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PRESS RELEASE
Louisiana SPCA
Seeing a Surge
In Suspected Dogfighting Activity
NEW ORLEANS
(1/3/07) –The Louisiana SPCA’s
animal cruelty investigations team
is seeing a surge in suspected
dogfighting activity across the
Metro area and is currently working
on three active cases. Since
November 2006 the non-profit animal
welfare agency that investigates
animal cruelty has pursued several
cases of animal abuse where
dogfighting charges have been filed.
On January 1, 2007, in the most
recent case, two men were arrested
and charged with dogfighting. Three
arrests were also made in the
November case. Kathryn Destreza,
Director of Humane Law Enforcement
for the LA/SPCA, said the cases
cover the Metro area and are a
strong indicator that dogfighting is
not targeted to any one geographic
area, but are directly linked to
other types of criminal activity.
“Many times we also find evidence of
drugs and guns when dogfighting
arrests are made,” said Destreza.
In the three major cases a total of
14 dogs have been impounded and will
remain at the LA/SPCA while the
cases await trial. In the January
case, five pitbulls were seized.
Four of the animals had fresh wounds
and one of the four also showed
evidence of old scarring that is
consistent with dogfighting
injuries.
Destreza said the agency is also
seeing a rising trend in the number
of scarred, abandoned animals that
appear to have been the victims of
dogfighting. “We’re finding scarred
animals in vacant buildings and
homes,” she said. “We’re seeing more
cases of this then we did even
pre-Katrina,” she added.
Laura Maloney, LA/SPCA’s Chief
Executive Officer, said that the
public’s help is key in assisting
the agency investigate dogfighting.
One of the cases currently being
investigated resulted from a
caller’s tip. Maloney said there are
often clues that suggest dogfighting
may be present. “Dogfighters often
keep their dogs in vacant lots or
houses so the dogs, if seen, cannot
be linked to an individual. If the
public sees chained dogs in an
abandoned area they should contact
us immediately,” she urged.
To report suspected dogfighting or
any other types of animal cruelty
contact the LA/SPCA at
504-368-5191, ext. 100. The public
can also report suspected cruelty or
request an investigation
on the LA/SPCA’s website at:
http://www.la-spca.org/forms/investigation_request.htm.
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The Louisiana
Society for the Prevention of
Cruelty to Animals is an
organization devoted to improving
the lives of animals and eliminating
the homelessness, neglect and abuse
that signal animal suffering.
Chartered in 1888, our history has
been paved with an understanding
that only through an improved
human-animal ethic can we better the
lives of companion animals and that
of our community. Our programs and
services are infused with the
highest standards of care and
compassion.
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