Alabama Attorney General and The HSUS Announce Animal Fighting Reward Program

August 6, 2008

Attorney General Troy King and The Humane Society of the United States have teamed up to combat cockfighting and dogfighting in Alabama. At a press conference held today at the Office of the Attorney General, 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.

"Animal fighting is a horribly cruel practice and anyone who participates in it should pay a price for their crime," Attorney General King said. "We are glad to partner with The Humane Society of the United States to offer this new reward and help put those who fight animals out of business for good."

Cockfighting and dogfighting are crimes in Alabama. Dogfighting is a Class C felony, punishable by up to 10 years of imprisonment and/or a maximum $5,000 fine. Cockfighting is a misdemeanor in Alabama, punishable by a maximum $50.00 fine. The HSUS currently ranks Alabama's cockfighting law as the weakest in the nation because the law has not been upgraded since it was enacted in 1896.

"The Humane Society of the United States is thrilled to have the support of Attorney General King in the battle to stamp out animal fighting, and we are looking forward to seeing Alabama join the 37 other states that punish cockfighting as a felony," said Mindy Gilbert, Alabama state director for The HSUS. "Although the current cockfighting penalties may have been strong deterrents when they were enacted a century ago, such a small fine by today's standards is seen as merely the cost of doing business. A $50 slap on the wrist doesn't come close to offsetting potential gambling winnings that run into the tens of thousands of dollars at large cockfight derbies."  

Also taking part in the press conference were Rea Cord, president of the Alabama Humane federation, Conan Devine, president of the Alabama Animal Control Association, Mike Lambert, Flomaton Police Chief and Renee Jones, director of the Escambia County Humane Society.

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.

Animal Fighting Reward Program Instructions:

• If you have information about illegal animal fighting in Alabama, 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

For more information about The HSUS' animal fighting reward program, call 301-258-1459.

Broadcast-quality footage and high-resolution animal fighting images are available at video.hsus.org.

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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. Celebrating animals and confronting cruelty — On the web at humanesociety.org.