LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WAVE) – A local dog fighting arrest has an organization calling for a crack down on Kentucky’s animal fighting laws.
LMPD arrested 47-year-old Kareem Garner last week and said he has a prolific stature in the dog fighting world.
And while he is facing a felony, groups like Animal Wellness Action hope to make punishments for people accused of fighting dogs more severe.
An anonymous tip led LMPD’s Animal Cruelty Enforcement to the heart of the Taylor Berry Neighborhood on Lillian Avenue where they were able to arrest well known regional dog-fighter Kareem Garner.
Police were able to seize four dogs under his care who were in terrible condition.
A sad reality that advocates say happens more often than we think.
”Well it’s estimated that about 40,000 people in the United States are actively engaged in dog fighting. Back in 2009 the largest bust garnered 400 dogs, saved them from over 20 fighting locations,” Animal Wellness Action’s Director of Communication Joseph Grove. “It’s organized crime, across state boundaries and many people are involved.”
The dogs found at Garner’s home were living in kennels covered in feces and investigators also found several supplements and equipment used in dog fighting like scales and weighted collars.
Grove says the cruelty goes beyond the fighting.
”These animals have no say. They are utterly defenseless and the thing that people need to realize, too, is that dog fighting isn’t the only thing that goes on at these matches,” Grove shared. “Illicit drugs and we know for example at large fights, cock fighting in particular, prostitution comes in and even money laundering.”
Which is why Grove is fighting so hard to get the Fighting Inhumane Gambling and High-Risk Trafficking, or the FIGHT Act passed in Kentucky and federally.
”The advantage of the FIGHT act is that it will make people think twice before they start fighting,” Grove said. “If you could lose your home or your car because you’re convicted of dog fighting maybe you won’t do it. It’s important to make those anonymous tips.”
So far the bill has yet to receive a cosponsor or even a hearing in Frankfort but Grove is hopeful these types of arrests may change that.
And for those looking to report animal fighting or cruelty without speaking to police, Animal Wellness Action also has a benefit program to entice people to speak up.
In a press release, Animal Wellness Action says “Their program offers cash compensation not only for information that leads to arrests and convictions, but also for tips on the location of planned or occurring cockfights in the state. The organization will provide $2,500 to any individual who provides tips to us or law enforcement that results in arrests in Kentucky for illegal cockfighting under state or federal law.”
They do say that the value does vary, however, based on credibility and timeliness.
