JUDGE STRIKES MAJOR FINANCIAL BLOW AGAINST

[280PLUS]

Oops, sorry the title got cut short there...

JUDGE STRIKES MAJOR FINANCIAL BLOW AGAINST

DOG FIGHTING IN NEW YORK



WASHINGTON (November 22, 2005)--Yesterday, in Goshen, New York, County Court Judge Nicholas DeRosa ordered convicted dogfighter James Fricchione to pay the Warwick Valley Humane Society more than $130,000 in restitution for the cost of caring for dogs seized from Fricchione by the New York State Police more than two years ago. The order was issued after lawyers for The Humane Society of the United States, the Animal Protection Foundation of Schenectady, and a broad coalition of animal shelters filed legal papers urging full restitution for the Warwick Valley Humane Society.

Fricchione was convicted in April 2004 of numerous felonies and misdemeanors for dog fighting-related crimes, including tampering with evidence when he attempted to remove two of his dogs from the Warwick Valley Humane Society’s shelter. At the time of Fricchione’s arrest, Eric Sakach, blood sports expert for The HSUS, described the charges against him as comprising “easily…the most significant case ever prosecuted with regard to the crime of dog fighting,”

Fricchione was sentenced to 2 1/3 to seven years in state prison in April, 2004, and that conviction was affirmed by the Supreme Court, Appellate Division, Second Department last July. A restitution hearing was then held before Judge DeRosa on September 19, at which Assistant District Attorney David Hoovler asked that the court order full financial restitution to the shelters that cared for Fricchione’s dogs during the adjudication of the case.

“The shelters that courageously assisted the law enforcement authorities by taking charge of the dogs seized in this case certainly deserve to be indemnified,” said HSUS program coordinator Samantha Mullen. “They incurred enormous financial as well as emotional burdens. In addition, they were targets of burglary attempts because fighting dogs are notoriously coveted by criminals who know their worth in the underground world of blood sports.”

James Fricchione, former publisher of Sporting Dog Journal, a magazine subscribed to by thousands of individuals suspected or convicted of dog fighting – some of whom received the publication at their prison addresses – is well known to dogfighters throughout the country and abroad.

“This ruling sends a powerful message to dogfighters that The HSUS and local humane organizations are going to use the courts aggressively to make sure that the costs of animal cruelty fall squarely on the backs of the perpetrators,” said Jonathan Lovvorn, HSUS vice president of animal protection litigation. “Dogfighters like Fricchione are not only going to have to do the time, but also pay the fine for their cruel blood sport.”

The Humane Society of the United States is the nation's largest animal protection organization representing more than 9.4 million members and constituents. The non-profit organization is a mainstream voice for animals, with active programs in companion animals and equine protection, disaster preparedness and response, wildlife and habitat protection, animals in research and farm animal welfare. The HSUS protects all animals through education, investigation, litigation, legislation, advocacy, and field work. The group is based in Washington and has numerous field representatives across the country. On the web at www.hsus.org.

Media Contact: Karen L. Allanach (301) 548-7778, [email protected].

The Humane Society of the United States
2100 L St., NW
Washington, DC 20037
www.hsus.org
Promoting the Protection of All Animals

Interested in taking action online to help animals? Then join our online community and sign up for our Humane Action Network. Go to www.hsus.org/join .

 

[ArmedBear]

The HSUS is filth, especially because they hide behing the respected name Humane Society. They're a more image-conscious PeTA. I won't give a word of support to emotionally-driven anti-hunting organizations.

Furthermore, as much as I dislike dog fighting, the "sport" has become FAR worse for the dogs than it was before it went underground.

Beloved family pets were once fought; fights were for points, not "to the death" like some illegal fights are now. Dogs were not mistreated, beaten, or otherwise abused to the level they currently are. Dogs were bred to be completely non-human-aggressive when fights were legitimate. Now they are often bred to be dangerous.

Now the guy that they busted is also filth. But the unintended consequences of driving dog fighting underground are horrible. It was not a "blood sport" when it was legal.

Does that mean I think it should be legal? I don't know. As the owner of a very sweet, loving rescued APBT I hate the thought of dog fighting. But if you look into this more deeply, it's a complex issue. This lawsuit will just cause other fighters to keep their dogs in basements and kill them whenever there's a risk they will be found. Is that better?

 

[Biker]

People who fight their dogs should be thrown bound and naked, genitals covered in bacon grease, into a basement with a whole pack of starving fighting dogs. Hell, I'd pay moby bucks to see that.BTW, I'm a member of the Humane Society. We do some good, believe it or not.
Biker

 

[ArmedBear]

BTW HSUS opposes all hunting, as well as animal research (which they are willing to see phased out). They are another group opposing turkey dinners.

