AR-News: UP DATE ON HOG DOG FIGHTING

[ISPEAKInc at aol.com]

Please cross post -

International Society for the Protection of Exotic Animal Kind and Livestock, 
Inc.
998-C Old Country Road, # 142,   Plainview, NY 11803  516 935-4607
ispeakinc at aol.com

In July 2004, I-SPEAK, who had been investigating why the Sheriff in Clinton 
was not enforcing cruelty laws at Mr. Harris Hog Dog fighting events.  Beside 
Hogs being bit by pitbulls, three hog bodies had been ordered dug up by the 
health department, and other bodies were seen. Also, concern had developed that 
off duty sheriffs and the prison work release program was being used to supply 
workers at the fighting arena.  The State Police opened an investigation 
after I-SPEAK notified the State governor of their concerns.

In August 2004, I-SPEAK discovered that the hogs had no shelter or shade, no 
food, no water, poor sanitary conditions, and a dead hog body was present, 
reportedly a hog that died from fight wounds.  I-SPEAK notified the State 
veterinarian, Dr. Maxwell A. Lea, Jr, who sent one of his investigators to Mr. 
Harris's hog pen.  They found, and wrote up, the same state impounded animal cruelty 
violations that I-SPEAK had reported, including the body.  Dr. Lea sent a 
letter to Mr. Harris listing their findings and telling him to make corrections. 

Mr. Harris removed the hogs over that weekend, and relocated them in a pen 
next to his house.  I-SPEAK shortly after discovered they had no shelter and 
another dead hog body with fight wounds was in the new pen with the other hogs.  
They notified Dr. Lea about this on August 12, 2004, and he said he would have 
it investigated.

I-SPEAK called the next day, but Dr. Lea's secretary said he would not speak 
to them.  
I-SPEAK contacted the State Police who called Dr. Lea  to have an 
investigator come with them to inspect Harris's property.  Dr. Lea refused, even though 
another law enforcement agency had contacted him to say their investigator was 
at the Harris property and saw the dead hog.  

State Police investigators visited Mr. Harris on August 13, 2004.  They found 
no shelter building for the hogs, and the dead hog body was present.  The 
State Police told Mr. Harris he would be breaking state cruelty laws if he fought 
again, and Mr. Harris told them he would stop the fight events until he sees 
what happens to the pending hog dog fight bill, and he would build a shelter.  
The State police told I-SPEAK he was not arrested as the State vet had 
refused to send anyone, and the police, and the District Attorney, had repeatedly 
requested Dr. Lea's investigators report, which Dr. Lea has refused to show them.

Due to the above, and Mr. Harris stating he would stop the fighting, and will 
supply shelter, the State Police closed their investigation.  Upon being 
notified by I-SPEAK that Mr. Harris  
may have started his fighting events again, the State Police said they need a 
person to have actually seen the current fighting and report it to them, as 
it is private property.  Then they would reopen the investigation.

Of concern to humane workers is the below news story stating that hog dog 
catches, the type of the event Harris goes under, will be exempt from the bill.  
This could allow the Sheriffs department to tell Mr. Harris just to deduct 
points for his hogs as the pitbulls bite into them and hold them till their teeth 
are pried apart, and say they are not breaking state law, due to the point 
deduction section in the bill. 

WWLTV.com | News for New Orleans, Louisiana | Lafourche/Terrebonne ...  - ... 
A catch trial, also protected by the bill, involves an event where a dog is 
set loose on a hog to corner it and bite it, but the skirmish is broken up 
shortly ... 
http://www.wwltv.com/local/lafourche/stories/WWL051204hogdog.1b5e7f2af.html 

I-SPEAK spoke to Rep. Warren Triche, D-Chackbay, who told them that it would 
not protect Mr. Harris, as it is only meant for Uncle Earl's Hog Dog Trials.  
It appears only time will tell if that is so.
                                            ___________________

In the mean time I-SPEAK is requesting all concerned people to contact the 
Louisiana Governor and ask that she investigates the Sheriffs Department for any 
questionable 
activities including if they have been using the prison release program and 
off deputy sheriffs, to work at a facility engaging in criminal activity and 
gambling.

Also ask that she investigates the State Department of Agriculture to see why 
no blood tests or checking for Rabies or other diseases have been performed 
on swine, and the dogs used for fighting, which have been coming from different 
locations, reportedly from 
Alabama and other states, as required by State Agriculture law.  And ask why 
the state vet refuses to assist law enforcement in stopping animal cruelty.

Contact Governor Blanco
Office of the Governor
Attn: Constituent Services
P.O. Box 94004
Baton Rouge, LA. 70804-9004

Telephone Number: (225) 342-0991 or 342-7015
Facsimile: (225) 342-7099

To E-Mail the Governor -         http://www.gov.state.la.us/govemail.asp
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