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From the ASPCA http://www.aspca.org/fight-animal-cruelty/dog-fighting/ten-ways-to-help-end-dog-fighting.aspx
Ten Ways to Help End
Dog Fighting
Despite being
wonderful companion animals, Pit Bulls often attract the worst kind of dog
owners—those who are only interested in them for fighting or protection. It's a
shame what has happened to this loyal and affectionate breed. Despite its
illegality, people are still training and breeding Pit Bulls to participate in
dog fights across the country. Here are ten ways you can help end this cruel
“sport”:
- Support stronger
laws. Visit the ASPCA Advocacy Center to keep up to date on dog fighting
legislation in your state. http://www.aspca.org/fight-animal-cruelty/advocacy-center/
- Alert the media!
Your local newspaper and television station are always looking for stories,
especially investigative ones—be sure to contact them about the cruelty and
dangers of dog fighting.
- Call or write your
local law enforcement department and let them know that investigating dog
fighting cruelty should be a priority. Dog fighting is a CRIME—and the police
MUST investigate these cases.
- Keep your eyes and
ears open. If you suspect dog fighting in your own neighborhood, contact the
police or your local animal control officer. Provide as much information as you
can, such as the date and time you noticed something wrong, the address or
location, and what led you to believe there was dog fighting taking place.
- Protect your
pets. Dog fighters sometimes steal companion animals to use as bait dogs.
Don’t let your animals outside without supervision, and make sure they have
proper identification tags and are microchipped.
- Adopt a Pit Bull
and let your perfect pooch be an ambassador for the breed! Be sure to read our
Pit Bull adoption tips before you start your search. http://www.aspca.org/fight-animal-cruelty/dog-fighting/ten-tips-for-adopting-a-pit-bull.aspx
- Set a good example
for others. If you are already the proud parent of a Pit Bull, be sure to
always show them the love and good care that they deserve. And always let others
know what great companions they make!
- Volunteer! If
your local shelter is facing a Pit Bull dilemma, volunteer to help keep
adoptable Pit Bulls and Pit mixes mentally and physically fit by exercising them
or taking them to obedience classes. You can also lead a chew-toy drive at work
to collect rawhides or hard rubber playthings to keep them busy, or help create
a fundraiser to support a free sterilization program for Pit Bulls in your local
shelter.
- Educate others in your community about the horrors of dog fighting and start a neighborhood watch program.
Teach your children. Do your kids have questions about dog
fighting? Visit our children's website, ASPCAKids, for information about dog
fighting that's written especially for kids. http://www.aspca.org/aspcakids/real-issues/dog-fighting-and-cockfighting.aspx
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The following info is from the HSUS:
http://www.humanesociety.org/issues/dogfighting/ http://www.humanesociety.org/issues/dogfighting/tips/dogfighting_action.html http://www.humanesociety.org/issues/dogfighting/facts/dogfighting_fact_sheet.html
Dogfighting Fact Sheet:
What
is dogfighting?
Dogfighting is a sadistic "contest" in which two dogs—specifically bred, conditioned, and trained to fight—are placed in a pit (generally a small arena enclosed by plywood walls) to fight each other for the spectators' entertainment and gambling. Fights average nearly an hour in length and often last more than two hours. Dogfights end when one of the dogs will not or cannot continue. In addition to these dogfights, there are reports of an increase in unorganized street fights in urban areas.
How does it cause animal suffering?
The injuries inflicted and sustained by dogs participating in dogfights are frequently severe, even fatal. The American pit bull terriers used in the majority of these fights have been specifically bred and trained for fighting and are unrelenting in their attempts to overcome their opponents. With their extremely powerful jaws, they are able to inflict severe bruising, deep puncture wounds and broken bones.Dogs used in these events often die of blood loss, shock, dehydration, exhaustion, or infection hours or even days after the fight. Other animals are often sacrificed as well. Some owners train their dogs for fights using smaller animals such as cats, rabbits or small dogs. These "bait" animals are often stolen pets or animals obtained through "free to good home" advertisements.
Are there other concerns?
Yes. Numerous law enforcement raids have unearthed many disturbing facets of this illegal "sport." Young children are sometimes present at the events, which can promote insensitivity to animal suffering, enthusiasm for violence and a lack of respect for the law. Illegal gambling is the norm at dogfights. Dog owners and spectators wager thousands of dollars on their favorites. Firearms and other weapons have been found at dogfights because of the large amounts of cash present. And dogfighting has been connected to other kinds of violence—even homicide, according to newspaper reports. In addition, illegal drugs are often sold and used at dogfights.
What other effects does the presence of dogfighting have on people and animals in a community?
Dogs used for fighting have been bred for many generations to be dangerously aggressive toward other animals. The presence of these dogs in a community increases the risk of attacks not only on other animals but also on people, because unsocialized and/or chained dogs are more likely to bite.
Why should dogfighting be a felony offense?
There are several compelling reasons. Because dogfighting yields such large profits for participants, the minor penalties associated with misdemeanor convictions are not a sufficient deterrent. Dogfighters merely absorb these fines as part of the cost of doing business. The cruelty inherent in dogfighting should be punished by more than a slap on the hand. Dogfighting is not a spur-of-the-moment act; it is a premeditated and cruel practice.Those involved in dogfighting go to extensive lengths to avoid detection by law enforcement, so investigations can be difficult, dangerous, and expensive. Law enforcement officials are more inclined to investigate dogfighting if it is a felony. As more states make dogfighting a felony offense, those remaining states with low penalties will become magnets for dogfighters.
