Guam Takes a Bite Out of Dogfighting

July 25, 2008

Dogfighting Now a Felony in the US Territory

The Humane Society of the United States commends acting Gov. Mike Cruz for signing a bill into law on Tuesday making dogfighting a felony in Guam, and also thanks Guam Animals in Need for their strong advocacy of increasing the penalties for the cruel blood sport.

"Dogfighting criminals exploit the innate loyalty that dogs have toward humans for nothing more than to feed their own sick sense of entertainment," said Inga Gibson, Hawaii state director for The HSUS. "The Guam Police Department now has the tools necessary to aggressively root dogfighting out from the dark corners where it festers."

The new law makes dogfighting a third degree felony, punishable by a minimum 90 days of imprisonment and a mandatory $3,000 fine.

The HSUS offers up to $5,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of anyone involved in animal fighting. The HSUS's animal fighting reward program has been made possible thanks to a grant by the Holland M. Ware Charitable Foundation. For more information about our reward program, visit humanesociety.org/rewards.

Dogfighting is a sadistic "contest" in which two dogs — specifically bred, conditioned and trained to fight — are placed in a pit (generally a small arena enclosed by plywood walls) to fight each other for the spectators' entertainment and gambling. Fights average nearly an hour in length and often last more than two hours. Dogfights end when one of the dogs will not or cannot continue.

Broadcast-quality dogfighting footage is 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.