A huge dog fighting bust in Georgia has netted illegal firearms, drugs, more than $25,000 and 123 arrests on charges of felony animal cruelty, dog fighting and illegal gambling. When police raided the house in Covington on Saturday, they found a blood-soaked fighting arena with a dead dog alongside it and another dog so badly wounded that she was later euthanized.
Meanwhile, on Tuesday, February 3, notorious dogfighter James Fiarris will be sentenced for felony dogfighting charges in Sapulpa, Oklahoma. Fiarris pleaded guilty to the felony charges last year, following a lengthy investigation in which authorities found dozens of bloody, scarred fighting dogs on his property, along with dogfighting tools and a bloodied fighting pit. The dogs, which authorities failed to seize during the raid, were later sold off by Fiarris, most likely to other dog fighters and further cruel fates.
WHAT YOU CAN DO:
1. Contact the Newton County District Attorney, and ask him to vigorously prosecute those involved in the Covington dog fighting ring where 123 were arrested.
Newton County District Attorney Ken Wynne
1132 Usher St Rm 313
Covington, GA 30014
Fax: 770-784-2069
2. Many of you may have written to the judge in this case back in November, when Fiarris' sentencing was originally scheduled. Given the lengthy delay in sentencing, a resurgence in letters to the judge is now needed to ensure that Fiarris does not get off lightly for causing so many dogs to suffer such terrible pain and fear. Respectfully urge the Judge to give Fiarris considerable jail time (he faces a maximum ten years for each felony charge) for his cruel crimes.
The Honorable Donald Thompson
Creek County District Court
222 E. Dewey
3rd Floor
Sapulpa, OK 74066
Fax: 918-227-5030
3. Contact your members of Congress and ask they cosponsor H.R. 1532/S. 736, the Animal Fighting Prohibition Enforcement Act. This legislation would set felony level penalties for interstate transport of fighting animals and ban the transport of the knives and ice pick like gaffs that are attached to the heels of animals used in cockfights. You can find out who represents you in the U.S. Congress by visiting http://www.congress.org or by calling the HSUS at 202-955-3668.
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