In February 1997, two dog fighters from Texas and Louisiana were forced out of the business thanks to a cooperative effort between the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Texas Department of Public Safety, and the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Western District of Texas.
The behavior of David Flowers and David Hill shows a total disregard for the lives of their animals and for federal law."
David Flowers of Groesbeck, Texas, and David Hill of Denham Springs, La., each entered guilty pleas to the misdemeanor offense of aiding and abetting an animal-fighting venture in violation of the AWA.
For this offense, Flowers' sentence includes:
-- Four years probation;
-- Six months of home detention using an electronic monitor;
-- A $4,000 fine plus the cost of electronic monitoring;
-- A $25 special assessment;
-- One hundred hours of community service recommended to involve animal care; and
-- An order not to engage in any animal-fighting activities.
The sentence for Hill's offense includes:
-- Five years probation;
-- Six months of home detention using an electronic monitor;
-- A $5,000 fine plus the cost of electronic monitoring;
-- A $25 special assessment;
-- Two hundred and fifty hours of community services recommended to involve animal care; and
-- An order not to engage in any animal-fighting activities.
Section 26 of the AWA (7 United States Code 2156) states that:
"It shall be unlawful for any person to knowingly sponsor or exhibit an animal in any animal-fighting venture to which any animal was moved in interstate or foreign commerce. It shall be unlawful for any person to knowingly sell, buy, transport, or deliver to another person or receive from another person for purposes of transportation, in interstate or foreign commerce, any dog or other animal for purposes of having the dog or other animal participate in an animal-fighting venture."
The term "animal-fighting venture" means any event which involves a fight between at least two animals and is conducted for purpose of sport, wagering, or entertainment.
Neighborhood MapFor more information about the Interactive Animal Cruelty Maps, see the map notes.
Back to Top References | USDA - February 19, 1997 |
« Back to Search Results
« TX State Animal Cruelty Map
|
