ASPCA Assists George County Sheriff’s Office in Mississippi Dogfighting Case

Lucedale, Miss.—At the request of the George County Sheriff’s Office, the ASPCA^® (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals^®) is assisting with evidence collection, transportation, ongoing care and sheltering of nearly 20 dogs seized yesterday by local authorities during a dogfighting raid in George County. Local rescue groups, including Dixie Adoptables and Southern Hinds County Animal Shelter, are supporting the Sheriff’s Office by providing care for the animals until the ASPCA transports the animals to a temporary shelter at an undisclosed location on Saturday.

At the ASPCA temporary shelter, the animals will receive medical care and behavioral enrichment by ASPCA veterinary and behavior experts until they can be appropriately placed with rescue groups and animal shelters to be made available for adoption. The ASPCA will work closely with local law enforcement and prosecutors to ensure the best outcome for these animals.

“The George County Sheriff’s Office appreciates the assistance received from the ASPCA, Dixie Adoptables and the Southern Hinds County Animal Shelter,” said Sheriff Keith Harvard of the George County Sheriff’s Office. “This is an example of federal, state, and local agencies working together to make our communities safer.  It is our hope that this new partnership will continue to benefit the citizens of George County, and that opportunities to build on the teamwork established here will afford our community more resources for fighting animal crimes, and the criminal activities that surround that lifestyle.”

“We’ve seen time and time again that dogfighting is rampant across the country and we commend the George County Sheriff’s Office for investigating and taking swift action to end this horrific form of cruelty,” said Kathryn Destreza, Investigations Director of the ASPCA Field Investigations & Response team. “Being tied to heavy chains and being forced to fight only to feed their owner’s greed is no way to live. We’re pleased to be able to assist local authorities in providing resources, expertise and caring for these animals until we can determine suitable placement options and give many of them the second chance they deserve.”

Since 2010, the ASPCA has assisted with approximately 200 dogfighting cases in at least 24 states and has impacted nearly 5,000 victims of dogfighting through rescue, consultations, and investigations. For more information on the ASPCA’s efforts to tackle dogfighting and what the public can do to help, please visit www.aspca.org/breakthechain.