Their position statements are not as extreme as PeTA's, but they are essentially the same. Clothed incrementalist animal rights activists probably pose a greater threat to medicine, the food supply, and even the ecosystem than the few naked bomb-throwing radicals that no one pays much attention to.

 

[ArmedBear]

People who fight their dogs should be thrown bound and naked, genitals covered in bacon grease, into a basement with a whole pack of starving fighting dogs. Hell, I'd pay moby bucks to see that.BTW, I'm a member of the Humane Society. We do some good, believe it or not.
Biker

You a member of the HSUS or the local Humane Society? They're two different things.

 

[Biker]

Around these parts, most of us hunt and those who don't are more than happy to get an elk roast or two thrown their way.
I wear a pin on my cut-off proudly proclaiming me to be a member of the Humane Society, right above my DILLIGAF patch. I've never had anyone give me crap over it.
Biker

 

[ArmedBear]

Around these parts, most of us hunt and those who don't are more than happy to get an elk roast or two thrown their way.
I wear a pin on my cut-off proudly proclaiming me to be a member of the Humane Society, right above my DILLIGAF patch. I've never had anyone give me crap over it.
Biker

That wasn't my question. Are you a member of the local Humane Society, or the HSUS? The two entities are different.

If you're an HSUS member, I'd invite you to read their web site.

I support my local Humane Society. They're great.

 

[280PLUS]

Let's not get into a flame war please...

I don't know HSUS from The "Humane Society" I thought they were one and the same. I DO know I was refered to these people by a Doberman rescue league that I support up in New England here and they have been leading the coordination of New England LEO / ACO in the fight against dog and cock fighting up this way. I was not aware that their agenda extends any further than that.

 

[Biker]

Just local. We find homes for abandoned and abused pets, that sort of thing. Look for and break up dog-fighting rings ...
Biker

 

[ArmedBear]

Let's not get into a flame war please...

I don't know HSUS from The "Humane Society" I thought they were one and the same. I DO know I was refered to these people by a Doberman rescue league that I support up in New England here and they have been leading the coordination of New England LEO / ACO in the fight against dog and cock fighting up this way. I was not aware that their agenda extends any further than that. Again, I

That's why they use the name.

They also are engaging in a ludicrous 5-year war on the obvious parody web site "Bonsai Kitten."

I also support and participate in dog rescue. At least HSUS opposed BSL, which is more than can be said for PeTA which advocates killing off APBTs.

 

[280PLUS]

I just perused their website and I see what you're getting at. Let's face it, they're animal rights activists through and through so I guess we could expect all of what I see there. They are certainly not middle of the road. Thanks for the insight on the organization. It's always good to be aware of the big picture.

I recall attending a meeting where one of the main discussions was what to do with some 40 - 50 fighting cocks that had been seized. I suggested a chicken BBQ. Being the smartass I am,,,even funnier given this new info on HSUS.

But the problem was a real one. Small town, no place to put them but a private kennel which wasn't free. The each had to be kept separately because if you put them together they'd fight. Can't place them with other chickens on a farm cause they'll kill them. Can't euthanize till after the trial because they are EVIDENCE. Wiped out the ACO's budget of $500 (IIRC) in like 2 days.

So this lawsuit now means possible restitution to a town placed in the same predicament. Of course a judgement is one thing, actually collecting is another.

Incidentally most fighting dogs cannot be placed and are therefore doomed to euthanasia when seized.

Let me clarify, most dogs that have been TRAINED TO FIGHT cannot be placed.

I love the Pit, I used to have a friend that raised them. They were nothing more than dogs as far as we were concerned, not a mean streak in them. It's the people that own them that determine what kind of dog they'll be.

 

[Biker]

Around here, one of our major problems is dog-napping. A lot of the migrant farm-workers steal family pets to use as 'training-dummies' for their fighting dogs. They're hard to track down and even harder to prosecute.
Gotta try, though.
Biker

 

[javafiend]

Glad to see that they're cracking down on dog-on-dog violence.

 

[280PLUS]

A lot of the migrant farm-workers steal family pets to use as 'training-dummies' for their fighting dogs.

Same thing with "free to a good home" dogs. I truly believe I accidentally gave my poor dog to a dog fighter for just such a purpose after running a "free dog" ad in the local rag. I was a little naive on the subject at the time. It was years ago and I still feel bad about it.

 

[LAR-15]

Those folks are serious nutcases.

Always have been. Always will be.

HSUS=

 

[Biker]

Same thing with "free to a good home" dogs. I truly believe I accidentally gave my poor dog to a dog fighter for just such a purpose after running a "free dog" ad in the local rag. I was a little naive on the subject at the time. It was years ago and I still feel bad about it.

