Cheryl McAuliffe, Georgia director for the Humane Society of the United States, met with more than two dozen members of local rescue groups, government animal control agencies, Sheriff Ronnie Strength and Assistant District Attorney Kristi Goodwin Connell in Augusta on Sept. 9. On Sept. 10 and 11 she met with more than two dozen Burke and Screven County rescue groups, Burke County Sheriff Greg Coursey and Waynesboro Police Chief Karl E. Allen.

HSUS offers free assistance to veterinarians, law enforcement agencies and district attorneys as a resource for prosecuting animal cruelty. HSUS does this by providing training in identifying, gathering evidence for and prosecuting the crimes of animal cruelty and dogfighting. HSUS also works with other groups such as the ASPCA to provide a forensic veterinarian who works the crime scenes. HSUS attorneys are a resource for local law enforcement and prosecutors for making a solid case to present at trial.

The Georgia laws on animal cruelty and dogfighting in wallet-size version were provided for each member of our city and county local law enforcement officers. On a case-by-case basis, funding for the boarding of animals that need to be held until a decision is made on their disposition also may be provided in dogfighting cases in which law enforcement is working with HSUS...

If you witness an act of animal cruelty or dogfighting, contact your local law enforcement agency. Stamping out animal cruelty and dogfighting is important to the peace and safety of our community, but it can't happen if witnesses don't come forward to demand these uncivil acts be stopped. Do your part in making our community the best community for our children and our pets.