Dog Town Canine Rescue
Dog Fighting - A Coward's "Sport"
Animal Fighting Hurts Animals, Children, Communities and You
Be Part of the Solution
The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) offers a reward of up to $5,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of anyone involved in dogfighting or cockfighting. Click on the reward poster to learn how you can help end this tragedy in your community!
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW...
In organized dogfighting, two dogs, usually pit bulls, fight until one or both can't continue. The dogs suffer serious injuries or death in the match. Often, the owner of the losing dog will shoot or abandon the injured dog to die slowly from injuries.
Organized dogfighting is illegal everywhere in the United States and is a felony in all 50 states. Despite this, it remains widespread, especially in the form of "street fighting," in part because of the glamorization of the cruel practice in pop culture venues like music videos.
The dogs aren't the only ones who suffer. It's impossible to estimate how many other animals and humans have been harmed by violent people who are desensitized to brutality, in part as a result of watching or participating in dogfighting and other forms of animal cruelty. "Violence begets violence," research proves that people who abuse animals are more likely to abuse people. In addition, fighting enthusiasts often bring young children to the fights, desensitizing them to violence and teaching them that violence is accepted by society.
The dogs themselves, while victims, can also be extremely dangerous. Bred and conditioned to be animal-aggressive, fighting dogs pose a real threat to people and animals in the communities where the animals live. Children and pets are especially at risk for attack due to their small size.
Animals in communities where dogfighting exists are also in danger for another reason—birds, rabbits, cats, small dogs and other animals are often captured or stolen and typically killed during training sessions where they are used as bait for fighting dogs.
And sadly, even when charges are successfully brought against suspected dogfighters, animals continue to pay the price. After being confiscated, fighting dogs are typically euthanized due to their highly aggressive nature and unsuitability for adoption. In some states, the dogs are required to be held at an animal shelter until the court date, forcing shelters to euthanize healthy animals to make room for fighting dogs that will be euthanized at a later date.
How to Spot Signs of Dogfighting in Your Community
*An inordinate number of pit bulls being kept in one location, especially multiple dogs who are chained and seem unsocialized.
*Dogs with scars on their faces, front legs and stifle area (hind end and thighs).
*Dogfighting training equipment such as treadmills used to build dogs' endurance
"break sticks" used to pry apart the jaws of dogs locked in battle tires or "springpoles" (usually a large spring with rope attached to either end) hanging from tree limbs
*Unusual foot traffic coming and going from a location at odd hours.
In a stark new PSA, Russell Simmons, a frequent animal activist, calls on people who are aware of dogfighting operations in their communities to expose and eradicate them.
"There's nothing slick, cool or glamorous about dogfighting," says the hip-hop mogul, 50, as the ad shows dramatized footage of a small pet dog being stolen off the street, taken to a warehouse, muzzled and thrown into a ring with a pit bull.
"If you know about dogfighting in your community and you don't speak up, you're guilty, too," Simmons says.
Simmons, filmed the commercial on behalf of animal-protection groups BeKind and the Humane Society ofthe United States. The issue has been in the spotlight since NFL star Michael Vick pleaded guilty to federal dog-fighting charges earlier this year.
Click on photo to see Russell's new PSA against dog fighting.
