Tag: HSUS

60 Emaciated Dogs Rescued From Alabama Dog-Hog Fighting Operation

During their investigation of a suspected Cottonwood, Ala., operation that raises dogs to fight hogs, the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) and local police found 60 dogs in such horrible condition that they rescued them today.

Hog-dog fighting is illegal in Alabama (as well as in Louisiana, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Mississippi), according to the HSUS. During these fights — which are often billed as “family entertainment” — the dogs chase trapped hogs. The dogs are ranked by how quickly they bite a hog’s face and bring the screaming animal down.

“To give the dogs an advantage, handlers may outfit them in Kevlar vests, or cut the hogs’ tusks off,” the HSUS notes. “Dogs in training may be set upon helpless farm hogs. The hogs may die after dogs tear off their snouts, ears or jaws.”

The dogs rescued from the Cottonwood operation are mainly Dogos Argentinos, along with two French Bulldogs and one German Shepherd. Ranging in age from 4 months to teens, the emaciated dogs are suffering from malnutrition, skin infections and other health problems.

Animal cruelty and felony drug-related charges are pending. The operation is still under investigation.

“These dogs are lucky that the authorities responded quickly to this situation,” Chris Schindler, manager of animal fighting investigations for the HSUS, said today in a press release. “With the recent cold temperatures and the dogs’ poor condition, they needed immediate attention. We are glad to have been called in to assist in this case, and we will continue to be part of the investigation and prosecution process.”

The dogs were taken to a temporary shelter, where they are being treated by veterinarians. PetSmart Charities is providing supplies and enrichment items for this case.

The HSUS said the dogs will evaluated for potential adoption via its Dogfighting Rescue Coalition, a national network of shelters and rescue groups dedicated to giving the survivors of dog-fighting operations a chance at a new life.

“The cruelty these dogs were shown is painful to see, and we couldn’t stand by and allow them suffer,” Colonel Jim Smith, public safety director for the town of Cottonwood, stated. “We are thankful that the HSUS was able to assist on this case, and especially glad to see these dogs off to better lives.”

To make a $10 donation to the HSUS to help support these rescues, text LOVE to 20222, or go to humanesociety.org/hogdog.

Photos via Facebook

Finally! Animal Abuse Crimes Will Be Tracked by the FBI

Until now, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) didn’t track animal cruelty crimes on statewide or national levels. Extreme cases of animal abuse and neglect were placed in an “Other Offense” category.

But that is finally changing. FBI Director James Comer has approved including these cases in the Uniform Crime Report, thanks to the years-long efforts of the National Sheriffs’ Association, Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) and Doris Day Animal League.

The Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) Program, created in 1929, is “the starting place for law enforcement executives, students of criminal justice, researchers, members of the media and the public at large seeking information on crime in the nation,” according to the FBI website.

As the FBI has previously done for offenses including hate crimes and the killings of law enforcement officers, it will now also collect critical information on animal cruelty crimes. This means there’s now “a real incentive for law enforcement agencies to pay closer attention to such incidents,” wrote HSUS President Wayne Pacelle on his blog today. “With accurate data, law enforcement agencies will also be better able to allocate officers and financial resources to handle these cases, track trends and deploy accordingly.”

Animal cruelty crimes to be tracked by the FBI include intentional abuse and torture, organized abuse, sexual abuse and simple/gross neglect. The FBI defines animal cruelty as “Intentionally, knowingly or recklessly taking an action that mistreats or kills any animal without just cause, such as torturing, tormenting, mutiliation, maiming, poisoning or abandonment.”

The tracking of these crimes “is a practical way of cracking down on cruelty,” Pacelle wrote.

“The decision is also significant in affirming, at the highest levels of our government, that animal cruelty is a vice just like so many other violent crimes. It is the latest tangible gain in our effort to make opposition to animal cruelty a universal value in our society.”

Photo credit: angela n.

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