Barrio Dogs to Work with Crime Stoppers

We recently met Ryan Sullivan, Director of Communications for Crime Stoppers. They are interested in partnering with Barrio Watch Dog and want to help us with reporting animal abuse and especially any information leading to dog fighting.We welcome their help and are glad to work with them!

Ryan Sullivan and Gloria Medina Zenteno

Crime Stoppers Gets Involved In Anti-Dogfighting

September 2, 2011
by: Bill Stamps

When you think of Crime Stoppers, you probably think of crimes like murders and sex offenses. Add animal cruelty to that list. Several animal advocacy groups held a news conference today to announce their new partnership with Crime Stoppers. 

Dogfighting and animal cruelty is something Harris County has been dealing with for some time now. Authorities busted a big ring more than a year ago that led to numerous arrests. But they continue to find the corpses of dogs believed to be used in fights. Now, Crime Stoppers is stepping in as another tool in this battle. 

This is Crime Stoppers Executive Director Katherine Cabiniss: "If you see signs of abuse, an animal with injuries that are going unreported or untreated, call Crime Stoppers, or call the police. If you know of a dogfight that is going to take place in your community, or if you know someone who is planning a dogfight, or is attending a dogfight, call Crime Stoppers, or call the police."

Tina Lundquist Faust is with nonprofit group PetSet. Even though dogfighting continues to plague the Houston area, she believes the situation is improving.  "I think that there is progress being made. I think because so many people are aware and because of events like this it creates awareness and people recognize that it is a crime and that something can be done."

With Crime Stoppers now getting involved, people will also have access to rewards.  "It’s people that are in the rescue groups, that are in the adoption centers that see the abuse that may have a link to abusers and they’re maybe not sure where to go, but through Crime Stoppers, they have a way to turn these people in and get them off the streets."

The state is also trying to do its part. State Senator John Whitmire says the legislature passed several laws related to animal cruelty, including one that allow them to keep track of people who may be breeding for criminal purposes.

"We passed an anti-puppy mill legislation. If you have eleven or more breeding females, you will be regulated by the state of Texas and have standards. That was a huge step forward. We passed in the Senate an animal registration list. It was modeled after the sexual offenders registration list, knowing that these individuals that abuse animals will most likely then repeat those crimes, often against humans."

Crime Stoppers rewards of up to five thousand dollars. The number to call is 713-222 TIPS.

Link to story.

Dogfighting Video Game Deserves to Die

Opinion L.A.
Observations and provocations from The Times' Opinion staff
August 30, 2011

My colleague Jon Healey, in his post, "Technology: Should Google censor a dogfighting game?," argues that Kage Games' KG Dogfighting video game, available through Google's Android Marketplace, may be distasteful but that it shouldn't be censored. Even though dogfighting is a felony in all 50 states.
I completely agree that it's the company's 1^stAmendment right to sell the game -- and the buyers' right to buy it -- despite the game itself being despicable.  There are plenty of despicable video games out there. And I believe critics couldn't sue the company claiming it promotes crime.
But I don't see anything wrong with lobbying Google to stop selling it -- and, at the same time, lobbying the company to stop making the game, as Healey suggests.
As for this statement from Kage -- "What makes the Google Android platform special is that it gives the freedom and responsibility to the individual users to decide what to put on their phones as opposed to the phone carriers and app stores making value judgments on our behalf" -- talk about palaver.  Companies make value judgments and taste decisions all the time about what they will and won't sell.  The Los Angeles Times won't run ads for sex toys.   The broadcast networks won't let TV show characters use curse words or crude slang.   Maybe they should let viewers and parents of young viewers decide for themselves what they will or will not watch.  Nope; they're deciding for you.
Google's Android Marketplace is not a university of higher learning where professors and students should be free to express their thoughts and ruminate on anything they choose.  It's just a commercial conduit to a bunch of games and apps for sale.  And if enough consumers are annoyed by what's being sold and can marshal enough pressure on Google to get it to stop selling something, I say go for it. 

Crack Down on Spectators at Animal Fights

Over the past decade, Congress has strengthened the penalties for and closed major loopholes in the federal animal fighting law, yet there is a remaining gap in the law that should be corrected to allow for a more comprehensive crackdown on this barbaric activity. Representatives Tom Marino (R-PA) and Betty Sutton (D-OH) have introduced H.R. 2492 to prohibit knowing attendance at an animal fighting event and bringing a minor to such an event.

Visit the Humane Society of America's website for information about contacting your legislators and letting them how your feel about H.R. 2492. Also, visit change.org to sign a petition in support of H.R. 2492.

Two Rescues, One Day

Nearly 50 dogs were rescued off two separate properties in North Carolina - one in Pamlico County and another in Jones County on August 4, 2011. Both were suspected dogfighting operations. Experts from The HSUS’ Animal Rescue Team were on the scene to help law enforcement document evidence and safely remove the dogs from the property. The animal rescue team is transporting the dogs to an undisclosed location where they will be cared for and provided with enrichment.

NPR Discussion of Federal Anti-Animal Fighting Legislation

Robert Siegel speaks with Michael Vick of the Philadelphia Eagles and Wayne Pacelle, president and CEO of The Humane Society of the United States, about a bill that will crack down on criminals who finance — and bring children to — dogfights and cockfights.

The Dogs Are Alright

The Story of Michael Vick's Dogs from PBS Video

Watch the full episode. See more Need To Know.