dogfighting

Frederick Moorefield Jr., a deputy chief information officer for the Office of the Secretary of Defense, allegedly used an encrypted messaging app to discuss dogfighting with people across the U.S.

The state's legal advocates are one sign of the emerging field of animal law. In 2000, nine law schools had courses in animal law; by 2015, that number was 151.

The new effort could help save animals — and, perhaps, people: Research shows that animal abuse is often a precursor to acts of violence against people.