dedicated and hard-working law enforcement officials and compassionate citizens for their tremendous work to bring animal abusers to justice," Markarian said. "These leaders have made a very meaningful impact in the lives of animals and in their communities, and we celebrate their work to create a more humane society."

	©The HSUS
	Tennessee District Attorney General Kim Helper and Special Agent Barry Carroll were honored for their work in shutting down a massive puppy mill.

Award recipients are as follows:

• Virginia Attorney General Bob McDonnell, Deputy Attorney General Michelle Welch and Assistant Attorney General Frank Ferguson for their leadership in helping to transform the mmonwealth from having one of the weakest animal fighting laws in the country to one of the strongest;
• Hickman County (Tenn.) District Attorney General Kim Helper and Special Agent Barry Carroll for shutting down a puppy mill operation and prosecuting its owner;
• San Bernardino County (Calif.) District Attorney Michael Ramos, Deputy District Attorney Debbie Ploghaus and Inland Valley Humane Society Humane Investigator Beth Les for prosecuting Hallmark Meat Company employees for animal cruelty;
• Pima County (Ariz.) Sheriff's Department Detective Therese Deschenes and Sgt. Terry Parish, along with Humane Society of Southern Arizona President and CEO Amy Eades for raiding a nationally significant dogfighting operation;
• Prentiss County (Miss.) Deputy Joey Clark and Mike and Sheila Luff, who received the inaugural tipster award, for busting a dogfight in progress despite being greatly outnumbered;
• Norred & Associates Inc. and the Holland M. Ware Charitable Foundation for making contributions that have led to an unprecedented national effort to stop some of the country's largest and most prolific dogfighting operations.

The number of reported animal fighting arrests has doubled nationally within the last three years. A study released by the Chicago Police Department revealed that 65 percent of the people charged with animal abuse crimes were also charged with violent crimes against people. Additionally, 70 percent of those charged with animal abuse crimes had also been charged with illegal narcotics crimes. 

Related Links

Animal Cruelty

Dogfighting Fact Sheet

Cockfighting Fact Sheet

Resources for Law Enforcement and Prosecutors