SWFL bands together to stop dog fighting

LEE COUNTY, Fla.- Authorities want your help to put an end to dog fighting in our community.

For weeks, WINK News has been following updates to Sunset as she recovers.

Investigators say she was used as a bait dog to show dogs how to fight. Many of you have rallied around her, showing your support.

Thursday afternoon the site, named “Stop Illegal Dog Fighting” was established. The site will extend rewards for information on any type of dog fighting or animal abuse. Organizers of the account are hoping to use it as a means for animal lovers throughout Southwest Florida, and beyond, to do whatever they can to help encourage people who have information about these types of crimes to come forward.

The goal for the account is $50,000, which would be a pool of money to offer rewards of up to $5,000 for information leading to the arrest of individuals participating in the dog fighting trade. This reward money would be in addition to the up to $1,000 offered by Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers.

“The heart wrenching attack on Sunset has struck a chord with animal lovers throughout our community,” said Trish Routte, Crime Stoppers Coordinator.  “So many people are outraged that sick individuals would use animals as bait and dog fighting and as a means of entertainment and profit making.  The Go Fund Me account will enable anyone who wants to help to do what they can, be it $5 or $500, either anonymously or publicly.”

Anyone with information on the attack of Sunset, or any type of dog fighting or abuse, is asked to call the Crime Stoppers hotline at 1-800-780-TIPS (8477).  All callers will remain anonymous and will be eligible for a cash reward of up to $1,000 from Crime Stoppers, and eventually up to $5,000 from the Go Fund Me account.  Tips may also be made online at www.swflcrimestoppers.org or by texting a tip to CRIMES (274637) Keyword: REWARD.

Click here to donate to the “Stop Illegal Dog Fighting” page.