News Release: The Humane Society of the United States
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEStatement by The Humane Society of the United States on Johnson County Cockfighting Raid(June 25, 2008) — John Goodwin, manager of animal fighting issues for The Humane Society of the United States, issued the following statements in response to today’s cockfighting raid by the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office in Johnson County, Kansas:“The Johnson County Sheriff’s Office should be commended for its investigation and raid of a large cockfighting operation that breeds only cruelty and crime.Kansas is one of 13 states in the nation that does not provide for felony-level penalties for staged cockfights. The states surrounding Kansas punish cockfighting as a felony, and the relatively weak law in Kansas makes it a magnet for illegal cockfighters shopping for the most favorable venue for their cruel hobby.This raid will send a strong message that cruelty will not be tolerated. But this raid is also a reminder that cockfighting occurs in Kansas, and lawmakers in Topeka should move quickly to strengthen penalties against this blood sport.”-30-
