Total Credits: 2.25 including 0.0 Ethics CLE, 2.25 CLE
Governor Ducey recently signed a law, effective later this year, that strengthens Arizona's criminal statutes by prohibiting the possession, manufacture, and sale of animal fighting paraphernalia. From specially designed knives that are affixed to the heels of roosters in cockfights, to break sticks used to separate dogs during professional fights, specialized equipment is used extensively in the animal fighting underworld. A wide range of pharmaceuticals are used by animal fighters including adrenalin boosting drugs, blood clotting agents, and anabolic steroids. Specialized conditioning equipment like treadmills and spring poles are designed to get dogs in top physical condition before a fight.
This course will review animal fighting paraphernalia, evidence collection and investigative techniques to ensure that Arizona prosecutors are empowered to most effectively implement the new law.
| Animal Fighting Paraphernalia (12.8 MB) | 70 Pages | Available after Purchase |
Leighann Lassiter has worked for The HSUS for nearly 15 years. As the Tennessee state director, she worked with more than 60 Tennessee law enforcement agencies and prosecutors on dog and cockfighting, large-scale neglect, equine cruelty, and puppy mill cases which facilitated the rescue of over 3,000 animals. Since 2015, she has led public policy for the animal cruelty and fighting campaign where she develops and implements strategic planning activities for legislative campaigns, including coalition building with national stakeholders, policy analysis, media outreach, and law enforcement and volunteer engagement.
Janette Reever is the Senior Specialist Global Anti-Dogfighting expert for Humane Society International. She has been recognized as an animal crimes expert in both state and federal court in the United States, Puerto Rico, and Australia. Before HSI she was the Senior Manager of Animal Crimes for HSUS for nine years. She has 23 years' experience in the field and is extremely knowledgeable about dogfighting, cockfighting, and other forms of animal fighting. Reever provides guidance to law enforcement on best practices for implementation of animal welfare laws and investigation of cases of animal cruelty and fighting. She is considered one of the nation’s leading experts on dogfighting and its international ties.
Gabe Wigtil formerly worked in the HSUS's Wildlife Protection department where he managed campaigns to protect wildlife from trafficking, trapping and lead poisoning. Prior to that, he worked at the Coalition for Sonoran Desert Protection with a primary focus on community outreach. Wigtil has a Master's of Public Policy from Oregon State University, where he published research related to the social factors of wildfire risk in the United States, and a bachelor's degree from the University of Arizona.
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