Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal and The HSUS Announce New Animal Fighting Reward Program

October 29, 2007

HARTFORD, Conn. — Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal and The Humane Society of the United States (The HSUS) have teamed up to combat animal fighting. At a joint press conference held today, 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. This doubles The HSUS' longstanding reward of $2,500.

Suspected illegal animal fighting in Connecticut can be reported by calling 860-808-5180.

As part of the campaign, Blumenthal will record a radio public service announcement about the new reward. South Carolina Attorney General Henry McMaster has also joined forces with Blumenthal and The HSUS to publicize the animal fighting reward program. The two are leading a bipartisan group of attorneys general around the country who are partnering with The HSUS to stop animal cruelty.

"Animal fighting is the spectator sport of criminals—a despicable, indecent practice that attracts an array of other criminal activity, including drug dealing and illegal betting," Blumenthal said. "Our new hotline should provide a safe and secure means for citizens to blow the whistle on illegal animal fighting. This hotline is a first step by Connecticut as part of a national effort to combat animal fighting through the National Association of Attorneys General. My office, working closely with the South Carolina Attorney General's Office, will be reaching out to attorneys general nationwide—enlisting and engaging them in such programs."

Dogfighting and cockfighting involves forcing two animals to mutilate each other for the sake of gambling and entertainment. Animals suffer bloody injuries and often death. The HSUS estimates that 40,000 people are involved in organized dogfighting and an additional 100,000 are street-level fighters. Almost as many people are involved in illegal cockfighting nationwide.

 "We are thrilled to partner with Attorney General Blumenthal on this anti-cruelty campaign," said Wayne Pacelle, president and CEO of The HSUS and a Connecticut native. "Dogfighting, cockfighting, and other forms of animal cruelty are a social ill, and we should exhibit zero tolerance for this conduct."

Public service announcements about the animal fighting reward program are available at www.hsus.org/animalfightingpsa.

Facts

• In Connecticut, there are 43 people listed in The HSUS' animal fighting database as professional level dogfighters—those who are significantly involved in the business or "tradition" of dogfighting. Ten of those dogfighters had taken out advertisements for fighting dogs in a nationally circulated dogfighting magazine.

• Animal control officers throughout Connecticut avow that up to 70 percent of the dogs in their shelters are pit bulls. That percentage is indicative of increased dogfighting activity in the state. 

• Animal fighting is also associated with other crimes, such as illegal gambling, drug dealing and human violence. A three-year study released by the Chicago Police Department showed that 65 percent of the people arrested on animal cruelty charges—including dogfighting—had prior arrests on violent crime charges against people.

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