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and a detailed record of all injuries should be obtained from the examining veterinarian. All animals received at the sheltering facility should be given a thorough exam by a veterinarian for health problems and to determine the extent of any new or old injuries. Carcasses of any deceased dogs located at the site or of dogs who do not survive should also be examined, photographed and held as evidence pending trial. For more information about illegal animal fighting investigations, including detailed information on the long-term housing of dogs from these cases, contact an HSUS animal fighting expert (see Appendix VIII). Once dogs seized in a dogfighting investigation are no longer required to be held as evidence, their disposition comes into question. The HSUS recommends that all dogs rescued from these cases be evaluated to determine their suitability for adoption or placement into rescue. It is HSUS policy that all dogs from these cases be treated as individuals and afforded the same opportunities for placement and adoption as dogs rescued from other types of animal cruelty cases. In fact, the HSUS Emergency Placement Partner program has found loving homes for hundreds of dogs from these cases. Search warrant Investigations into organized dogfighting may lead in several directions and continue for months before sufficient information is gathered for an arrest or search warrant. When that time comes, the paragraph that follows can serve as a guide to preparing a search warrant for evidence of dogfighting. “All American pit bull terriers born and unborn, fighting dogs, guard dogs, and dogfighting paraphernalia, to wit: treadmills, catmills, exercise wheels, hides, or other material used as hanging devices to strengthen or condition dogs; collars, leashes, chains, and other devices used to exercise or restrain fighting dogs; wooden sticks or handles used to pry open dogs’ jaws; magazines, photographs, film, videotapes, or 46 The Humane Society of the United States writings that depict or promote dogfighting or training or conditioning of dogs for dogfighting; any still cameras or movie or video cameras used to record dogfighting activity; all portable carrying cases and pens; antibiotics, drugs, or vitamins used to treat injured dogs or to enhance their performance; needles and syringes used for the administration of such drugs; suture kits and other veterinary supplies; weapons, handguns, shotguns, or rifles used to protect the premises upon which illegal dogfighting occurs; computers and computer diskettes or other removable media containing information related to dogfighting; registration papers or other written materials showing ownership of pit bull dogs or other fighting dogs, including bills of sale, pedigrees, breeding records, and veterinary records; any dogfighting records, including name and telephone number lists of persons suspected of being dogfighters; any awards, trophies, plaques, or ribbons promoting or relating to dogfighting; any constructed enclosures or components of any pits or arenas used for the purpose of dogfighting or training dogs for fighting; any carpeting or other materials used on the floor of such pits; weight scales; any washtubs, buckets, pails, and sponges used to wash dogs; any rules, contracts, or other written agreements concerning the fighting of dogs.” How to interpret fight reports Excerpts of several fight reports from an underground publication appear on the next page Specialized cases


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To see the actual publication please follow the link above