Investigating Animal Cruelty 31 • Transport cages and crates • Cockfighting implements (gaffs, slashers, mounting blocks, etc.) • Pit supplies (breaking sticks for dogs, match sheets, combat rule books, etc.) • Training and conditioning programs (keeps) • Clothing articles (T-shirts, caps, etc.) Another way those involved in animal fighting ventures make money is by selling animals and breeding services. For example, stud fees can reach $1,500 or more; puppies bring from $150 to more than $1,500; adult dogs and prospects can at times sell for several thousand or more; gamefowl can range in price from $75 to more than $300 for a single battle cock and from $150 to more than $1,000 for brood trios; and fertilized eggs can cost between $25 and $65. Prices vary greatly depending upon breeding, performance and geographical area. Most advertising of paraphernalia and animals by individuals is accomplished through underground publications, underground message boards and social networking sites such as Facebook. Other crimes are frequently associated with dogfighting and cockfighting. The presence of illicit drugs and weapons at animal fighting contests is common. According to a U.S. attorney and several drug enforcement agents, major drug networks involving marijuana and methamphetamine trafficking have been tied directly to animal fighting in several states. Raids on dogfighting and cockfighting operations have resulted in the seizure of large-scale marijuana operations and clandestine labs. A recent raid on a dogfighting operation in South Carolina resulted in the seizure of pipe bombs and bomb-making materials. Violence associated with these activities also appears to be on the rise. Examples include the gang rape of a young woman at a cockfight in Texas and an increase in homicides. A 2004 study by the Chicago Police Department documented that, of those arrested for animal crimes, including animal fighting, 65% had been arrested for violence to humans. Enforcement of animal fighting laws Due to the often large group of suspects who may be present at animal fighting exhibitions and the specialized nature of these crimes, there are a number of common challenges associated with the enforcement of animal fighting laws. These include having sufficient law enforcement personnel on the scene to detain and arrest all suspects while ensuring officer safety, as well as preserving (and later presenting) evidence establishing a given suspect’s specific intent to engage in the criminal activity as a principal or to be “present as a spectator at such fighting…for the purpose of watching such fighting” (People v. Superior Court (Elder), 201 Cal.App.3d 1061, 1064; see also id. at 1073, 1074). With these concerns in mind, law enforcement agents should consider the following recommendations: 1. Arrest only those persons whose proximity to and conduct at the location leave no reasonable doubt as to the reason for their presence there. 2. Photograph each arrestee (wearing a number) with the arresting officer. 3. Have the officer’s report reflect, with respect to each arrestee, what he or she was doing when first observed and where in relation to the fight scene that action occurred. 4. Photograph (and potentially video) the scene and those present immediately before arrests commence if possible. This evidence can be invaluable. 5. Question persons on the scene. Of course, caution must be taken when questioning such persons without first providing Miranda warnings. If the interrogations progress beyond “general on-the-scene questioning” or circumstances indicate Specialized cases
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