I need to report suspected dog-fighting

[Aerows]

I've fed strays for several years, and some of them are suddenly coming up torn up. They won't even approach me. I've also heard cries of pain coming from a street over, so loud and sustained that it makes my heart break.

I've come to the only conclusion that I can - *somebody* is abusing animals, and with the volume with which they are doing it, especially on a Friday or Saturday night, it's got to be fights.

I called the city, and they were receptive. I called the Sheriff's department, and the woman on the phone blew me off completely. I called the SPCA, they don't have the resources, but gave me the numbers to the respective two agencies I'd already called.

What do I do?

[Ian David]

1. Call PeTA. About time they did something productive. n/t

[Aerows]

2. Screw PETA. This is abuse

Cats with their sides torn open type abuse.

[garybeck]

48. Peta has helped bust MANY people and orgs for abuse. Call them. n/t

[Aerows]

49. They will help in Mississippi over dog-fighting?

I don't think the will. Too far away from home. I live in the sticks.

[quinnox]

53. Ya never know, join PETA

This person is giving you good advice.

[Voice for Peace]

54. call them. don't assume they won't help! you're undermining yourself. a simple phone call or email.

if they can't help they may be able to connect you with someone who can.

[Iggo]

70. Fuck it. Do nothing then.

[kestrel91316]

3. Does your city or county have a Department of Animal Regulation?

Here in Los Angeles we have taxpayer funded animal shelters (aka dog pounds) and animal control officers to enforce laws about stray dogs and all other manner of animal issues, horses fallen down holes and such. They are the ones who enforce the laws against animal cruelty.

If you are in a state with no such laws, the dogs are out of luck.

ETA: I see you are in Mississippi. You and the dogs have my sympathy. Red states are not big on concern for non-human life.

[Aerows]

7. You see my frustration

People claim to care about animals, then turn a blind eye to things like what I suspect is going on in my neighborhood.

[kestrel91316]

56. I'd report it to the local media (small-town paper?) and then take it viral on FB.

Embarrass hell out of the authorities who SHOULD do something about it but aren't.

[thatgemguy]

4. Keep trying

Until you get somebody's attention.

[tnlefty]

5. Perhaps the US Humane Society could help you?

www.humanesociety.org [phone].

[Aerows]

8. Thanks for that resource

I'll try it. Whatever is going on with the cats being torn to shreds needs to stop. It isn't alligators or raccoons.

[joeybee12]

39. Local SPCA also...there's a group called Alley Cat Allies, contact them...

They can direct you to local groups...you'd be surprised how many local volunteer pet groups there are out there

[roody]

6. Don't give up! Keep reporting.

[OhioChick]

9. Do you have an "animal control" in your neck of the woods?

Maybe they can help.

[EFerrari]

10. That's right. Animal Control, not the Sheriff.

I'd also call an animal rescue group and ask for tips. They know a lot.

[Aerows]

12. I called them

Animal control out here is a wild animal that bites somebody. They have no resources for suspected dog-fighting.

[EFerrari]

18. It's their mandate. If they don't have the resources, they need to

get them from the nearest venue that does. Maybe where you live, it would be a joint op with the police? If the PD were receptive, I'd go there, make your report in person and ask for an incident report slip -- it's like a receipt for your report. And ask them what their plan is. You might even want to take a friend with you because then it's harder for them to brush you off.

[Aerows]

20. I called the police

They blew me off. Literally asked me if I had anything else to report that they could act upon.

[EFerrari]

30. Well, if you're up for it, the next step up is the DA and the press

I guess. If you've reported hearing animal cries and the police fail to look into it, there are probably some consequences for that for them. Have you talked to any of your neighbors about it?

[Aerows]

11. I called them

But they can't do anything unless it's a direct threat to the populace. That's animal control out here in the sticks.

[OhioChick]

13. I'm sorry to hear that...

I'd try The Humane Society, as someone up-thread suggested then. If they can't help, perhaps they can point you in the right direction.

[Aerows]

15. Thanks for the help

And I appreciate everyone's ideas.

I've heard enough and seen enough, and I feel guilty that I didn't do something sooner when I suspected. I'm an ass for not putting 2 and 2 together more quickly :(

[OhioChick]

19. You're not an ass and you shouldn't feel guilty...

You're trying to do something now. That's all that matters.

:hug:

[OneGrassRoot]

25. Please don't think that way!

Really....:hug:

You're doing your best in this moment. That's all any of us can do.

Many of us really appreciate you giving this attention. I know I speak for many in saying I wish I could come down there and open up a can of whoop-ass. I've been known to get very confrontational, especially with rednecks, when it comes to innocents.

:mad:

[EFerrari]

33. That happened to me once with cock fighting.

The thing is, we don't walk around expecting people to be horrible to animals so these situations aren't as obvious as you'd think they'd be.

