Dog News

Miami-Dade Doubles ‘Trunking’ Penalty

by Melanie

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A unanimous vote by the Miami-Dade Commission has now doubled the penalties for people caught ‘trunking.’

The previous fine of $1,000 has now been raised to $2,000.

Trunking is a form of dog fighting wherein two dogs are forced into the trunk of a vehicle and made to fight to the death while the driver rides around blasting music for 10 or 15 minutes. If one of the dogs survives, it is then made to fight again.

As it is in all 50 states, dog fighting is a felony in Florida, and anyone caught trunking could be charged with a third-degree felony, as well as the increased fine. The animals’ conditions may lead to additional charges.

 

Commissioner Rebeca Sosa, who proposed the harsher penalty, is horrified at the new trend.

This is a horrendous practice that takes dog fighting to new depths of cruelty, and we need to do whatever we can to put a stop to it by punishing perpetrators to the fullest extent possible,”Sosa said.

The Humane Society of the United States currently offers up to a $5,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of anyone involved in dog fights. The number for the HSUS is 877-TIP-HSUS (877-847-4787), and callers’ identities will be protected.

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In other disturbing news, just as this writer was completing this article, she came across a plea for help for puppies to be used for trunking, reportedly being sold for $5 on Facebook. 100+ Abandoned Dogs of Everglades Florida just posted a photo of a woman callously holding a terrified puppy by the scruff, offering up the litter for sale.

The number for animal control is 305-884-1101, and for police – 305-4-POLICE (Non-Emergencies) . There has been some confusion about the precise location of the photo’s origin, but it has been given as Cutler Landing, 12000 SW 268/269 Terrace, Homestead, FL (one block from Moody st.). One dog-lover has been circling the area trying to find the correct address and the dogs, but has had no luck so far. Perhaps a barrage of telephone calls to animal control and the police would help?