Dogfighting is still going strong, despite high profile “busts” and increased la.jpg)
w enforcement. Since the Vick case the criminals that promote these events have gotten more creative and gone even more underground. And make no mistake, these people are criminals. Those that run these fights for profit, and there is a lot of profit, now hold the dog fights with virtually no audience, but have Web cams that are broadcasting the fight on the Internet. By doing this these thugs can hold a fight in a small area, including 18 wheelers going down the highway.
According to a report on CNN, more people are reporting suspected dogfighting rings since the Vick case and other high profile cases. For awhile the incidence of fighting seemed to level off. Now it is on the rise again.
"At the height of attention on the Vick case, things quieted down across the country with some of these dogfighters getting out of the business," veteran animal abuse investigator Tim Rickey said. "But then, the headlines went away, and people thought the attention was off. It just started right back up, almost stronger than before."
"Every Saturday night in every county in Missouri, there is a dogfight going on," Rickey said.
Recently investigator Rickey was involved in the 18 month long investigation that eventually linked 8 states to the dogfighting ring, and involved over 400 dogs. For anyone out there that thinks this is an entertaining sport, do a little research. The dogs are tortured, given steroids, fed only once a week and have virtually no water other than what they get off the ground from rain. They are torn apart and live a life of pain for human entertainment. People that turn a blind eye to this are just as morally guilty as those doing the crime.
CNN spoke with several detectives across America who have worked other dogfighting cases. Among the abuses they've uncovered:
• Dogs with missing ears and patches of skin
• Animals with teeth shaved down to the bone
• "Vets" who have used leg splints that are to tight to "treat" animals in dogfighting rings
• Contraptions, usually fashioned out of wood, much like a treadmill, that force chained dogs to run or be choked.
Evil is the only word I can think of that describes the scum involved in this enterprise; and I am quite sure it spills over into the other parts of their lives. People can’t be that evil in one part of their lives and be great parents and spouses. I don’t buy it. There is something very basic missing in them. I saw a pic on Wikipedia showing "men" at a dog fight- it made me sick. Obviously the penalties for this crime are not deterrents to those involved.
Again, if you see a dog that looks like it has been used in a fight or suspect that dogfighting is going on in your community-please report it. Pay forward. I believe in that concept, as I also believe that these deviates will eventually earn their just rewards. Every dog has his day.
Thanks for reading. keepsake16@yahoo.com
http://www.cnn.com/2009/CRIME/08/17/us.dog.fighting/
http://www.suntimes.com/news/24-7/1708021,w-dog-fight-arrest-080909.article
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