TECH TO BAG ‘BEASTS’
NY OKs wiretaps to end animal fighting
The fowl play and “ruff ” treatment in New York could be coming to an end as the battle against cockfighting and dog fighting goes high-tech.
Law-enforcement agencies will be able to start using surveillance video and wiretaps on Monday to help capture gamblers who engage in the cruel practice of pitting animals against each other for entertainment and profit.
The cruel sport of fighting animals is illegal in New York and authorities have been aggressively attempting to round up those involved. But investigators weren’t able to get surveillance warrants for the crime — until legislators in Albany began crowing about it.
“We must use every tool at our disposal to stamp out these despicable acts once and for all,” Gov. Cuomo said.
The governor plans to sign a bill into law that will add animal fighting to the list of crimes that cops can monitor using video surveillance and eavesdropping.
“This legislation will give law enforcement new powers to crack down on these rings, protect animals from harm and bring these criminals to justice,” Cuomo said.
The governor also called animal fighting a “particularly cruel and heinous crime.”
Assemblyman Charles Lavine (D - Long Island) sponsored the legislation and is determined to curb the practice — which fuels an underground industry that exploits birds, dogs and other animals.
“Animal fighting fuels some of the most violent enterprises which corrupt our neighborhoods,” he said in a memo explaining the bill.
Lavine added that some studies have estimated that the “games” create a billion-dollar underground economy.
“Money is not only made by abhorrent wagers on the outcomes of fights, but also through the illicit breeding, marketing, trading and sale of dogs,” he explained.
“Professional fighters will market the bloodlines of their winners, make money off of forced breeding sessions, whether successful or not, and sell litters as fast as they can be produced.”
Promoters, trainers, breeders, sellers, veterinary workers and dark Web sites fuel the illegal enterprises across the state.
Lawmakers cited a link between violence against animals and violence against people when passing the bill earlier this year.
In addition, Lavine said takedowns of the rings often lead to seized guns and heroin, as well as women, children and pets who are rescued from the abusers.