SC: Battle against animal fighting never ends

Battle against animal fighting never ends

USC mascot called out during daylong seminar

Posted: Wednesday, May 15, 2013 7:26 pm | Updated: 7:48 am, Thu May 16, 2013.

LINDSAY S. BUCHANAN, Morning News

FLORENCE, S.C. — Law enforcement agencies from the Pee Dee and around the state were represented Wednesday at an all-day training session designed to teach them how to investigate and prosecute animal cruelty cases and their associated crimes.

Kimberly Kelly, South Carolina state director for the Humane Society of the United States, which helped sponsor the training, said representatives from 19 different law enforcement agencies were on hand at Francis Marion University’s Cauthen Educational Media Center. The chief trainer was Sgt. Michael Gabrielson, an Ohio police officer who spent almost 14 months working undercover investigating an organized dog fighting ring.

Gabrielson said animal cruelty and fighting have direct links to other crimes.

“Most law enforcement is unaware of the correlation between the animal fighting and all the other crimes that go with that,” Gabrielson said. “It’s not just about the animal cruelty, although that’s bad enough. It’s about all the other crimes that are associated with it — the guns, the drugs, the violence — that come along with cock fighting and dog fighting.”

By training law enforcement in how to recognize, investigate and prosecute animal cruelty and its associated crimes, investigators are more likely to document the proper evidence they need for court so that those who commit these crimes can get a maximum sentencing.

Kelly said the Humane Society encourages rehabilitation in many cases of animal cruelty but that the organization is eager to work with law enforcement on these issues because they want officers to recognize that animal cruelty comes in many forms and that it’s prevalent in South Carolina.

“Often times in animal cruelty, it’s neglect that is unintentional and otherwise they are good pet owners, and we want them to be able to keep their pet and educate them on how to properly care for them, but in egregious cases of animal cruelty, it’s probably best that the animals are not returned to the owner,” Kelly said.

Gabrielson provided a detailed overview on cock fighting and dog fighting to the officers, as well as tips on investigating, documenting and prosecuting criminals involved in animal cruelty.

Cock fighting in particular is such an ingrained part of U.S. culture, particularly in South Carolina where the fighting gamecock is one of the major university’s mascots, that many people may not even realize it is illegal, said Gabrielson.

The “sport” is documented historically as far back as 2000 B.C. and was brought to the U.S. with some of the first European settlers.

Cock fighting is a high-dollar sport where the animals are specifically bred, and a well-bred gamecock can sell for $100-$1,000.

During a fight the animals are armed with either a 2-inch knife or gaffs attached to their ankles which are meant to inflict harm and typically kill their opponent.

A derbie, a round-robin style tournament, is currently the most popular style of fighting and is set up professionally with betting similar to a horse race. Side bets and wagers also take place, all of which constitute as illegal gambling.

There are entry fees for spectators, which go into the pot for the winners. Paid referees are actually brought in to call the fights. There are often even concession stands and land for rent so people can camp out through the weekend.

Despite that, Gabrielson said the lesson he’s trying to get across is about more than animal cruelty.

“It’s not just about the cock fighting — we all know they’re just going to get a fine,” Gabrielson said. “Why should I pour all these resources into investigating cock fighting? Well, this is why — because they do other crimes. There are drugs connected to a lot of cock fighters and other crimes as well.”

The training is important because often the events are difficult to investigate since the spectators can be anyone officers know, including politicians, law enforcement, businessmen and even families with children.

Battle against animal fighting never ends - SCNow: Local News