Forensic Investigations

Breaking News: ASPCA Assists in Dog Fighting Bust

Monday, March 25, 2013 - 2:30pm
Breaking News: ASPCA Assists in Dog Fighting Bust

The ASPCA is currently on the ground in multiple states assisting the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Missouri State Highway Patrol and the United States Attorney’s Office in a federal dog fighting raid spanning Texas, Missouri and Kansas. Nearly 100 dogs have been transported to a temporary shelter in an undisclosed location, where they are receiving veterinary care.

A search warrant was executed Saturday night in Kansas, after the FBI raided a contract dog fight in north Texas. Two additional warrants were served Sunday morning for the removal of the dogs in Missouri.

Dog fighting is a felony in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Please help us stop this barbaric form of cruelty and all others. Together we can save animals from lives of abuse.

Stay tuned to aspcarescue.org for more information and photos from this unfolding case.  Follow the conversation on Twitter using hashtag #3StateRaid.

Tags: 
Animal Cruelty
Dog Fighting
Dog Fighting Bust
Field Investigations and Response
Forensic Investigations

ASPCA Responders Head to D.C. to Assist with Presidential Inauguration

Tuesday, January 15, 2013 - 12:15pm
horse

Of course, we know the star of a presidential inauguration is the president. Still, we can’t help but focus on all the amazing horses who participate in the Inaugural Parade. Did you know that they come from all over the country and are specially selected to participate? Some are even therapy horses for soldiers in their daily lives.

No matter what your political affiliation, these gorgeous equines marching up Pennsylvania Avenue to ring in a new presidential term are quite a sight to behold.

This year, the ASPCA will be on hand to help. At the 57th Inauguration on Monday, these special horses will have the benefit of ASPCA experts stationed along the parade route in case any animal emergency should occur. 

We’re participating at the request of the D.C. Department of Health, and we couldn’t be more honored to help out.

Heading to the Inauguration Parade, too? We’ll see you there!

Tags: 
Disaster Response
Equines
Events
Forensic Investigations

Five More Get Jail Time After Multi-State Dog Fighting Raid

Monday, July 25, 2011 - 4:30pm

Justice has been served…again! Last Friday, five more defendants were convicted of animal cruelty and sentenced to time behind bars in connection with a massive dog fighting raid that the ASPCA helped carry out in July 2009. The operation spanned eight states—Missouri, Illinois, Iowa, Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Nebraska and Mississippi—and resulted in the rescue of more than 500 Pit Bulls.

“Even two years after the bust, the convictions keep coming,” says ASPCA Animal Fighting Specialist Terry Mills, who took part in the operation. In total, 103 arrests have made in conjunction with the raid—40 on federal charges and 63 on state charges.

The convicted offenders aren’t getting off easy.

“In the federal system, the recommended time for dog fighting is only probation to six months,” explains Mills. “Most of the federal judges in these cases are viewing that range as inadequate—sentencing has gone as high as 33 months in federal prison.”

Special Thanks!
Serious thumbs up to Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer Hudson of the Southern District of Illinois. Hudson has charged 15 defendants, and they’ve received an average sentence of 17 months.

Known as the “Missouri 500,” the rescued pups have since been placed in loving homes or with sanctuaries equipped to meet their special needs.

To learn more about this historic case, visit the ASPCA Raids and Investigations section.

Tags: 
Dog Fighting
Forensic Investigations

Subaru Donates Customized Animal CSI Vehicle to the ASPCA

Monday, May 24, 2010 - 3:45pm

On May 12, at the Third Annual Veterinary Forensics Conference in Orlando, FL, the ASPCA unveiled our newest mobile Animal Crime Scene Investigation (CSI) response vehicle, a 2010 Subaru Outback generously donated by Subaru of America, Inc. The Outback is customized specifically for our Veterinary Forensics team, and will help support and expand the work we are able to do with our Mobile Animal CSI Unit, a state-of-the-art laboratory on wheels.

The new CSI response vehicle will be used for field work to transport animal victims, store evidence from crime scene investigations and provide access to areas that are typically off-limits due to challenging terrain. It is outfitted with many unique features, including a slide-out cargo floor, evidence refrigerator, laptop computer station and exterior power outlets. The vehicle will be based in Gainesville, FL, with Dr. Melinda Merck, the ASPCA Senior Director of Veterinary Forensics.

CSI Vehicle

Dr. Merck is one of nation’s premiere forensic veterinarians and often provides expert testimony in animal cruelty trials around the country. In 2007, she was instrumental in assisting with the recovery and analysis of forensics from Michael Vick’s Bad Newz Kennels—work that helped to produce evidence that led to a guilty plea. With the addition of the ASPCA’s custom CSI vehicle, Dr. Merck can continue to do her essential work and ensure that perpetrators of animal cruelty receive proper punishment.

Action Tip: Want to help crack down on cruelty in your community? Get to know your local animal control officer! Search our database of nearly 3,000 community SPCAs, humane societies and animal control organizations to find the person responsible for enforcing animal cruelty laws in your area.

Tags: 
Forensic Investigations