The HSUS Praises Oklahoma Law Enforcement Officials for Dogfighting Bust

May 25, 2004

DALLAS - The HSUS today applauded the work of the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs (OBN) and the Oklahoma Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners for their efforts that netted a reported 13 arrests and the confiscation of nearly 100 dogs apparently used for fighting.

The HSUS’ Jay Sabatucci arrived on the scene outside Oklahoma City this morning after the OBN alerted The HSUS about the impending bust.

“Many of the dogs had extensive, horrible injuries,” Sabatucci said. “It is evident that Oklahoma’s strong dog fighting law was invaluable in rooting out these operations and preventing further suffering of these animals.”

Sabatucci and his colleagues at The HSUS’ Southwest Regional Office in Dallas coordinated with the Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners and the Oklahoma City Animal Welfare Division to provide transport and care for the dogs. The condition of many of the trained fighting dogs is severe and they will likely be euthanized to prevent further suffering or danger to other animals or people.

“The scope of this investigation demonstrates that animal fighting is connected to other criminal behavior,” said Lou Guyton, director of The HSUS Southwest Regional Office. “In light of this I don’t see how the Oklahoma legislature can overturn the will of the voters to ban cockfighting.”

The House of Representatives could vote on a measure that would place a referendum on the November ballot to legalize cockfighting and related activities. The bill, S.B. 835, passed the Oklahoma Senate last week by a vote of 25-22.

S.B. 835 would legalize cockfighting, except if the birds have implements strapped to their legs. The measure would also make it legal for people to maintain cockfighting facilities and to possess birds for fighting. It would eliminate the forfeiture provisions in the law and reduce penalties for the few remaining illegal cockfighting acts, rendering the altered law all but unenforceable.

“The bill would gut the cockfighting law, yet tough law enforcement with strong penalties is clearly how you stop criminal activity,” Guyton said.

The Humane Society of the United States is the nation’s largest animal protection organization with more than eight million members and constituents. The HSUS is a mainstream voice for animals, with active programs in companion animals and equine protection, wildlife and habitat protection, animals in research and farm animals and sustainable agriculture. The HSUS protects all animals through legislation, litigation, investigation, education, advocacy and fieldwork. The non-profit organization, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2004, is based in Washington, DC and has 10 regional offices across the country. On the web at www.hsus.org.

Related Links

Dogfighting Fact Sheet

Animal Fighting: The Final Round