Dear Dog Lovers,
After seeing videos about professional dogfights following the arrest of Michael Vick, my heart has been very grieved knowing that this cruel blood sport is growing in popularity throughout the world.
As I viewed photographs of wounded dogs on the internet, I literally sobbed wondering, “Is there anything I can do to help??”, then the power of the internet came to me, which lead me to creating this Blog.
Through this site, it is my hope to educate animal lovers throughout the world about dogfighting and share how we can help put a STOP to these inhumane crimes.
Before I continue, please read this clip from an article in Newsweek:
July 18, 2007 – Minnie, a brown pit bull-boxer mix with white feet, was tied to a tree when she was a puppy and repeatedly attacked by other dogs as part of a dogfight-training exercise in Louisville, Ky. She was rescued after her abusers fled and left her for dead, her torn flesh riddled with infections. Today, a year and a half later, Minnie has a huge saddle-shaped scar under the fur on her back, and she’s terrified of tall men and large dogs. Her adoptive parents, Megan and Greg Crabb, spent weeks nursing her back to health. “I cried every time I had to clean her,” Megan recounted to Newsweek. “She was covered in deep bite marks.”
That’s one story of a rescued dog, but most fighting dogs aren’t so lucky. Those that don’t die of injuries suffered in the ring breed more fighting dogs, “and their puppies enter an ugly world where survival of the fittest is not just a cliché.” (Newsweek).
SO WHAT IS A PROFESSIONAL DOGFIGHT?
Dogfighting is a sadistic “contest” in which two dogs—specifically bred 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 some cases, when a dog loses a fight, some owners become so “angry”, that they immediately kill their dog by strangulation, setting them on fire, or with a gun.
The injuries inflicted and sustained by dogs participating in fights are frequently severe, even fatal. Dogs used in these events often die of blood loss, shock, dehydration, exhaustion, or infection hours or even days after the fight.
To view photos of injured dogs, I have added a link to the right of this screen titled “Photos of wounded dogs”, but please beware that some of the photographs are very graphic and viewer discretion is advised.
I viewed them so I would know what truly goes on in dogfights, but for respect to my readers, I will never post graphic photos on this site. Photos can only be viewed by finding the link mentioned above.
But wounds inflicted during fights are only part of the cruelty that occurs in dogfighting. Puppies that are being raised to fight are often chained to trees and attacked by larger dogs so they will become aggressive; dogs are beaten, starved, have bumblebees placed in their food to sting their gums, and several other “inhumane” acts. Small dogs and animals found through “free to good home” ads and stolen from yards, are also being used as bait to train dogs how to attack.
And if you think only pit bulls are being used in fights, think again. I’ve seen photos involving sheperds, labradors and mutts as well.
Professional dog-fighting is a vicious blood sport – and needs to be stopped!!!
So how can we help??
By telling other animal lovers about this site so we can all keep an eye on activities in our neighborhoods, where possible dog-fights could be taking place. The more people we have reporting activity in various areas, the more dog-fight operations that will be shut down.
And with each operation that is shut down, more dogs will be saved.
As stated in an article posted by scnow.com, Attorney General Henry McMaster of South Carolina and Dr. Bob Carlson of the Human Society agree the general public can be a huge help in stopping this crime. “When you see something, you need to say something,” McMaster said.
So here’s some things to look out for:
1. Neighbors that have dogs or puppies tied to a tree (as in Minnie’s case). If you see suspicious activity, contact your local police.
2. Neighbors that own dogs and have unusual activity taking place at their home (various people coming over in the evenings, pieces of plywood lying around in the yard (which is often used as walls of a fight ring).
3. Heavy chains, treadmills, pits or rings that could be used for fighting.
4. Suspicious barking or noises coming from a wooded area.
5. Unusual activity near a home, alley, warehouse, abandoned home or building.
If you see suspicious activity in any of these areas, please contact your local police.
One person can’t stop arranged dogfights, but together - we CAN make a difference.
Aren’t these animals worth it???
For more information about dog fighting, please see the Dogfighting Fact Sheet by the Humane Society and the Newsweek article under “Blogroll”.
And please check back for updates to encourage us in this effort.
Sincerely,
Missy D, Help Save Dogs
Good for you for wanting to continue to raise awareness. Those pictures make me sick!
I want to tell everyone what “I” have been doing to help.. I have spent all week putting up posters. These posters are offering a $5,000 reward being put up by the Humane Society in Washington D.C.
I have put these posters in the local dive bars, on telephone polls, and have asked the local grocery store, (privately owned) if I could post one of these in his FRONT WINDOW. He agreed.
The Humane Society has made new posters with CASH REWARD at the top of each poster.
I believe they will send posters to those who ask for free. Not sure how many. They also have the OLD POSTERS, which if you add a piece of paper at the top, you can say, now there is a $5,000 REWARD. Doubled from the last posters. It’s all I can do for right now. I have my ears opened to listen for dog fighting in my area, but what else can WE do excpet listen, watch and stay alert? Posters are the best idea yet… it’s getting the word out… if there is incentive, maybe, JUST maybe someone will rat out someone else.. Let’s hope.
hsus.org
Call about Posters.
I received about 15 posters from the Humane Society in Washington.
I just put them in my car, threw in a roll of tape and a heavy duty stapler, and did my ‘daily running around’. It doesn’t have to be a big deal to do this.
Just throw everything in your car, and as you are driving by thinking, “Where would these ‘thugs’ hang out”… put up a poster…! or anyplace where someone may know someone and be alerted to the fact that they are now offering more money. I live in the country, so it may be a little easier for me. .The local bar, etc.. But wherever you live, it has to help.
You park your car to go have coffee with a friend. Put up a poster on the Pole in the parking garage.
Walk up the street to meet your friend, and put another poster there. We can’t be afraid.. or we’ll never help these dogs who are beaten to death everyday.