[OneGrassRoot]

14. Two links for you:

Not sure where you are, but here are two organizations. I realize they are not enforcement agencies, but hopefully they can point you in the right direction:


http://www.eastmsanimalrescue.com/


Animal Welfare League of Mississippi: http://www.awlofms.org/


I'm not going to comment otherwise, or I'll break out in a string of profanity and start crying. I do thank you for taking action.

:hug:

:thumbsup:

[Aerows]

17. I didn't soon enough

:(

I'm sorry I didn't see it sooner :(

[Kingofalldems]

16. Please keep us posted and good luck!

[Arugula Latte]

21. The DUer fivegan is involved in dog rescue (mostly pit bulls)

You could PM him and he might have some suggestions or resources to try. Good luck.

[Aerows]

22. He and I have gotten into it over Pitt bulls several times

And this is kind of why. I know he rescues the pitt bulls, but who rescues the other animals that are used as bait for the fighting? We are attacking the same problem, just from opposite ends. He's right that the dogs are victims, but I have these guys that are my little friends, that have been ripped up.

It's hard to stay neutral.

Still, I blame the damn people. They are 100% of the problem, and need to be prosecuted.

[a la izquierda]

28. There are lots of rescues...

some are just breed specific (like Pitty rescues or Lab rescues), but others rescue all kinds of animals (dogs, cats, etc). The south is notoriously bad about animal welfare, and many animals that go to shelters end up put to sleep. You might do a little searching on facebook. I follow several rescue organizations in North and South Carolina, but I do know that there are rescues everywhere.

[LeftyMom]

44. FYI: a lot of his rescue dogs were bait dogs.

I messaged him. He's the expert on this stuff.

[Aerows]

47. Ask him to message me then

I'm trying to take care of these cats that have been used HARD.

[LeftyMom]

66. Might be a few hours.

He's at work.

[msanthrope]

23. Call the local news? See if you can get a reporter interested?

I think Flvegan does dog rescue.

[Aerows]

31. And I'm doing cat (bait) rescue

There are two sides the problem. Unless there is a cougar in my neighborhood, which is improbable, especially considering the cries, it's dog-fighting.

[msanthrope]

37. Are you in the viewership of this station?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bWYQbHGEoIk

[Aerows]

55. I didn't want to believe it happened in MY part of Mississippi

No one ever does, but this is affecting the beings that I feed in my neighborhood. They are training them to kill off of cats, rabbits and other dogs. It's sick.

[msanthrope]

57. It is disgusting, but I think you are great for trying to do something about it. nt

[Aerows]

59. I'm trying.

I wish I would have done it sooner. That's my greatest regret.

[hamsterjill]

24. What about the media?

Any chance you could get the media to do a story? This has been sometimes the only way we've gotten city officials to take note of a particular situation where I live. You can frame it one of two ways: One, that it is (of course) a horrible situation where animals are being abused, or Two, that dogfighting is normally associated with other bad, criminal behaviors and is a huge threat to the neighborhood.

The second approach is generally more effective in environments that are not particularly compassionate towards animals.

[Shagbark Hickory]

26. sd

I missed where you answered it previously.

[Scout]

27. can you get any evidence on audio/video (w/out putting yourself in danger)...

and then maybe you could get the media involved, or use your evidence to light a fire under the appropriate agency.

THANK YOU for trying!

[michaz]

29. Not sure what state you live in but if you check with ASPCA they have

regional directors for certain country areas. I am in the northeast and we have a great investigator and he was in on the Michael Vick case. Call ASAP and they will connect you to the right person and they will get there quickly.

[Aerows]

32. Mississippi

Already tried that route.

[Douglas Carpenter]

34. you might consider this if nothing else seems to help

I'm sure you are familiar with the Animal Planet series called "Last Chance Highway". The most celebrated dog rescuer happens to be a woman from Mississippi named Shelly Bookwalter - who is also a real estate agent. I would gather that she might be someone who could direct you toward the right way to take care of this. Her contact info can be found at this website:

(you may need to copy and paste)

http://www.liveinmississippi.com/(mrcguhjf4ueytc55u1xt2yfv)/agentAbout.aspx?sitecode=BOOKWALS

[Aerows]

35. OMG - thank you so much

I'll try that. Thank you!

[EFerrari]

38. Excellent.

But the police still need to go off their @sses at some point.

[Douglas Carpenter]

40. here is another way to try to contact her - it seems that link doesn't work quite right

here is a website that includes contact info:

http://www.southernjeweldogrescue.org/our-team

.
here is contact infor for her real estate office:

http://www.realtor.com/realestateagents/Shelly-Bookwalter_Olive-Branch_MS_473912?source=web

[Liberal_in_LA]

36. keep calling!

