use stall tactics to check out the investigator’s claimed employment or business and may also try to visit his or her purported residence. However, there have been an increasing number of successful prosecutions in states where statutes proscribe owning, possessing, selling, breeding, keeping or training animals with the intent to enter them in any exhibition of fighting, or keeping a place for the fighting or baiting of animals. Investigators have found that dogfighters tend to keep a considerable amount of incriminating evidence on the property, in their homes and in vehicles. Probable cause for a search warrant is often obtained through surveillance to verify possession of staked-out pit bull dogs (some bearing scars consistent with those found on dogs used for fighting), training or conditioning devices such as treadmills and catmills and dogfighting pits. In several recent cases, evidence was visible from the perimeter of the suspects’ properties or from the air. Regularly checking the classified pet ads in local newspapers, Craigslist and online pit bull forums is an excellent way of initiating contact with breeders and fighters. Even if breeders are opposed to dogfighting, they often will have some contact with individuals interested in purchasing fighting dogs and may be able to provide information. 42 The Humane Society of the United States Underground dogfighting publications such as The Sporting Dog Journal, Scratch Back Magazine, Pit Bull Tribune, Pit Bull Advertiser, Performance A.P.B.T., Game Dog Quarterly, Pit Bull Reporter and others have proven to be excellent sources of information and leads for investigators. While some of these publications are difficult to acquire as they may require a sponsor in order to obtain a subscription, they are often worth the effort, since most contain fight reports from around the country, advertisements for puppies from proven stock, dogs open to match and dogfighting paraphernalia. Although advertisements contain information along with addresses or phone numbers that can be checked, many fighters use aliases in their fight reports due to the fear of being caught. Knowledge of these pseudonyms makes it possible to track certain individuals in the publications. Familiarity with dogs’ names can be helpful, too. While individuals might use an alias, a dog’s name often remains the same throughout his or her life. The dog’s name is usually two-part, with the first identifying the breeder or current owner and the second being the dog’s name (example: Ironrun’s Spike). An affidavit by an expert witness can help demonstrate the significance of such evidence and assist investigators in obtaining a search warrant. Possible sources of information used to build successful cases might include the following examples: • Underground dogfighting publications • Sites on the internet or other online services devoted to dogfighting • Suppliers of dogfighting equipment or paraphernalia • Breeders running classified ads in local newspapers • Local humane society or animal control personnel • Dog license records • Local veterinarians Specialized cases
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