Cockfighting and Dogfighting in the Sights of Oregon's Attorney General

Oregon's AG says animal fighting is frequently tied to other illegal activity such as drug trafficking.

Courtesy: nhspca.org

(SALEM, Ore.) - State Attorney General Hardy Myers is part of a new joint effort designed to reduce illegal cockfighting and dogfighting in Oregon. Myers, Senate President Peter Courtney and The Humane Society of the United States will make an official announcement Thursday.

Part of that announcement includes the creation of a new tip hotline hosted by the Oregon Department of Justice that allows and encourages members of the public to submit information about illegal cockfighting or dogfighting in Oregon.

The Humane Society of the United States will discuss its pledge to pay a $5,000 reward to anyone whose information leads to arrest and conviction of an animal fighter.

Needless to say, the plight of Michael Vick from star pro athlete to prison inmate brought dogfighting into focus in this country in April 2006. In that case, a police search for drugs led to the discovery of dogs used in fighting and that brought the spotlight of shame onto NFL quarterback Michael Vick who was clearly one of the biggest names in professional football at the time.

The Humane Society of the United States said, "Now, instead of wearing jersey #7, he wears the number of a federal prison inmate. More importantly, dogfighting is known throughout America for just what it is: a vicious industry that always involves unconscionable cruelty and often other criminal activity."

In recent years, at the urging of The Humane Society of the United States, Senate President Peter Courtney led legislative efforts to enhance the crimes and penalties for cockfighting and dogfighting in Oregon.

In March of 2008, Oregon Governor Ted Kulongoski signed a bill that strengthens Oregon's dogfighting law. Senate Bill 1072, sponsored by Senate President Peter Courtney, D-Salem, makes knowingly attending a dogfight or possessing dogfighting paraphernalia in Oregon Class C felonies. Penalties for a Class C felony are up to five years of imprisonment and/or a maximum fine of $125,000.

Oregon's AG says stepping up enforcement in this area makes sense, as the animal cruelty practices are often not the only crimes taking place. "Cockfighting and dogfighting are serious crimes that are often associated with other illegal activity such as drug trafficking," Myers said.

This is a CNN report on Michael Vick, courtesy of YouTube:

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