March 31, 2008

OKLAHOMA CITY -- Oklahomans were presented with a reward this week to be proactive in ways which could save animals’ lives.

The Humane Society of the United States today offered to pay up to $5,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of any cockfighter or dogfighter.

The announcement was made Monday at the state capitol. Cynthia Armstrong, state director of The Humane Society, said cockfighting and dog fighting are bad for the neighborhoods where they occur.

Former NFL player LeShon Johnson was convicted in Oklahoma of illegal dogfighting after he was caught during a 2006 raid in which 141 dogs were seized.

Cockfighting didn’t become illegal in the state until 2002 -- and was narrowly outlawed 56 percent to 44 percent. The blood sport’s long history there had long been challenged, but today the HSUS took yet another step to seal its fate, along with that of dogfighting, as forever banned in Oklahoma.

Attorney General Drew Edmondson said the sports are symptoms of other crime, including drug activity, gambling and illegal weapons.

Dogfighting was outlawed in the state in 1982. Both activities are felonies.

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Matt Van Hoven, Pet Pulse, and The Associated Press contributed to this story.