Florida’s Attorney General joins the fight against animal fighting
December 30th, 2008 by admin
On Monday, Florida’s Attorney General Bill McCollum announced the launch of a dedicated toll-free tip line for animal fighting: (877) 847-4787. Callers may remain anonymous and be eligible for a reward of up to $5,000.
“Now Floridians will have an easy, anonymous way to help make their neighborhoods safer and perhaps receive a substantial reward for their efforts,” explained Attorney General McCollum. He called animal fighting, “a cruel and criminal behavior.”
The tip line will be an important tool in stopping dogfighting and cockfighting, barbaric activities that are too-common in Florida. On the day of the announcement, there were two stories about animal fighting in Florida papers.
According to a story in the Tallahassee Democrat, Leon County Sheriff’s deputies responding to a noise complaint on Saturday night disrupted a dogfight in a vacant lot. Among the men who fled the scene, three were caught and charged with animal fighting. Not surprisingly, dogfighting was not the only criminal activity the men were involved in. Other charges included possessiion of cocaine and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Two dogs with bite wounds were confiscated and are being treated for their injuries.
The Naples News reported the conclusion of a cockfighting case that began with a traffic stop in June. When Reinaldo Prieto was stopped in Collier County for reckless driving, officers discovered several roosters in his vehicle. Prieto admitted that the birds had been sent from a farm in Puerto Rico and that they were to be used in fights. In court last week, Prieto was sentenced to a year of probation and ordered to make a $1,000 contribution to The Humane Society Naples.
Please thank Attorney General McCollum for his efforts to combat this horrible crime.
Contact:
Attorney General Bill McCollum
E-mail: ag.mccollum@myfloridalegal.com
Phone: (850) 414-3300