Animal fighting is an insidious underground organized crime that, while completely outlawed in the United States, has managed to reach epidemic proportions in many urban and rural communities. The “sport” of animal fighting is actually a felony crime that typically brings with it other crimes, such as animal cruelty, gambling, illegal drug use and sales, illegal weapon possession and sales, and others. It thrives primarily because of a strong underground network of participants and a lack of training on effective investigation and prosecution techniques.

Who should attend:

American Humane’s Animal Fighting Investigation Workshop offers suggestions for identifying animal fighting participants and gives solid, proven methods for animal cruelty investigators, animal control and law enforcement officers, animal welfare staff and veterinarians to successfully investigate and prosecute these crimes. The course uses a non-traditional method of investigation instruction and applies the systemic approach to resolving problems.

Topics include:

• Overview of Animal Fighting
  
  --National efforts
  
  --Relationship between law enforcement and Animal Control
• Animal Fighting and Felony Cruelty
• Dogfighting
  
  -- Fighting dogs and the American pit bull terrier
  
  -- Participants
  
  -- Fighter profiles
  
  -- Street fighting
  
  -- Training and conditioning
  
  -- How dogfights are conducted
  
  -- Sample evidence
• The investigator’s role
• The investigation process
  
  -- Investigative techniques
  
  -- Utilizing complainants and informants
  
  -- Search warrants and raid responsibilities
  
  -- Officer safety
• Introduction to Cockfighting
  
  -- The gamecock
  
  -- Participants
  
  -- Fight preparation
  
  -- How cockfights are conducted
• Internet resourcesQ & A

Register today! Tuition: Based on number of days of training. Email training@americanhumane.org for information. Includes lectures and hands-on training. (Scholarships are not available for this class).

All dates and locations for this topic:

Waterford, VA -- June 2, 2009

Augusta, ME -- October 23, 2009

For exact locations, see the Event Calendar.