Oregon Attorney General and The HSUS Announce Animal Fighting Reward Program

June 12, 2008

SALEM, Ore. — Attorney General Hardy Myers and The Humane Society of the United States have teamed up to combat cockfighting and dogfighting in Oregon. At a press conference held today at the state Capitol, 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. Additionally, Attorney General Myers encouraged those with information about animal fighters in Oregon to call the Oregon Department of Justice's tip line: 877-877-9392.  

Eric Sakach, director of The HSUS's West Coast regional office, spoke on behalf of the national animal protection organization. Oregon Senate President Peter Courtney, D-Salem, also took part in the press conference.   

"The combination of an anonymous tip line and reward for information is a win-win," Myers said. "I expect that law enforcement will receive the critical details necessary to arrest and convict criminals engaging in this horrible, inhumane activity."

In March 2008, Gov. Ted Kulongoski signed a bill to strengthen Oregon's dogfighting law. S.B. 1072, sponsored by Senate President Courtney made knowingly attending a dogfight or possessing dogfighting paraphernalia in Oregon Class C felonies punishable by up to three years of imprisonment and/or a maximum $125,000 fine. Dogfighting and cockfighting are also Class C felonies in Oregon.

"Animal fighters are criminals who capitalize on the act of forcing animals to rip each other to shreds and in that way also feed their sick sense of entertainment," Sakach said. "The Humane Society of the United States is grateful to Attorney General Myers and Sen. Courtney for their support and determined effort to crack down on these criminals."

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.

Animal Fighting Reward Program Instructions:

• If you have information about illegal animal fighting in Oregon, call 877-877-9392. If you wish to remain anonymous, let the agent to whom you give your tip know that you do not want your identity released to the public, but are interested in The HSUS's reward.
• 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

About Dogfighting:

• Dogfighting is a criminal industry; more than 250,000 dogs are placed in dogfighting pits each year.
• The HSUS estimates that 40,000 people follow organized dogfighting circuits across the U.S. while an additional 100,000 meet on neighborhood streets, alleys and hideaways.
• A Chicago Police Department study showed that 65 percent of people charged with animal abuse crimes — including dogfighting — were also charged with violent crimes against people.

About Cockfighting:

• Tens of thousands of people are involved in cockfighting nationwide.
• Common cockfighting practices include breeding birds for viciousness, drugging them to heighten aggression, and fitting their legs with razor-sharp knives or gaffs resembling ice picks.
• Law enforcement raids across the country have revealed that cockfights, which are frequently attended by children, often involve gambling and — as a result of the large amount of cash present — firearms and other weapons are also often present.
• Law enforcement officials have documented a strong connection between cockfighting and the distribution of illegal drugs. 
• Breeding and transporting fighting roosters for cockfighting is implicated in the spread of diseases such as Exotic Newcastle Disease, which can decimate the poultry industry.

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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.