Yes, that happens around here too. Makes ya 'fightin' mad', doesn't it?
Biker

 

[Azrael256]

'training-dummies' for their fighting dogs

Guess where my dog came from. One of her littermates didn't make it. I came up with a fair punishment for the worthless bastards who did it to her involving a pack of hungry pitbulls, a pair of handcuffs, and a few strips of bacon. It seems that Biker and I have a similar opinion on that issue.

Fortunately for my dog, the worst part of her life now is the difficult decision of who's bed to sleep on.

 

[Biker]

Guess where my dog came from. One of her littermates didn't make it. I came up with a fair punishment for the worthless bastards who did it to her involving a pack of hungry pitbulls, a pair of handcuffs, and a few strips of bacon. It seems that Biker and I have a similar opinion on that issue.

Fortunately for my dog, the worst part of her life now is the difficult decision of who's bed to sleep on.

Good on you, Friend. Good on you, and I'm glad your dog is now happy and safe.
Biker

 

[LAR-15]

Guess where my dog came from. One of her littermates didn't make it. I came up with a fair punishment for the worthless bastards who did it to her involving a pack of hungry pitbulls, a pair of handcuffs, and a few strips of bacon. It seems that Biker and I have a similar opinion on that issue.

Fortunately for my dog, the worst part of her life now is the difficult decision of who's bed to sleep on.

You did what?

A pair of handcuffs for multiple people? Right

 

[280PLUS]

Makes ya 'fightin' mad', doesn't it?

Yea it does...

Thanks for the heads up on the hsus. All these years I thought it was just the plain ol' Humane Society.

 

[CentralTexas]

Say what?

"Does that mean I think it should be legal? I don't know. As the owner of a very sweet, loving rescued APBT I hate the thought of dog fighting. But if you look into this more deeply, it's a complex issue."

What's complex about a barbaric and cruel event like that? If you have to think about it I'm worried....
CT

 

[ArmedBear]

We have a rescued APBT. I would probably do my best to kill anyone who used her as a training dummy. She is one of the most gregarious, loving dogs (towards everyone she meets) that I have ever seen. The vet and the kennel say the same thing, and if we ever have to find a home for her, we already have a list of offers. I am currently wearing a pro-pitbull t-shirt, and we donate money to APBT rescue.

That should let you know where I stand.

Now, with respect to dog fighting. The nature of the activity was different when it was legal. Dogs were not trained to attack kittens. They were generallly not allowed to hurt each other seriously. For that matter, my dog, while dog-friendly and non-aggressive, absolutely loves to "spar" with a dog who is her friend. Fighting, of a sort, is in her genes. She just has no interest in actually hurting another dog, just scoring points like a modern human boxer.

Here's a good summary: http://www.realpitbull.com/fight.html

Now, I do not approve of using an animal bred to be our companion as a fighter for entertainment. It's a lot like highly intelligent and silver-tongued Don King using slow-witted but fast-fisted Mike Tyson to make a few million bucks, but 100 times worse, because we control domesticated dogs 100%.

It is just wrong to use an animal that way, IMO.

The problem comes when I consider the REAL results of criminalizing dog fighting. Ghetto scum and illegal immigrants hold VERY different fights from what might happen in an out-in-the-open, regulated activity. If dog fights were above-board, then the way the animals were trained and treated could be scrutinized. But since they're underground, most dogs suffer and die without anyone knowing about their plight, except for the human refuse who is involved in the fighting rings.

And kudos to all of you who help save these dogs!

BTW when fighting was "legit", fight-trained dogs COULD become family pets, if they were not already. They were never human-aggressive. Now, they generally have to be put down. That, to me, is evidence of something that has become horribly worse.

I do not support dog fighting. But I am often faced with this dilemma. I have to worry about my dog being stolen, every single day. This is the result of the underground fighting rings.

If we can catch them all, that would be the best thing, I guess. But can we?

 

[280PLUS]

So we see another fine example of how, having made something illegal, the criminal element will step right in and run the show for those who will do it anyways.

Along with that comes the type of activity described above.

The meeting I went to consisted of mostly local ACOs. One LEO and the rep from hsus (I guess). I was the token civilian unknowingly representing the NHDRL (New Hampshire Doberman Rescue League). I thought I was going to a seminar on how to spot animal fighting activity for service techs, electricians. plumbers, that kind of stuff. The idea was we get into a lot of places others don't. Anyhow most of the ACOs were 20 to 30 something beautiful single womens. They seemed a bit jaded however and after hearing a few of the tales they told, I can understand why. They got into Animal Control because they love animals and they want to help them. The job has shown them on no uncertain terms how cruel some people can be and it has had a telling effect on them. I spent about 3 hours listening to ACO horror stories.

Unfortunately, it was decided civilians were not,,, uh,,,necessary, so that was the only meeting I ever attended. I was a bit saddened by that as I was single at the time too.

I still get the minutes and other stuff in the email though, which is where the original post came from.