Electronic eavesdropping for animal fighting inquiries

Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed into law a bill sponsored by Assemblyman Charles D. Lavine and Senator Phil Boyle that allows for law enforcement to utilize wiretapping and surveillance video in animal fighting investigations.

The law adds animal fighting to a list of crimes that will allow for law enforcement to seek warrants to conduct electronic eavesdropping.

“Animal fighting has no place in our neighborhoods or within society,” said Lavine. “Those who participate in this activity should be punished to the furthest extent of the law, and by giving law enforcement the option of using sophisticated technology to prosecute offenders will put an end to this barbaric practice once and for all.”

Not only is there a link between violence against animals and violence against people, but the investigation and prosecution of animal fighting has been proven to expose gang networks, narcotics rings, weapons trafficking activity, and other sophisticated and violent criminal enterprises.

As law enforcement has grown more attuned to its detection, fighting rings have been targeted and brought down. Additionally, guns and heroin have been seized, domestic and child abuse has been uncovered and countless dogs are rescued from a lifetime of torture.

“Animal fighting is actually a felony under the Agricultural and Marketing Law of New York,” explained Lavine. “It was not included as a qualifier for wiretaps because no one anticipated at the time the wiretap laws were enacted that animal fighting would become the multi-billion dollar enterprise it is today.”

Glen Cove Deputy Mayor Barbara Peebles said the city has “zero tolerance” for animal fighting or cruelty of any kind. “The shelter is extremely attuned and sensitive; they have a great relationship with the police department, so if it suspects anything the police are contacted,” she added.

“I’m glad they will have another tool with which to eliminate dog fighting,” said Cove Animal Rescue Board Member Betty Geiger.

Lieutenant John Nagle, Glen Cove Public Information Officer, said there has been two cases of animal cruelty in Glen Cove in the last five years, but no cases of animal fighting in his 30-plus years in the city.

“Any type of added police investigatory powers that are bestowed on us by the Albany Lawmakers concerning animal cruelty, specifically animal fighting, is a move in a positive direction,” Nagle said. “Having animals pitted against each other so gamblers can wager on the outcome is abhorrent.”

By Danielle Agoglia

dagoglia@liherald.com

Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed into law a bill sponsored by Assemblyman Charles D. Lavine and Senator Phil Boyle that allows for law enforcement to utilize wiretapping and surveillance video in animal fighting investigations.

The law adds animal fighting to a list of crimes that will allow for law enforcement to seek warrants to conduct electronic eavesdropping.

“Animal fighting has no place in our neighborhoods or within society,” said Lavine. “Those who participate in this activity should be punished to the furthest extent of the law, and by giving law enforcement the option of using sophisticated technology to prosecute offenders will put an end to this barbaric practice once and for all.”

Not only is there a link between violence against animals and violence against people, but the investigation and prosecution of animal fighting has been proven to expose gang networks, narcotics rings, weapons trafficking activity, and other sophisticated and violent criminal enterprises.

As law enforcement has grown more attuned to its detection, fighting rings have been targeted and brought down. Additionally, guns and heroin have been seized, domestic and child abuse has been uncovered and countless dogs are rescued from a lifetime of torture.

“Animal fighting is actually a felony under the Agricultural and Marketing Law of New York,” explained Lavine. “It was not included as a qualifier for wiretaps because no one anticipated at the time the wiretap laws were enacted that animal fighting would become the multi-billion dollar enterprise it is today.”

Glen Cove Deputy Mayor Barbara Peebles said the city has “zero tolerance” for animal fighting or cruelty of any kind. “The shelter is extremely attuned and sensitive; they have a great relationship with the police department, so if it suspects anything the police are contacted,” she added.

“I’m glad they will have another tool with which to eliminate dog fighting,” said Cove Animal Rescue Board Member Betty Geiger.

Lieutenant John Nagle, Glen Cove Public Information Officer, said there has been two cases of animal cruelty in Glen Cove in the last five years, but no cases of animal fighting in his 30-plus years in the city.

“Any type of added police investigatory powers that are bestowed on us by the Albany Lawmakers concerning animal cruelty, specifically animal fighting, is a move in a positive direction,” Nagle said. “Having animals pitted against each other so gamblers can wager on the outcome is abhorrent.”