AR-News: Louisiana Hog Dog update, Correct dates

[ISPEAKInc at aol.com]

International Society for the Protection of Exotic Animal Kind and Livestock, 
Inc.
998-C Old Country Road, # 142,   Plainview, NY 11803  516 383-5620   516 
935-4607
ispeakinc at aol.com


Please cross post -

I-SPEAK has been investigating why the Sheriff in Clinton, Louisiana, was not 
enforcing cruelty laws at Mr. Harris's Hog Dog fighting events.  Beside Hogs 
being bitten by         pitbulls, three hog bodies had been ordered dug up by 
the health department, 
and other bodies were seen. There was also concern that 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 April 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 May 12, 2004, and he said he would have it investigated.

I-SPEAK called May 13, 2004, 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 May 14, 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.  The bill passed the Senate and 
the governor said she will sign the bill
LA H.B. 1244 Hog-Dog Fighting Events (Hog Baiting)
                                            ___________________

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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