Stopping Urban Dogfighting at Its Source!

The Humane Society of the United States has been working to stamp out dogfighting for decades.

In the last few years, we've stepped up the pace of action like never before. We've helped to write almost every state and federal law that exists on the subject, and we have been involved in hundreds of raids. The headlines are about to grow larger again now that Michael Vick has pledged to be part of the solution and not part of the problem, and to pass on a message to boys and young men in urban communities: Don't do as he did.

Today, I want to recap where we are in our campaign to rid our society of dogfighting once and for all -- and introduce you to our innovative End Dogfighting program targeting street fighting at its source.

The story that's unfolding in the U.S. isn't about one football player admitting he was wrong and now joining the quest to eradicate the practice. It's about hundreds of thousands of dogs who are in harm's way. It's about the people who grow up to view dogfighting as acceptable. It's about the men and women of The HSUS who work full-time to stop the agonies dogs suffer in fighting pits. It's about public officials who have responded to our call to make dogfighting a felony everywhere. Thanks to your actions and support, we've made historic inroads, especially since the Vick case came to light:

- We successfully pushed for laws toughening penalties for dogfighting nationally and in individual states, making dogfighting a felony in all 50 states.

- We established -- and we're now expanding -- community-based programs in the U.S. to give boys and young men the kind of guidance they need to avoid being drawn into this bloody underground. You can find the End Dogfighting team on the streets of Chicago, Atlanta, and -- soon -- Los Angeles. I encourage you to watch our slideshow introducing you to these programs.

- We teamed up with law enforcement from coast to coast to bring organized animal fighters to justice -- tackling more than 200 cases of animal fighting in just the past year. Not a day passes when our experts aren't on a mission to raid fighting rings and rescue the animals from lives of suffering. Our tip line went national and paid out more than 50 rewards of up to $5,000 for every tip that led to an arrest.

One more thing: There is so much that tears at our hearts in this bloody realm of dogfighting. But we must look forward and reach these kids before they step into the quicksand of street fighting. When we see the positive effects of our program, it is magical. A few of these moments are captured in our slideshow. None of us wanted to imagine that fate that awaited so many of these dogs. But then our experts and community organizers stepped in and ushered in a dramatically different outcome.

If you care about ending dogfighting, this is the program to get us there.

Thanks for spreading the word about it!

Source: The Humane Society of the United States

PLEASE learn more about the HSUS's reward program clickling here, and don't forget to spread the word about it! (Pledge started by Andrea McKeeby).

This is an ongoing pledge that should be fulfilled as often as possible.

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Comments, Suggestions and Stories

SALLY DIX Gloucestershire, United Kingdom @ 11:11PM PT Nov 11

Pledge signed and forwarded to all my friends & contacts on Change.org & other Animal Welfare Sites.

I have been involved with a campaign to save "BRUCE THE PITBULL TYPE DOG" on Care 2. Bruce was snatched away from his family in Northern Ireland & was to be euthanised. Northern Ireland has not adopted the 1997 Amendment Act as in England, Scotland and Wales, despite being proposed several times. This means any dog deemed to be “pit bull type” cannot be entered onto the Index of Exempted Dogs.

If the proposal had been accepted in Northern Ireland, as with the rest of the UK, Bruce would have been home long before now, alive and well registered on the Index of Exempted Dogs. Northern Ireland is however currently considering legislative change but this is not likely to be achieved in time to save Bruce.

If Bruce lived in Southern Ireland where no breeds are nationally banned he would never have been seized at all.

Bruce has been offered a place of safety with a reputable rescue in Southern Ireland where he could legally live out the rest of his life.

I wrote to all the Northern Ireland Government Ministers regarding BRUCE urging them to adopt legislation that is current in the rest of the UK & Southern Ireland, where no breeds are nationally banned or euthanised.

I know this story is not actually about 'Dog Fighting', but there is an obvious strong link. It is because BRUCE is a 'PIT BULL TYPE DOG', that he has endured hell. Even if he WAS a PIT BULL dog, this should NOT have happened. BRUCE has never shown any aggression towards a human being or another dog. He is a gentle, beautiful dog, yet he was brutally taken away from his family, because of the reputation that Pit Bull Dogs have been unjustly given through Dog Fighting.

It is purely the ignorance of humans who instill the fighting instinct into these dogs that are to blame. These dogs are not born aggressive, it is instilled in them through years of being tortured, controlled through fear, cruel training programs to build their muscles & then forced to fight to their death. When these dogs are of no use to their ignorant owners, they are often discarded or even inhumanely slaughtered.

