L.A. County prosecutors to open 24-hour dog-fighting tip line and reward program

Los Angeles County prosecutors are teaming up with the Humane Society of the United States to announce what they say is a first-of-its-kind dog-fighting tip line and reward program. [Updated 2:17 p.m.: An earlier version of this post gave an incorrect name for the Humane Society.]

The 24-hour tip line, staffed by people who speak English and Spanish, will allow county residents to anonymously report dog-fighting incidents and collect up to $5,000 in reward money for information leading to an arrest or conviction.

The new tip-line number will be announced Tuesday at the office of L.A. County Dist. Atty. Steve Cooley at the downtown Criminal Courts building.

Those who are convicted of illegal dog fighting, a felony under state law, can face a maximum prison sentence of three years, prosecutors said. Watching a fight or helping to prepare for such contests is a misdemeanor that carries a sentence of up to six months in county jail.

Dog fighting is widespread in Los Angeles County, according to authorities. In the United States, the American Humane Society estimates that 40,000 people follow organized dog-fighting circuits and more than 250,000 dogs are made to suffer in dog-fighting pits each year.

-- Andrew Blankstein

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Comments

[ok]

I hope this is not coming out of taxpayers money! People need jobs right now!!!!

[Randy L. AZ_Resident]

You can't even afford to offer protection to the children in L.A. county and you want to spend money on dogs?

You have some sick priorities.

[Lee]

We have small famlee westraunt. We collect losing dogs. Make good take out.

[JustSo]

There is a clear link between cruelty to animals and domestic violence/human violence. Where there is dog fighting or rooster fighting there is often drug violence, domestic abuse and gang affiliations.

I applaud the city for understanding the link between animal violence and violence towards people. This is a great way to protect our citizens and children and LA County.

The reporter does need to do some further investigation, however, as there is no "American Humane Society". There is the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), American Humane Association (AHA), the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) or the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Los Angeles (spcaLA) - all nonprofit organizations. Who is the city working with?

[Charlotte Laws]

The tip line should include cockfighting as well.

[Reader]

Thank you for seeing the big picture JustSo.

[TheBigPicture]

You've got to be kidding...They don't offer $5000 for tips involving homicides...

Just increase the penalty...Give all of the offenders the Vick's sentence... Confiscate property and proceeds, anything involved in the process. Make examples of a few and the problem will be greatly reduced....

[Hillary4Animals]

I work at the HSUS and would like to address the questions about funding. Half of the cost for the tip line and the investigator are being paid by HSUS, the other half by an anonymous donor. No tax money is involved.

[LF]

I am born and raised in LA. I am also an Animal lover and one who FIGHTS for the rights of our voiceless animals. We are their guardians. We've domesticated and bred them, it is our responsibility as GOOD citizens to PROTECT them. Guess who stages dog fights? GANGS. Guess what they do? Threaten the lives of your children and everyone else on their radar. Wake up!!! Everyone suffers at the will of those involved in this blood sport. And if you need to educate yourself on what it means to torture a defenseless animal against it's will, please DO SO. And maybe your precious tax dollars may seem worthy of such a cause. Your apathy disgusts me.