Meanwhile, the Legislature this year voted to strengthen dogfighting laws on the state level. Lawmakers approved bills that would allow prosecutors to introduce certain paraphernalia associated with training a dog to fight, such as animal treadmills, as evidence to build a case against a suspect. The stiffer state laws are helpful, say SPCA officials, though they say that historically it's difficult for them to prosecute state cases. A change in city ordinances would make the real difference, they believe. That, and a change in residents' attitudes toward dogfighting.
Citizens are often unwilling or afraid to offer information to authorities.
The problem is, officers say, much of Dorson's information, like the public's, is incomplete. Currently, says Destreza, the SPCA usually receives citizen complaints about a dogfight after it's too late for them to stop it. They'll call up and say, 'Well, they've been fighting dogs here. Oh, no, honey. You know, somebody has to get involved.