8/29/2006
Media Contact:
Justin Ohlemiller, Mayor’s Office, [317] 327-3690
Media Wilson, Animal Care and Control, [317] 327-1396 |
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City continues crack down on dog fighting
Officials roll out latest Canine Crimestoppers program
INDIANAPOLIS – Mayor Bart Peterson today joined law enforcement from the city’s Animal Care and Control Division and community leaders in re-launching Canine Crimestoppers, an initiative focused on engaging the public in the city’s effort to crack down on dog fighting.
Canine Crimestoppers is an ad campaign that encourages citizens to call a tip line when they suspect dog fighting in their community. People can receive cash rewards of up to $1,000 when their tip leads to a conviction.
Dog fighting is a class D felony that can occur in various locations throughout a community, but most often takes place in homes. Perpetrators train dogs to be violent and then pit the canines against one another in a fight – to the death in most cases – while spectators place bets on the dogs involved.
“Dog fighting is not only cruel and inhumane, it’s a crime that often co-exists with drugs, guns and other violence,” said Mayor Peterson. “We remain committed to finding the perpetrators of this despicable crime and prosecuting them to the fullest extent of the law.”
Originally launched in 2004, the Canine Crimestoppers program has solicited dozens of tips that have led to more than 100 dog fighting investigations by Animal Care and Control officers and several successful prosecutions, including Clifton Withers, who was arrested just blocks from where the press conference was held today at Gustafson Park. Withers was convicted of dog fighting and cocaine dealing and is currently serving a 15-year prison sentence.
The new Canine Crimestoppers campaign will use posters, bumper stickers and flyers distributed in key locations throughout the community to spread the word about dog fighting. Some local movie theaters also will begin running ads on their screens providing information about the signs of dog fighting and the dog fighting tip line phone number.
The ads and posters will target three groups:
- Dog fighters themselves – The city will place Canine Crimestoppers information in places where dog fighters are known to congregate to send a message about the city’s strict enforcement and attempt to entice others to turn in known or suspected dog fighters for reward money.
- The General Public – Posters, media ads and flyers will help to educate the public about what to look for to indicate dog fighting, who to call and why this issue is important.
- Youth – The average age when people become involved in dog fighting is 15. The city will place information in the schools to educate the youth about dog fighting and why getting involved is wrong.
Public Safety Director Earl Morgan emphasized that tips coming from the community are absolutely vital in the city’s crack down on dog fighters.
He encouraged residents to actively look for the signs of suspected dog fighters, including:
- Ownership of several adult dogs and/or puppies that are confined by thick chains with or without weights on their collars;
- Tires or other items suspended from trees to provide jaw strengthening activities;
- A “cat mill” which confines a cat, rabbit or another small animal that is used to encourages a dog to take chase and eventually capture and kill the confined animal;
- A treadmill; and
- People of all ages with dogs coming and going in groups from a residence or other site.
Dogs used in fighting often times have observable characteristics as well, including:
- Short ear crops;
- Recent or long-standing wounds and abscesses;
- Scars on the head, throat, legs, and ears;
- Wide leather or web collars with heavy rings; and
- Puncture wounds and lacerations.
Any person with a tip on suspected dog fighting can call 262-TIPS; all tips are investigated.
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