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that there was an “‘actual arrest or restraint on freedom’ of the degree associated with formal arrest,” statements made by questioned persons may not be admissible in court. See Miranda v. Arizona, 384 U.S. 436, 477 (1966) and California v. Beheler, 463 U.S. 1121, 1125 (1983). Factors tending to negate “accidental” presence • Remoteness of location • Care (if any) used to screen attendees • Proximity of person to exhibition • Duration of presence • Relationship of given suspect to others who are present Dogfighting Who participates in dogfighting? Promoter. This individual makes all the arrangements necessary to conduct a match, show or convention. He typically owns or controls the fight location. He is responsible for arranging contracts, selecting referees, supplying or constructing the pit or arena and supplying equipment. He sets and collects admission fees for spectators. The promoter also controls any vendors, food and liquor sales and any house gambling, either completely or through a percentage fee arrangement. Promoters monitor police scanners and are responsible for arranging pit-site security. This can be as extensive as hiring armed guards to monitor the perimeter or as casual as paying a neighbor to blow a car horn or call if anyone suspicious approaches the fight area. Handlers. These are the individuals responsible for handling the animals during the fight. If not the actual owner, the handler is usually paid a percentage of the bet if the animal wins. Only the fight referee and the handlers 32 The Humane Society of the United States of the two dogs are permitted in the pit itself during a match. Referee. This is the individual who officiates during a match and who is well versed in the various rules under which the fight is to take place. If the match is between animals of high fighting quality or a convention is being held to attract national participants, the referee is established within dogfighting circles. The referee’s travel expenses, meals, lodging and fight fee are the responsibility of the promoter. This fee can vary greatly, but $200 to more than $500 per day is not unusual for a major fight or for a convention, depending on the number of matches scheduled. Spectators. The individuals who attend animal fights are motivated in different ways. It may be to gamble, encourage a friend’s or relative’s entry, accompany a spouse, enter an animal or just be entertained. Spectators—as well as promoters, handlers, referees and fighters—can be of any age, sex, race, financial status or occupation. Profile of a dogfighter Dogfighters generally fall into one of three categories: Organized (Professional). These individuals take great pride in breeding, training and fighting their own dogs. They operate on a national—sometimes international—level and are featured in underground publications on a regular basis. They are generally well informed about humane organizations, police investigation techniques and local enforcement personnel. The fights they participate in are usually high-stakes matches featuring experienced dogs with established bloodlines. Hobbyists. These individuals live within a reasonable distance of each other and are familiar with everyone involved. Individuals in this group tend to put a greater emphasis on the gambling involved in dogfighting than the continuance of “game” bloodlines through Specialized cases


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