Atlanta, Chicago Taking the Bite out of Dogfighting

January 17, 2008

	©Bevan/The HSUS
	Greg Norred of Norred & Associates will manage the dogfighting tip hotline in Georgia.

For citizens in Atlanta and in Chicago, it was hard to turn on the local news on Jan. 10 without seeing coverage of their cities' new anti-dogfighting efforts. Both have teamed up with The HSUS to publicize a new rewards program that offers as much as $5,000 (made possible by a generous donation from the Ware Foundation) and tip lines for turning in dogfighters.

Picking off Dogfighters in the Peach State

Atlanta's attention to the issue of dogfighting is particularly acute, given that the city played home to America's most infamous dogfighter, former Atlanta Falcon Michael Vick. It's no surprise that Atlanta's citizens want to see the bloodsport dissociated from their city and from Georgia.

Fortunately, that task will be more easily accomplished with the establishment of a new Georgia tip line: 877-TIP-HSUS (operated and donated by Norred & Associates). The HSUS is also offering as much as $5,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of anyone involved in animal fighting. Together with Senator Chip Rogers' efforts to strengthen Georgia's weak dogfighting laws, it's a sure bet that Georgia will soon be seeing a swift decline in dogfighting in the state.

©Bevan/The HSUS
The Chicago Police Department announced its partnership with The HSUS against animal fighting.

Blowing Away Abuse in the Windy City

Chicago struggled against animal fighting long before the Vick case spotlighted the issue. For the past two years, the Windy City has served as the testing grounds for The HSUS's End Dogfighting program, which provides specialized police training about dogfighting, educational campaigns targeted to youth, and street-level intervention with potential dogfighters.

Now, with the Chicago Police Department officially on board with The HSUS, our anti-dogfighting efforts will have a sharper bite. People with knowledge of dogfighting can call a special tip line (800-535-STOP) and receive as much as $5,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the suspected animal fighter.

Chicago law enforcement recently conducted a study that found that 65 percent of the people arrested for animal abuse crimes—including dogfighting—were also arrested for violent crimes against people.

	The HSUS' new Rewards program is spreading.

More to Come

Atlanta and Chicago's ramped-up efforts targeting animal fighters are just the latest in a string of law enforcement partnerships with The HSUS on the issue. In the last few months, Attorneys General in three states—South Carolina, Ohio and Connecticut—announced their own hotlines and participation in the reward program.

Additionally, Delaware's Rep. Mike Castle recently announced his partnership with The HSUS in combating animal fighting, which includes his recording of a public service announcement advertising The HSUS's new rewards program.  

As more and more lawmakers and communities join The HSUS's campaign against animal fighting, it marks the beginning of the end for animal fighters and their bloody activities in the United States.  

Take Action!

If you'd like to be a part of the solution to the nationwide dogfighting problem, support federal legislation to toughen penalties for dogfighting.

Related Links

HSUS Rewards

Dogfighting

Dogfighting Fact Sheet

Ranking of State Dogfighting Laws

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