An update from the Humane Society of Missouri:
As you'll remember, on July 8, 2009 a multi-state federal dog fighting raid resulted in the rescue of more than 500 fighting dogs. Federal agents made 26 arrests and dogs were rescued in 8 states. This rescue operation was the largest dog fighting raid in U.S. history. The Humane Society of Missouri participated in the 18-month investigation and led the subsequent rescue and shelter operations, working in partnership with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the United States Department of Agriculture’s Office of the Inspector General, the U.S. Marshals Service and the United States Attorneys in the Eastern and Western Districts of Missouri and the Southern Illinois District.
On Tuesday, December 8, 2009, noting the torture inflicted by people who train dogs to maim other dogs because that’s where the money is today, the Honorable Carol E. Jackson, United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Missouri, sentenced four of the defendants in the largest dog fighting case in U.S. history to terms in federal prison ranging from 12 months and one day to 18 months. Judge Jackson stated the crimes these defendants committed rose to the level of “extraordinary cruelty” warranting sentences which would be a “deterrence to the defendants and the community.”
Although these sentences significantly exceed current federal sentencing guidelines and we applaud Judge Jackson for imposing them. The Humane Society of Missouri believes federal and state dog fighting penalties and sentences should be strengthened to reflect the very serious nature of this heinous crime. In the coming weeks and months, they will be working to help convince those responsible to increase the penalties for dog fighting, both on the state and federal levels.
At For Love of a Dog we're contacting our state and federal elected officials to demand stronger penalties for dog fighting and animal cruelty. Please consider doing the same.
Woof! Tucker
Former Official blog of For Love of a Dog Jewelry - Home of Dog Song Saturday
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