The latest plea and actions by Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick and his three other accomplices
have brought the underworld of dogfighting to the forefront. Each has pled guilty to various charges
revolving around dogs being executed if they did not fight savagely.
According to the Humane Society of the United States, the horrific and brutal sport of dogfighting is
growing in America.
An expert on animal fighting with the Humane Society, John Goodwin, stated that there are over 40,000
dog fighters in the United States of America, who are involved in putting on illegal fights, buying and selling
dogs and high stakes gambling.
However Goodwin pointed out further that there could be well over 100,000 additional people involved in
the more informal dogfighting practice of "street fighting" which is often found within gangs.
Dogfighting is on the Rise
"It's far more pervasive than people think and it's definitely been on the upswing in the past five to 10
years," he was quoted as saying.
Goodwin further stated that statistics from animal shelters give a solid and clear indication that dogfighting
is on the rise. He pointed to the facts from fifteen years ago, where 2 to 3 percent of the dogs entering the
animal shelters were American Pit Bull Terriers, however now Goodwin stated that American Pit Bull
Terriers make up over 33% of the dogs entering the shelter. Even more horrific, Goodwin pointed out a
shelter in Jersey, where 65% of the dogs entering the shelter were American Pit Bull Terriers and most
showed scars that were indicative of dog fighting.
The American Pit Bull Terrier is the most popular fighting dog because it was bred to recognize other dogs
as adversaries, and selectively trained for its specific fighting abilities. The were also bred to be very
friendly with people so they could be manageable in the pit.
Dogfighting in America is a Crime
Dogfighting is a crime in all 50 states. As of the writing of this article, dog fighting is a felony in every state
except Idaho and Wyoming where it is a misdemeanor. It must be pointed out that even in most states
where dog fighting is a felony, it is perfectly legal to own a fighting dog and perfectly legal to be a spectator
a dog fight. Some states have passed laws against being a spectator, to see if your state is listed visit
here<<<>>>
have brought the underworld of dogfighting to the forefront. Each has pled guilty to various charges
revolving around dogs being executed if they did not fight savagely.
According to the Humane Society of the United States, the horrific and brutal sport of dogfighting is
growing in America.
An expert on animal fighting with the Humane Society, John Goodwin, stated that there are over 40,000
dog fighters in the United States of America, who are involved in putting on illegal fights, buying and selling
dogs and high stakes gambling.
However Goodwin pointed out further that there could be well over 100,000 additional people involved in
the more informal dogfighting practice of "street fighting" which is often found within gangs.
Dogfighting is on the Rise
"It's far more pervasive than people think and it's definitely been on the upswing in the past five to 10
years," he was quoted as saying.
Goodwin further stated that statistics from animal shelters give a solid and clear indication that dogfighting
is on the rise. He pointed to the facts from fifteen years ago, where 2 to 3 percent of the dogs entering the
animal shelters were American Pit Bull Terriers, however now Goodwin stated that American Pit Bull
Terriers make up over 33% of the dogs entering the shelter. Even more horrific, Goodwin pointed out a
shelter in Jersey, where 65% of the dogs entering the shelter were American Pit Bull Terriers and most
showed scars that were indicative of dog fighting.
The American Pit Bull Terrier is the most popular fighting dog because it was bred to recognize other dogs
as adversaries, and selectively trained for its specific fighting abilities. The were also bred to be very
friendly with people so they could be manageable in the pit.
Dogfighting in America is a Crime
Dogfighting is a crime in all 50 states. As of the writing of this article, dog fighting is a felony in every state
except Idaho and Wyoming where it is a misdemeanor. It must be pointed out that even in most states
where dog fighting is a felony, it is perfectly legal to own a fighting dog and perfectly legal to be a spectator
a dog fight. Some states have passed laws against being a spectator, to see if your state is listed visit
here<<<>>>
President Bush and Dogfighting
In May of 2007, President Bush signed into federal law a bill that strengthened dog fighting at the federal
level. The law bans interstate commerce, import and export related to animal fighting activities. Offenders
of the new law can be sentenced to three years in jail and subject to a $250,000 fine. Before this bill the
maximum time in jail was one year.
Dog Fighting is Big Business
Unfortunately, irregardless of the laws, dogfighting in the United States remains big business. Goodwin
further stated that the amount of money involved is impossible to estimate, however many high end purses
for dog fights top $100,000.
What can you do to help stop illegal dog fighting?
