Attorney General and The HSUS Announce Animal Fighting Reward Program
On the historic day that Louisiana becomes the 50th state with a cockfighting ban, state Attorney General James D. "Buddy" Caldwell and The Humane Society of the United States today announced that cockfighting and dogfighting will not be tolerated in Louisiana. At a press conference held today at the East Baton Rouge Parish Animal Control Center, Attorney General Caldwell and Wayne Pacelle, president and CEO of The HSUS, 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. Also taking part in the press conference were Hal Turner, executive director of the Louisiana Sheriff's Association Peter Dale, president of the Louisiana Association of Chiefs of Police.
"Animal fighting is exceedingly cruel and has a corrosive effect on the communities where it exists," Attorney General Caldwell said. "I am pleased to lend my support in the effort to punish the animal fighters who abuse animals for profit."
Now both cockfighting and dogfighting are crimes in Louisiana. Dogfighting is punishable by up to 10 years of imprisonment and/or a maximum $25,000 fine. Starting today, cockfighting is punishable by up to 6 months in prison and/or a maximum $1,000 fine on a first offense. Subsequent cockfighting offenses are punishable by up to one year in prison and/or a maximum $2,000 fine on the second offense and up to three years of imprisonment and/or a maximum $2,000 fine on the third offense. The Legislature passed an anti-cockfighting measure last year, but it had a provision that delayed implementation until August 15, 2008.
"Cockfighting is now outlawed in all 50 states, and cockfighters cannot go to any state to find refuge for this practice," said Wayne Pacelle, president and CEO of The HSUS. "It is time for Louisiana cockfighters to recognize the rule of law and to abandon this barbaric hobby. Our society will tolerate this conduct no longer."
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 Louisiana, 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' 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.
