Hog-dog fighting - 7 dogs seized
Warrior, AL (US)Incident Date: Friday, Dec 17, 2004
County: Jefferson
Charges: Misdemeanor
Disposition: Alleged
Alleged:
» Richard Lee Landers, Jr.
» Shina Giles Landers
Two people were arrested and seven dogs seized Friday in Warrior as part of a four-state crackdown of "hog-dog" animal fighting, according to the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office.
Richard Lee Landers Jr. and his wife, Shina Giles Landers, were charged with one count each of misdemeanor cruelty to animals. Charges are also being considered in South Carolina for the couple, said sheriff's office spokesman Randy Christian. He said it is possible their dogs were being used in fights there.
Officials also found that the couple was operating a Web site that promotes hog-dog fighting.
In those events, a dog - usually a pit or American bulldog - and a hog or wild boar with its tusks removed are put in a pen, and they fight until the dog forces the hog to the ground. Both animals typically suffer major injuries in the fight, according to the South Carolina attorney general's office.
Federal and state authorities are working with the Humane Society of the United States to combat hog-dog fighting in Alabama, Arizona, Georgia and South Carolina.
"It is shocking that this kind of activity still happens in parts of our country," Jefferson County Sheriff Mike Hale said in a statement.
In Alabama, it is illegal to hold fights between two dogs, but there is no law preventing fights between a dog and another species, Christian said.
Hog-dog fights are regularly organized in at least 10 states and their presence is growing, the sheriff's office said. References« AL State Animal Cruelty Map
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