Do some states already have felony laws?
Yes. Dogfighting is illegal and a felony offense in all 50 states.
Should being a spectator also be a felony?
Yes. Spectators provide much of the profit associated with dogfighting. The money generated by admission fees and gambling helps keep this "sport" alive. Because dogfights are illegal and therefore not widely publicized, spectators do not merely happen upon a fight; they seek it out. They are willing participants who support a criminal activity through their paid admission and attendance.
What can I do to help stop dogfighting?
If you live in one of the states where being a spectator at a dogfight is still only a misdemeanor, please write to your state legislators and urge them to make it a felony. To find out how your state treats dogfighting, visit our page on State Dogfighting Laws.
We encourage you also to write letters to the media to increase public awareness of the dangers of dogfighting and to law enforcement officials or prosecutors and judges to urge them to take the issue seriously. You may want to display our dogfighting poster in your community. For free posters, please include your name and address in an email along with the number of posters you would like to receive and/or order a free reward action pack! Includes posters, postcards, brochures, and stickers with information about our reward. Put them up around your neighborhood and help stop dogfighting.
If you suspect that dogfighting is going on in your own neighborhood, alert your local law enforcement agency and urge agency officials to contact The HSUS for practical tools, advice and assistance.
Dogfighting is a sadistic "contest" in which two dogs—specifically bred, conditioned, and trained to fight—are placed in a pit (generally a small arena enclosed by plywood walls) to fight each other for the spectators' entertainment and gambling. Fights average nearly an hour in length and often last more than two hours. Dogfights end when one of the dogs will not or cannot continue. In addition to these dogfights, there are reports of an increase in unorganized street fights in urban areas.
How does it cause animal suffering?
The injuries inflicted and sustained by dogs participating in dogfights are frequently severe, even fatal. The American pit bull terriers used in the majority of these fights have been specifically bred and trained for fighting and are unrelenting in their attempts to overcome their opponents. With their extremely powerful jaws, they are able to inflict severe bruising, deep puncture wounds and broken bones.Dogs used in these events often die of blood loss, shock, dehydration, exhaustion, or infection hours or even days after the fight. Other animals are often sacrificed as well. Some owners train their dogs for fights using smaller animals such as cats, rabbits or small dogs. These "bait" animals are often stolen pets or animals obtained through "free to good home" advertisements.
Are there other concerns?
Yes. Numerous law enforcement raids have unearthed many disturbing facets of this illegal "sport." Young children are sometimes present at the events, which can promote insensitivity to animal suffering, enthusiasm for violence and a lack of respect for the law. Illegal gambling is the norm at dogfights. Dog owners and spectators wager thousands of dollars on their favorites. Firearms and other weapons have been found at dogfights because of the large amounts of cash present. And dogfighting has been connected to other kinds of violence—even homicide, according to newspaper reports. In addition, illegal drugs are often sold and used at dogfights.
What other effects does the presence of dogfighting have on people and animals in a community?
Dogs used for fighting have been bred for many generations to be dangerously aggressive toward other animals. The presence of these dogs in a community increases the risk of attacks not only on other animals but also on people, because unsocialized and/or chained dogs are more likely to bite.
Why should dogfighting be a felony offense?
There are several compelling reasons. Because dogfighting yields such large profits for participants, the minor penalties associated with misdemeanor convictions are not a sufficient deterrent. Dogfighters merely absorb these fines as part of the cost of doing business. The cruelty inherent in dogfighting should be punished by more than a slap on the hand. Dogfighting is not a spur-of-the-moment act; it is a premeditated and cruel practice.Those involved in dogfighting go to extensive lengths to avoid detection by law enforcement, so investigations can be difficult, dangerous, and expensive. Law enforcement officials are more inclined to investigate dogfighting if it is a felony. As more states make dogfighting a felony offense, those remaining states with low penalties will become magnets for dogfighters.
Do some states already have felony laws?
Yes. Dogfighting is illegal and a felony offense in all 50 states.
Should being a spectator also be a felony?
Yes. Spectators provide much of the profit associated with dogfighting. The money generated by admission fees and gambling helps keep this "sport" alive. Because dogfights are illegal and therefore not widely publicized, spectators do not merely happen upon a fight; they seek it out. They are willing participants who support a criminal activity through their paid admission and attendance.
What can I do to help stop dogfighting?
If you live in one of the states where being a spectator at a dogfight is still only a misdemeanor, please write to your state legislators and urge them to make it a felony. To find out how your state treats dogfighting, visit our page on State Dogfighting Laws.
We encourage you also to write letters to the media to increase public awareness of the dangers of dogfighting and to law enforcement officials or prosecutors and judges to urge them to take the issue seriously. You may want to display our dogfighting poster in your community. For free posters, please include your name and address in an email along with the number of posters you would like to receive and/or order a free reward action pack! Includes posters, postcards, brochures, and stickers with information about our reward. Put them up around your neighborhood and help stop dogfighting.
If you suspect that dogfighting is going on in your own neighborhood, alert your local law enforcement agency and urge agency officials to contact The HSUS for practical tools, advice and assistance.
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