More than 20 law enforcement agents attended a workshop in Columbia on Wednesday to help prevent dog fighting and other types of animal cruelty.
Area animal control officers said animal abuse is a growing problem.
Most of the time, animal cruelty happens in secret locations. The list includes animal fighting, hoarding and puppy mills. To fight these problems, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals held a workshop for local animal control officers. The workshop included tools used by animal abuse and information that animal abuse can lead to other problems.
ASPCA spokesman Terry Mills said, “There’s usually going to be other crimes involved with dog fighting, either drugs or guns. It can be very violent at times.”
Investigators classify dog fighting as a blood sport. According to a recent ASPCA poll on blood sports, 81% of Americans said we need more resources to stop animal fighting. Animal control officers said blood sports, like dog fighting, are a very secretive and dangerous business. If you should see something like this, they recommend that you get as much information as you can, but don’t try to handle things by yourself. Investigators recommend that you call 911 and let the professionals take over.
Marshall Police Officer Kenny Clayton said, “People have a tendency to try and break up a fight. That’s the worst thing they can do. They end up getting bit. It’s better just to wait for law enforcement or an animal control officer to arrive and break it up.”
Local animal control officers said they will take what they’ve learned in the classroom and apply to their work on the streets.
The ASPCA recently gave a $15,000 grant that provides scholarships to local law enforcement agencies to help battle animal cruelty.
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