Crime Stoppers of Northeast Mississippi will pay up to $1000.00 for information that leads to an
arrest on any felony. In the State of Mississippi dog fighting is a felony.
In May of 2007, President Bush signed into federal law a bill that strengthened dog fighting at the federal
level. The law bans interstate commerce, import and export related to animal fighting activities. Offenders
of the new law can be sentenced to three years in jail and subject to a $250,000 fine. Before this bill the
maximum time in jail was one year.
Dog Fighting is Big Business
Unfortunately, irregardless of the laws, dogfighting in the United States remains big business. Goodwin
further stated that the amount of money involved is impossible to estimate, however many high end purses
for dog fights top $100,000.
What can you do to help stop illegal dog fighting?
Crime Stoppers of Northeast Mississippi will pay up to $1000.00 for information that leads to an
arrest on any felony. In the State of Mississippi dog fighting is a felony.
| The Truth Behind Dog Fighting In America |
| Researchers estimate that over 40,000 people in the United States of America are associated with professional dogfighting, a felonious blood sport with fight purses well over $100,000. |
§ 97-41-19. Dog fights.
1(1) If any person (a) shall sponsor, promote, stage or conduct a fight or fighting match between dogs, or
(b) shall wager or bet, promote or encourage the wagering or betting of any money or other valuable thing
upon any such fight or upon the result thereof, or (c) shall own a dog with the intent to wilfully enter it or to
participate in any such fight, or (d) shall train or transport a dog for the purposes of participation in any
such fight, he shall be guilty of a felony and, upon conviction, shall be punished by a fine of not less than
One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00) nor more than Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00), or by imprisonment
in the State Penitentiary for a term of not less than one (1) nor more than three (3) years, or by both such
fine and imprisonment, in the discretion of the court.
2(2) If any person shall be present, as a spectator, at any location where preparations are being made for
an exhibition of a fight between dogs with the intent to be present at such preparations, or if any person
shall be present at an exhibition of a fight between dogs with the intent to be present at such exhibition, he
shall be guilty of a felony and, upon conviction, shall be punished by a fine of not less than Five Hundred
Dollars ($500.00) nor more than Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00), or by imprisonment in the State
Penitentiary for a term of not more than one (1) year, or by both such fine and imprisonment, in the
discretion of the court.
1(1) If any person (a) shall sponsor, promote, stage or conduct a fight or fighting match between dogs, or
(b) shall wager or bet, promote or encourage the wagering or betting of any money or other valuable thing
upon any such fight or upon the result thereof, or (c) shall own a dog with the intent to wilfully enter it or to
participate in any such fight, or (d) shall train or transport a dog for the purposes of participation in any
such fight, he shall be guilty of a felony and, upon conviction, shall be punished by a fine of not less than
One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00) nor more than Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00), or by imprisonment
in the State Penitentiary for a term of not less than one (1) nor more than three (3) years, or by both such
fine and imprisonment, in the discretion of the court.
2(2) If any person shall be present, as a spectator, at any location where preparations are being made for
an exhibition of a fight between dogs with the intent to be present at such preparations, or if any person
shall be present at an exhibition of a fight between dogs with the intent to be present at such exhibition, he
shall be guilty of a felony and, upon conviction, shall be punished by a fine of not less than Five Hundred
Dollars ($500.00) nor more than Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00), or by imprisonment in the State
Penitentiary for a term of not more than one (1) year, or by both such fine and imprisonment, in the
discretion of the court.
| Dog fighting is a felony crime in Mississippi. If you have knowledge of illegal dog fighting please call your local law enforcement agency or your local Crime Stoppers program. You can submit your information by clicking the "Submit a tip" link on the left side of any page on this site. Your tip could earn you cash!! |
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| All Site Content / Copyright © ---2007 /Crime Stoppers of Northeast Mississippi, inc. Created by TTATE |
| CLICK THE SCREEN TO THE RIGHT TO SEE A VIDEO |
| More videos |
| We, of course, would like to say that all of these pictures were downloaded off the Internet because tis kind of stuff doesn't happen in our area, but unfortunately, we can't. The following picture are of local cases! |
| "SPOT" |
| "SPOT" |
| "SPOT" |
| "WHITE BOY" |
| "WHITE BOY" |
| "WHITE BOY" |
| "SYCO" |
| "SYCO" |
| "SNAPPER" |
| "Shorty Nitro" |
| "Two Face" |
| "Teazy" |
