Breaking news: Reward offered for Florida dogfighting reports.
The Humane Society of the United States today (May 28) announced it will give a $5,000 reward to people who report illegal animal fighting in Florida. The offer applies to those who blow the whistle on cockfighting as well as dog fighting.
Florida Attorney General Bill McCollum was present at the announcement – as was Winston, a black pit bull formerly used as bait to train fighting dogs.
Winston, former bait dog
Floridians convicted of dog fighting can face five years in jail and a $1,000 fine.
To report dog fighting, call your local CrimeStoppers program or the Humane Society at 202-452-1100.
Seems like one good thing that came out of the Michael Vick case is that awareness has been raised about this cruel practice. Any other thoughts?
My only other comment is: If you don’t know your local CrimeStoppers number (I sure don’t), call the police. This is a crime, not something that is none of your business.
Here is the AP story. (Photo by Associated Press)
By BILL KACZOR"
Associated Press Writer"
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Winston, the black pit bull, is gentle and happy in his new home, his adoptive family says.
But when animal officials confiscated him from a fighting ring last July he was emaciated, covered with scars and had two fractures in his right front leg and heart worms. Authorities said Winston was used as “bait” to train fighting dogs.
The Humane Society of the United States used the pit bull Wednesday during its announcement of a $5,000 reward program for reporting illegal animal fighting in Florida.
The reward program, offered nationally, will be paid out of donations that have poured in after the arrest of former Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick.
Vick is serving 23 months in federal prison after admitting he helped run a dogfighting ring out of his Virginia home and executed dogs that performed poorly.
“It says a lot about our society when people are still getting entertainment out of two animals ripping each other apart,” said Laura Bevan, the Humane Society’s southeast regional director.
Attorney General Bill McCollum stooped down to pet mild-mannered Winston before joining Bevan to announce the reward program at a news conference outside the Florida Capitol.
Besides being cruel to animals, McCollum said many people involved in dog and cock fighting often commit violent crimes against people.
Winston’s former owner is awaiting sentencing after pleading guilty to 10 counts of animal fighting and four counts of animal cruelty.
Amy Raddar, an animal shelter volunteer, has adopted the pit bull. She said he gets along fine with her four children, two cats and four other dogs including two more pit bulls.
“Knowing him and his gentle soul, I think he probably wasn’t mean enough to be the top fighting dog,” she said. “So I think they used him to train their other dogs.”
Animal fighting reports can be phoned in to the Humane Society at 202-452-1100 or local Crime Stoppers programs, which allows informants to remain anonymous and still get rewards.
People charged with animal fighting can face up to five years in prison and a $5,000 fine. The maximum for spectators is a year in jail and a $1,000 fine.
ANGIE BRENNAN, a Sun-Sentinel page designer,
lives with four dogs and one boyfriend. And has a lifetime of animal stories to share.
DIANE LADE, a reporter on the Sun-Sentinel's Help Team, has lived with cats, dogs, reptiles, fish, an iguana, and an armadillo.
CYNDI METZGER, editor of the Sun-Sentinel's Outlook section, is smitten with Bella, her poodle who regularly ignores requests to sit, stay and get off the ivory-colored sofa. 
JOHN TANASYCHUK, a Sun-Sentinel lifestyle writer, has lived with cats as long as he can remember. He and his partner currently share their home with three.
