Ohio Attorney General Marc Dann and The HSUS Announce New Animal Fighting Reward Program

November 7, 2007

WILMINGTON, Ohio  — Ohio Attorney General Marc Dann, The Humane Society of the United States, Buckeye State Sheriff's Association, and the Ohio Association of Chief's of Police have formed an exciting partnership 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.

The attorney general's office will take animal fighting tips at 1-877-AG4OHIO (877-244-6446) Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 8:30 p.m. and Saturday, 8:00 a.m. – Noon. Those tips will be routed to the appropriate local law enforcement agency. The Attorney General's Bureau of Criminal Investigations and Identification is also available to local law enforcement to help with investigations upon request.

"Animal fighting is a hideously cruel and violent illegal activity," said Dann. "I am pleased to join The Humane Society of the United States in this national campaign to protect animals and our communities from this inexcusable crime."   

The Ohio Attorney General is not a newcomer to the issue of illegal animal fighting. Last October, he was honored during the 2007 Humane Law Enforcement Awards. Dann's award stemmed from his leadership role in the investigation and raid of a large Ohio dogfighting pit and seven fighting dog kennels based in the Dayton and Cincinnati areas. That investigation culminated in one of the largest and most successful criminal animal fighting crackdowns in U.S. history.

"Attorney General Dann has been a stalwart advocate of enforcing anti-cruelty laws," said Wayne Pacelle, president and CEO of The HSUS. "Dogfighting and cockfighting are sickening forms of cruelty, and we hope our enhanced rewards program will spawn more tips that the Attorney General and other law enforcement can act upon."

Dogfighting and cockfighting involves pitting two animals to fight each other until one of them cannot continue. Animals used for fighting suffer gruesome, bloody injuries and often death for the sake of gambling and entertainment.

As part of the campaign, Dann recorded a radio public service announcement about the new reward—available at hsus.org/animalfightingpsa.

Animal Fighting Reward Program Instructions:

• If you have information about illegal animal fighting, contact your local law enforcement or give your tip to the Attorney General's office at 1-877-AG4OHIO (877-244-6446). The HSUS will protect your identity if you wish to remain anonymous, just let the agency you reported your tip to know that you do not want your identity released to the public. 
• 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 as follows:

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

Dogfighting Facts:

• Dogfighting is a highly-organized criminal industry; more than 250,000 dogs are placed in dogfighting pits each year.
• 40,000 people are involved in organized dogfighting and an additional 100,000 are street-level fighters.
• A three-year study released by the Chicago Police Department showed that 65% of the people arrested for animal abuse crimes—including dogfighting—were also arrested for violent crimes against people.

Cockfighting Facts:

• Tens of thousands of people are involved in cockfighting nationwide.
• 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 amounts of cash present, firearms and other weapons.
• Law enforcement officials have documented a strong connection between cockfighting and the distribution illegal drugs. 

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The Humane Society of the United States is the nation's largest animal protection organization – backed by 10 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.