Does Dog Fighting Exist in the Sioux Empire?
If you're a pet owner like me, the last thing you want to hear about is the possibility of dog fighting activities going on in your community.
There is growing concern with many pet owners right here in Sioux Falls that the potential for dog fighting activities may already exist in the Sioux Empire.
A recent post on the social media page of a local pet magazine called "Fetch" has a number of Sioux Falls residents more than a little worried.
A Sioux Falls woman shared a story recently in the magazine about a run-in she had with a suspicious man, driving slowly around the neighborhood in a way that made her believe he was scoping out dogs for fighting.
The Sioux Falls police recently told our news gathering partners at KDLT TV they haven't received any recent reports of dog fighting rings or stolen dogs in the area.
The staff at the Sioux Falls Humane Society says they too have not received any reports of dog fighting, but it’s something they're regularly looking out for.
According to Sioux Falls Humane Society Director Kori Baade, "With social media and things like that, we get a lot of information, people talk to us through social media sites and gives us a heads up if they see anything that's really looking kind of odd."
Humane Society Officer Jordan Utech says, “It’s something to be mindful of for sure. But we haven't seen anything that would make us think it’s happening here, but you always got to be on guard."
Dog fighting is a class six felony in the state of South Dakota. If you're caught engaging in dog fighting activities in the state, you could be punished with up to two years in the state penitentiary.
So what kind of precautions can you take as a pet owner to ensure your pet's safety?
Experts recommend that you not leave your pets outdoors unsupervised and always be aware of the surroundings in your neighborhood. Also remember to report any suspicious activity to authorities immediately.
Source: KDLT TV
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