WA: Yakima trains on animal cruelty detection

By Crystal Bui Published: May 13, 2015 at 6:14 PM PDT

YAKIMA, Wash. -- Earlier this week, Governor Inslee signed into law a bill which strengthens first-degree animal cruelty statutes. It expands animal fighting laws from just dogs and roosters to all animals. Law enforcement and leaders from around the state trained in Yakima Wednesday to learn how to spot animal cruelty and how to handle illegal animal fighting rings.

The signs can be subtle and easy to miss. "Multiple scaring around the muzzle, the face the legs," explained Yakima Animal Control Officer Angel Reyes.

Dog fighting, as a sport, isn't something only seen in movies. Officer Reyes says it happens, in real life, right in Yakima County.

"Teeth have been filed down, just kind of raises red flags," said Officer Reyes.

Reyes believes about one in every five pit bulls confiscated show suspicious signs of having been in illegal dog fights. To address the crime, leaders brought in outside help -- experts to train the community on how to investigate and detect animal abuse and cruelty.

"These animals are being fought. And it's a "blood sport," that's what it's called," said Jeffrey Eyre, American Humane Association Program & Response Specialist. "And the fact that it's a combo of not just animal fighting, but other crime that's involved."

The "blood sport," can also spur other illegal activity -- like firearm possession, drug use, and gambling. While dog fighting is illegal in every state, not all animals are protected under the law. In some states, rooster fighting is allowed.

"That's part of the hard thing is I don't think a low of law enforcement knows that it's happening in their area simply because the criminal is smart enough to know it's hard to detect," said Pasado's Safe Haven Director of Investigations and Rescue, Kim Koon.

Wednesday's training session is working to change that -- showing the signs to search for so clues aren't missed.

For our community, Officer Reyes asks everyone keeps a watchful eye.

"If they see something out of the ordinary, especially scaring on dogs, dogs not being kept in the best condition, please call. That's what animal control is here for," said Officer Reyes.

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