The HSUS Kicks off Campaign to Wipe Out Dogfighting in Georgia

January 10, 2008

ATLANTA — The Humane Society of the United States is kicking off a major campaign to help put an end to dogfighting in Georgia. At a press conference held today, The HSUS announced it is now offering up to $5,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of any person involved in dogfighting. This increase in The HSUS' reward, which was previously $2,500, has been made possible through a generous donation from the Holland M. Ware Charitable Foundation based in Hogansville, Ga.

The HSUS is also working with an Atlanta-based national corporate security agency to implement a toll-free line to report dogfighting: Norred & Associates will operate the hotline, evaluate the tips called into the hotline and forward them to the appropriate law enforcement agency. The hotline number is 877-TIP-HSUS (847-4787).

"We are immensely grateful to Norred & Associates and The Holland Ware Foundation for their dedication and firm commitment to ending the gruesome practice of dogfighting in the Peach State," said John Goodwin, manager of animal fighting issues for The HSUS. "With the increased reward and a hotline to report the crime, we hope Georgia residents will pick up the phone and report what they see in their communities."

In a recent HSUS study, Georgia was revealed to have the third weakest dogfighting law in the country. However, State Sen. Chip Rogers (R-Woodstock) has introduced legislation to strengthen the state's dogfighting law by increasing the penalties for the crime and making it illegal for a person to own, breed, purchase or transport a dog for the purpose of fighting or baiting. SB 16 passed in the Senate with a 54-0 vote in 2007 and now awaits a vote in the House of Representatives. If the bill is passed, Georgia's dogfighting law will shift from third weakest in the country to third strongest after New Jersey and Alabama.

"Dogfighting is a blood sport that is not only cruel, but degrading to our communities" said Sheriff Butch Conway of Gwinnett County.

Dogfighting pits two dogs against each other in fights that continue until one animal is dead, or maimed to the point that he cannot continue. Dogs used for fighting suffer gruesome, bloody injuries and often die for the sake of gambling and entertainment.  

Georgia Animal Fighting Reward Program Instructions: 

• If you have information about illegal dogfighting in Georgia, call 1-877-TIP-HSUS (847-4787) with your tip. 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. 

 Dogfighting Facts: 

• Dogfighting is a highly-organized criminal industry; more than 250,000 dogs are placed in dogfighting pits each year.
• About 40,000 people are involved in organized dogfighting and an additional 100,000 are street-level fighters.
• A three-year study released by the Chicago Police Department showed that 65 percent of the people arrested for animal abuse crimes—including dogfighting—were also arrested for violent crimes against people.

Broadcast quality footage and dogfighting 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 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