UPDATED: Canine DNA Database Breaks New Ground In Crackdown on Animal Cruelty

From an ASPCA Press Release: "NEW YORK--The nation's first criminal dog-fighting DNA database has been established by the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), The Humane Society of Missouri (HSMO) and the Louisiana SPCA (LA/SPCA), and will be maintained at the University of California, Davis (UC Davis) Veterinary Genetics Laboratory. Known as the Canine CODIS (Combined DNA Index System), the database is designed to help the criminal justice system investigate and prosecute dog fighting cases and address the growing problem of dog fighting using 21st century technology. "

Read more about Canine CODIS here.

*UPDATE* Please read the following article about the Canine CODIS database on CNN.

Photo Credit: Kim Nguyen

Animal Cruelty- Resources for Prosecutors and Attorneys General

The dog fighting scandal that has surrounded Michael Vick of late has brought the specter of animal cruelty regulation into the forefront of many prosecutors and law enforcement officers in the country.

The Humane Society of the United States has put together a resource for those faced with prosecuting the crime of Animal Cruelty.




On the resource page you can find

• Training Opportunities
• Help with Cruelty Cases
• Publications
• Guides and Manuals for Investigating and Prosecuting Animal Cruelty
• Other Legal Resources
• Recent Victories in Court

The Michigan State University College of Law also has a website dedicated to legals resources and historical information dedicated to animals and animal cruelty.



In Oklahoma, Title 21 Chapter 67 covers Animal Cruelty.