Turning in a dogfighter -- if the information leads to arrest and conviction -- can now get you a $5,000 reward, The Humane Society of the United States will announce in Baltimore County today.

The rewards -- formerly $2,500 -- have been doubled with the help of a $200,000 donation from the Holland M. Ware Charitable Foundation based in Hogansville, Ga.

"Were making a concerted effort to eliminate dog fighting," said John Goodwin, manager of animal fighting issues for the Humane Society of the United States.

The announcement comes at the anniversary of NFL quarterback Michael Vick's federal indictment for dog fighting in July 2007. Vick, now serving a 23-month sentence in federal prison, admitted to bankrolling Bad Newz Kennels on his property in Surry County, Virginia.

Since Vick's trial, the HSUS reports that arrests for dog fighting have tripled across the nation and that the HSUS has paid out 20 rewards this year alone. Goodwin said that many people are intimidated to come forward but Vick's indictment brought attention to the issue.

All tips are considered confidential.

To see more Sun coverage of dogfighting, click here.