I hope the Humane Society keep up the good work. Education & training is key here. We need to reverse the behavior that has been bred into these dogs. This will be achieved when these dogs are treated with respect, careful aversion training if necessary to channel any aggression, but most of all to be shown love, compassion & not 'fear'.

SALLY D.
Zoe Martindale Bradford, West YORKSHIRE UK, AL @ 09:09AM PT Oct 15

It looks like the Humane Society are doing a fantastic job, ensuring young people understand the issues regarding dogfighting! Still more needs to be done and dogfighting must be stopped permenantly. Dogs are not ours for fighting or to be used for Human entertainment! Keep up the good work!
Martele Banks Columbia, SC @ 02:43PM PT Aug 18
Pledge fulfilled Aug 18, 2009!

Just sent these links to some friends, gonna have a discussion about it later on in the week. I'm glad this has finally been put back on a national platform, it gives us a chance to inform the public and make change.
Manuela Rodrigues Tampa, FL @ 09:56AM PT Aug 15
Pledge fulfilled Aug 14, 2009!

Special thanks to Cher Clarke who is spreading the word about this pledge on CARE2:

http://www.care2.com/news/member/100041282/1221848
Manuela Rodrigues Tampa, FL @ 09:47AM PT Aug 15
Pledge fulfilled Aug 14, 2009!

VERY well said Kathleen!

Thanks for the comment!
Kathleen Carr @ 08:50AM PT Aug 15

Having spend quality time with the breed, they are the most loving animals! Very family oriented, smart, protective,and loving. If not exploited by man!!! Because of the explotation they have a reputation of being a dangerous breed, hence they are the first to be put down in shelters! This was created by man and man must protect them!
Manuela Rodrigues Tampa, FL @ 06:45AM PT Aug 15
Pledge fulfilled Aug 14, 2009!

Thank you Andrea. It is a beautiful poem, and very true!

I think I covered everything about Dog Fighting above, but I just wanted to provide one more link that explains:

- What is Dogfighting;

- How does it cause the animal to suffer;

- Other concerns;

- The other effects that the presence of dog fighting have on people AND animals in a community;

And much more...

Here is the link to the website:

http://www.hsus.org/hsus_field/animal_fighting_the_final_round/dogfighting_fact_sheet/

Please spread the word about this important matter that we all care about and have been fighting to put a STOP on it.

No matter the dog breed, dog fighting is a cruelty.
Ani L. Schwartz Arroyo Seco, NM @ 01:43AM PT Aug 15

That is beautiful, Andrea!
A M @ 01:35AM PT Aug 15
Pledge fulfilled Aug 14, 2009!

LOVE OF A DOG

THE LOVE OF A DOG IS NOT STRETCHED BEYOND ITS
LIMITS, THEIR RELENTLESS WARMTH AND AFFECTION
WILL ALWAYS HEAL MY STRESS AND DISCOMFORT.

THE LOVE OF A DOG IS BLIND, THEY WILL LOVE
ME WHETHER I AM STRONG OR WEAK, HAPPY OR MEEK
AND THEIR MANNER IS ALWAYS PLEASANT AND THEIR EYES
WILL ALWAYS BE FOREVER KIND.

Their gentle, soft eyes give you a look of innocence,
Their tails wag as you rub their tummy,
They help the blind at times,
They're a part of your family,
They protect,
They help,
They love,
When you're sad,
They embrace you in their loving care,
When you start to laugh,
They gently caress your face with their tongue,
They love you.
They sometimes help people survive,
They are triumphant in helping you,
They are man's best friend.

A love uncontested, without compromise,

is what we see when we look into our lovely pets
eyes.

The way they adore us, with love to no end,

is the reason we call them Man's best-friend.

We treat them like children and adorn them with toys

Even if we can't stand the noise.

God gave us dogs so that we may know,

the unconditional love,

that only a pet can show.

I just wanted to share a few wonderful things that people from all over the world have wrote about dogs. It goes without saying that dogs are loyal till the end. Even if they don't want to do what their owner wants of them (fighting) they still obey because that's the unconditional love they have for us. My wish is that some day all will know this and the fighting will stop but until then its up to us to give A VOICE TO THE VOICELESS.

Manuela I hope that you don't mind that I posted this on here and again thank you for bringing all this knowledge to people.
Walt Vasco Portland, OR @ 12:18AM PT Aug 15
Pledge fulfilled Aug 14, 2009!

Oh yah Manuela, This morning I shared this for you on Criminal Justice and Education. Facebook and Twitter!

I see it is going really well. Thanks again ALL!!!!