[EC]

41. Do you have a VOP section in your local newspaper

or a TV channel that covers consumer complaints for a news segment? If so write a letter (name withheld type) to the Voice of the People and state your suspicions and that the authorities didn't seem to care. Cause an uproar. Or at the very least maybe neighbors of the house where the noise is coming from will also report it.

Some local news channels do consumer complaints - report it.

[NYC_SKP]

42. So far, it looks like you've done all the right things. I would give it some time...

...see which among the different agencies step up, and don't be afraid to contact them all again.

I would talk to the mayor and members of city council and/or county board of supervisors.

At some point the media, too, but don't trust them to be entirely protective of your desire for confidentiality.

I'm most concerned about your personal safety because people who don't care about animals don't care about you.

...

Good luck and thank you!

:hug:

[Aerows]

43. I didn't even think of my personal safety

And I guess, in reality, that if that is the cost of shutting down something that is atrocious, I'll risk it.

It didn't dawn on me for a second to be scared. I guess there is money involved in these sorts of operations, but I care too much about the animals involved.

Do you think I could be at personal risk?

[deaniac21]

45. It looks like it is illegal to feed strays in most states. Here are the

laws for Mississippi.

http://www.mbah.state.ms.us/disease_programs/rabies/ms_rabies_laws.htm

[Aerows]

46. My cat has a rabies tag

The others have been spayed. I checked that out.

I don't have cats running around unlawfully - they are spayed and have shots because we have raccoons in this part of the country and they carry rabies.. uh, rabidly.

[deaniac21]

64. The OP only talked about dogs. I misunderstood.

[quinnox]

50. Maybe become a member of PETA and call them

Otherwise maybe its best to leave it alone, looks like you tried. *shrug*

The sheriff is going to have a lot higher priorities than worrying about something of this nature so that isn't a surprise that they didn't have any interest.

[Aerows]

51. It's okay for the sherriff to have no interest?

And I should just join PETA if I object to dog-fighting?

Seriously?

[quinnox]

52. just giving a reality check

the sheriff's office is going to have their hands full doing their job chasing down criminals, that's why you got the brush off from them.

Some vague allegations of dog fighting that may or may not be true is going to be placed near the bottom of their list.

Whats wrong with joining PETA? It sounds like that would be an organization which would be something you would like if this is of such concern to you.

[Aerows]

58. I've had two folks, *wisely* suggest I should look out for my person

Anyone else think so, since the local cops were angry at me even reporting it?

[quinnox]

61. As in the cops would rough you up in an alleyway or something?

Nah, don't think so. I wouldn't worry about that at all, ain't gonna happen.

Now, if there really is some sort of gang doing dogfightin' secretly in the wilds near you, and they catch scent of you trying to rat them out, well, thems a different story. Yea, that would worry me. They might pay you a not so kindly visit.

[Aerows]

63. I'm a petite female

I'm concerned either way.

[quinnox]

65. well, that is a concern

If you don't got a husband or son or man around the house then it is a delicate situation. I don't know, I would probably just keep quiet to be honest with you rather than attract unwanted attention that could turn out to be bad folks.

Or think about arming yourself if you really want to pursue this for self protection.

[snooper2]

60. Go into stealth mode, video whatever you can, send it to police detective only

[Aerows]

62. I intend to film what I can

And stay strong. I'm not the biggest of human beings, though, and I have to be careful for safety. I'm going to do everything i can though.

[snooper2]

68. Take a rifle with you

:hide:

[JanMichael]

67. Most dog fighting assholes are usually involved in gambling and other interstate crime.

Hence RICO charges happen every so often. Therefore maybe your state bureau of investigation (*BI) might be interested?

[REACTIVATED IN CT]

69. Stray dogs or cats ? i don't think I've ever heard of cats

being used for dog fighting bait.

Have you tried contacting Best Friends out of Utah ? They have a network of rescuers and may be able to direct you to someone.

http://network.bestfriends.org/initiatives/Default.aspx

At a recent rescuers conference, I talked with some animal control officers. When it comes to abuse cases, their hands are often tied . Animals are property and ACO's can't come on someone's property to investigate without "probable cause". If they can see something suspicious, then they can investigate. If you know where this is happening and have a way of recording photos or audio of it, that will help the ACO's.

[Aerows]

72. Are you serious?

You've never heard of cats and other animals used as bait to get dog fights going?

They've always been used since they are small, but fight.

[flvegan]

71. Ooh, were my ears burning today!

I know we've gotten into over pitbulls and frankly I could care less. Anyone that wants to help animals is good people in my book. We can leave our disagreements on the board, this is too important.

I'll send you a PM. I'd like to hear more about this. Thankfully, I see you're in MS (by your profile). I know...folks there who might help.

Thanks for trying to help.