Dog Fighting - 18 Pit Bulls Seized

Federal officials investigating a fraud case on May 12, 2005 stumbled upon what authorities believe is a dog-fighting operation. Winnebago County Animal Services seized 18 pit bulls from a house. We ask that if Jason Mitsias, David Fisk Rodrigo Campos and Alejandro Campos-Rivera are convicted of animal abuse, that they serve the longest jail term sentence available, pay the max. fines, undergo mandatory psychological testing and counseling and that they never again possess any animals.
Federal officials investigating a fraud case on May 12, 2005 stumbled upon what authorities believe is a dog-fighting operation. Winnebago County Animal Services seized 18 pit bulls from a house. 

Six of the 18 pit bulls taken from the home were stolen from their
cages at the Winnebago County Animal Services shelter. 30-year-old Jason Mitsias of Streamwood
(http://www.pet-abuse.com/cases/1303/) has emerged over the past few days as "a person of interest" in the
Winnebago County investigation because of his ties to the county, the
men arrested in the case and the strikingly similar dog-fighting
operation and shelter break-in in Lake County in 2002.

No one has been charged in the Winnebago County break-in last week or
any alleged illegal dog breeding or fighting activity at Mitsias'
mother's home. Authorities have yet to find the missing dogs. Still,
ties remain between Mitsias and the charges that have been filed.

Illegal animal fighting is a blood-sport in which animals are
specifically bred and trained to fight each other within an enclosed
pit or ring, for the benefit of individuals who place bets on the
animal they believe will win. The fights are extremely brutal, with
animals often fighting to the death.



In addition to the extremely violent nature of the animal cruelty
involved, illegal animal fighting events almost always include other
criminal activity, such as gambling, drugs, prostitution and illegal
firearms. (Large amounts of money exchange hands during these gambling
events, and where there is money, there are guns and other weapons
present.)



Additionally, it is quite common for children to be used during
these events, often as runners for the betting process. This brings up
the obvious issue of exposing children to illegal activities, and it
also contributes to their de-sensitivity to violence as they are
exposed to these brutal and bloody scenes of animals ripping each other
to pieces for money. Quite often, during a dog or cockfighting bust,
these young runners are overlooked during the questioning process -
which is part of what makes them desirable to use from an illegal
animal fighter's standpoint.

We ask that if Jason Mitsias, David Fisk Rodrigo Campos and Alejandro Campos-Rivera are convicted of animal abuse, that they serve the longest jail term sentence available, pay the max. fines, undergo mandatory psychological testing and counseling and that they never again possess any animals.
Sign Petition
Sign Petition
You have JavaScript disabled. Without it, our site might not function properly.

Privacy Policy

By signing, you accept Care2's Terms of Service.
You can unsub at any time here.

Having problems signing this? Let us know.