Any doubt HSUS is serious about eradicating dogfighting? If so, read this!

HSUS is working with Norred & Associates to stomp out dogfighting. Check out this article about Norred.

http://southernstudies.org/facingsouth/labels/private%20security.asp

Friday dogblogging: Private security firm helps bust alleged dogfighter in Georgia
There's been considerable attention paid to the role played by private security firms in the U.S. wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. As it turns out, one such firm is also helping with the stateside war against dogfighting.Earlier this month, the Appalachian Circuit District Attorney's office raided Mountain Swamp Kennels in rural Blue Ridge, Ga., near the border with North Carolina. Owner Albert Glenn White was arrested and charged with more than 20 counts of felony dogfighting. Authorities say they found three fighting pits on the property and dogfighting paraphernalia and seized 22 dogs, some of whom reportedly have scars consistent with fighting.Information regarding White's kennels was originally provided to the Humane Society of the United States via its dogfighting tip line, 877-TIP-HSUS. The tip line was set up in the wake of the dogfighting case involving former Atlanta Falcon's football player Michael Vick by private security firm Norred & Associates, which is headquartered in Atlanta with offices in Miami; Memphis, Tenn.; Hilton Head, S.C.; and Birmingham, Ala.Founded in 1981, Norred & Associates provides security for corporations including Georgia Pacific, The Home Depot and TXU Energy. The company also dispatched special operations agents to Louisiana in the wake of Hurricane Katrina to protect its clients' properties against looting, and it provides security for retired Lt. Col. Oliver North's book tours.Said Dr. Melinda Merck, a forensic veterinarian with the American Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals who took part in the raid:

"We are sending a clear message to dogfighters that we will continue to use any and all resources we have to uncover their illegal operations and bring justice for these animals."The Mountain Swamp Kennel raid was the second such bust in Georgia since May, when Gov. Sonny Purdue signed legislation strengthening the state's anti-dogfighting law. It's now a felony there to own, possess, transport, or sell a dog for the purpose of fighting, and those involved in illegal dogfighting face one to five years in prison, a minimum fine of $5,000, or both.

$5,000 for information leading to the arrest of dogfighters

It's all here at www.humanesociety.org/rewards

I hope this leads to a lot of dogfighters getting arrested. HSUS is putting their money where their mouth is.

HSUS and Norred & Associates knock off 3 dogfighters in Georgia

Wow! These guys keep on hitting the dogfighters in Georgia. This is awesome! And what's even more cool that Norred & Associates is involved. They are a kick butt security firm, kind of like a domestic Blackwater.

Here is the article from the Atlanta Journal Constitution.

http://www.ajc.com/metro/content/metro/cherokee/stories/2008/10/28/dogfighting_north_georgia.html

Canton, Ellijay men charged with dogfighting

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Two North Georgia men were arrested and charged with dogfighting Tuesday, continuing an aggressive statewide crackdown that investigators say is only just beginning.

In Canton, Cherokee County deputies detained Randall Thaxton, 44, after a morning raid turned up “a significant pit bull breeding operation.” Roughly 30 miles north, Gilmer County officials arrested Ray Beavers, of Ellijay, for his reported involvement in the same dogfighting ring.
Two other Gilmer men may also face charges, said John Goodwin, manager of animal fighting issues with the Humane Society of the United States.

“We believe they’ve been involved for years,” he said.

The three raids Tuesday turned up 30 pit bulls, all of whom had scars consistent with dogfighting, said Greg Norred, who does the bulk of the investigative work on dogfighting — gratis — for the Humane Society.

Law enforcement officials have conducted eight raids on dogfighting operations since May. That’s when Georgia enacted a new law that made it a felony to own, possess, train, transport or sell any canine for the intention of dogfighting.

Previously the state had one of the nation’s weakest laws against dogfighting, making it difficult to prosecute or even charge reputed offenders.

“Dog fighters in Georgia are on high alert now,” Goodwin said.

Information leading to the latest arrests was provided to the Humane Society through its tip line, established in the wake of the Michael Vick dogfighting case. Tipsters receive $5,000 upon conviction. The phone number is 877 TIP-HSUS.