D.C. Animal Fighting Program Begins

	©Chynoweth/The HSUS
	D.C. Chief of Police Cathy Lanier, here with The HSUS's Chris Schindler, called dogfighting "a most inexcusable form of animal cruelty."

Some heavy hitters have teamed up against animal fighting in the District of Columbia. Police Chief Cathy Lanier, Councilmember Mary Cheh, The Humane Society of the United States and Washington Humane Society will combat cockfighting and dogfighting in D.C.

At a press conference held yesterday at the John A. Wilson building, they announced that The HSUS is offering up to $5,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of any person involved in illegal animal fighting.

"The Humane Society of the United States' reward offering $5,000 for information about animal fighting criminals has been very successful in many states," said John Goodwin, manager of animal fighting issues for The HSUS. "We hope that this reward program will help bring animal fighting criminals to justice for their cruel actions."

Cockfighting and dogfighting are felony crimes in the district, punishable by up to five years of imprisonment and/or a maximum $25,000 fine.

Inexcusable Cruelty

"Forcing two animals to mutilate each other, for greed and entertainment, is a most inexcusable form of animal cruelty," Chief Lanier said. "Such cruel behavior is simply not tolerated in the district."

"This reward program combined with the District's newly strengthened animal fighting laws is the right combination to dry up the market for this cruel and sickening behavior," Councilmember Cheh said.

Also participating in this press conference was Lisa LaFontaine, president and CEO of the Washington Humane Society. WHS is responsible for protecting animals in the district from cruelty and harm in addition to being responsible for uncovering and investigating animal fighting cases.

Animal fighting "contests" are abhorrent spectacles in which animals are pitted in bloody duels—often to the death—for human entertainment. These cruel and illicit encounters are spawning grounds for other criminal activities, including drugs and violence, dragging down entire communities. Credible studies and law enforcement experts agree that people who engage in this kind of violence against animals are likely to exert violence against people.

This reward program has been made possible thanks to a grant by the Holland M. Ware Charitable Foundation.

To Submit a Tip

• If you have information about illegal animal fighting in D.C., call your local law enforcement or animal control agency. If you wish to remain anonymous, let the agent whom you give your tip to know that you do not want your identity released to the public, but are interested in The HSUS's reward. Make sure to note the officer's name.
• If the suspected animal fighter is convicted, ask the law enforcement agency involved in the case to write a letter to The HSUS.
• The letter should state that your tip helped lead to the arrest and prosecution of the convicted animal fighter and should be mailed or faxed to:

Animal Fighting Reward Program
c/o Ann Chynoweth
The Humane Society of the United States
2100 L St. NW
Washington, DC 20037
FAX: 301-721-6414

Related Links

Campaign Tackles Urban Dogfighting

Dogfighting Fact Sheet

Taking Action to End Dogfighting: How to Spot the Signs and What You Can Do