10 Ways You Can Help End Dog Fighting
Much like factory farming, dog fighting is an abuse that goes on behind closed doors and that people from various backgrounds may participate in it.
As Matthew Bershadker, president and CEO of the ASPCA, writes, "Lawyers, judges, teachers, high school football coaches and veterinary technicians have all been arrested in connection to dog fighting. People involved in dog fighting also span racial and socioeconomic boundaries."
This diverse participation highlights the fact that dog fights are not isolated incidents – they are often planned events which people consciously involve themselves in. What's more, dog fighting is a criminal activity and is marked by cruelty from start to finish.
Dogs, mostly pit bull-type canines, are subjected to drug use, beatings, neglect, and even starvation to be trained into becoming aggressive fighters. Once these dogs enter the fighting pit, they suffer terrible injuries including stripped skin, deep gashes, and broken bones. If a dog does not perform well or loses, trainers have been known to kill their previously "prized" dogs by hanging, drowning, shooting or electrocution.
In addition to animal abuse, other crimes surround the dog fighting world including theft, drug use or possession, illegal weapons, illegal gambling, and even homicide, in some cases, according to the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS).
Dog fighting is a serious crime and, without the help of caring citizens, it cannot be stopped. Learn how you can take action to end cruel dog fights by following one (or all) of the 10 steps below.m
1. Familiarize Yourself with the Issue
There are three types of dog fighting operations: street fighting, hobbyist fighting, and professional fighting.
Street fighting is rather informal and can occur just about anywhere – in a back alley or even on a playground. As the ASPCA reports, these spur-of-the-moment fights are most often "associated with gang activities" and can be "triggered by insults, turf invasion, or the simple taunt, 'My dog can kill yours.'"
Hobbyist fighting is a more organized operation with planned fights occurring a few times a year with the aim of "entertainment" and earning additional income. These fighters may travel across state lines to participate in events.
Professional fighting is the most organized of the three types of dog fighting operations and is the type that football player Michael Vick engaged in. At this level, fighters "have a large number of dogs (as many as 50 or more) and earn money from breeding, selling and fighting dogs at a central location or on the road," according to the ASPCA.
Since there are a wide variety of issues associated with dog fighting, it is best to read literature from different sources to understand its depth and breadth. To learn more about this crime, visit any of the following organizations online for additional information:
2. Identify the Signs
Since dog fighting is considered an "underground" activity, it can be very difficult to pinpoint when it occurs. However, there are signs which can help you tip off local authorities to potential fighting operations.
According to the HSUS, these signs may include:
- Pit bulls on heavy chains
- Scarred dogs, especially pit bulls
- Treadmills
- Fighting pit, often with "scratch lines"
- Vitamins, drugs and vet supplies
- Breaking sticks
- Jenny mill or cat mill
- Dog fighting publications
- Springpole
3. Report Dog Fighting
If you witness a dog fight, the first thing you should do is call 911, since dog fighting is a felony crime in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Provide as much information as you can to the 911 dispatcher including the date and time, a description of the activities and those involved (both people and animals), and the location of the fight. Photographic and video evidence can also play an important role in prosecuting abusers, but never put yourself in harm's way or become a spectator.
If you have not witnessed a dog fight, but suspect this type of activity is happening in your community, you can contact your local animal control and provide a description of your concern which may include identifying the signs listed out in action step number two. You can also call a dog fighting hotline such as the HSUS tip line, which offers a reward of up to $5,000 if a tip leads to the conviction of a dogfighter. Check out One Green Plant's Animal Rescue Hotline directory to find dog fighting hotlines in your community.
4. Tip Off the Media
After you have contacted the proper authorities and alerted them to a dog fight in progress or suspected dog fighting activities, you can also contact your local media outlets and provide them with tips about what is happening (or has happened) in your community. Media channels are always searching for stories and investigative ones may spark great interest. What's more, working with the media has the potential to raise awareness about dog fighting and the plight of fighting dogs. Even if you may not have details about suspected fighting activities, you can always pitch local media outlets about dog fighting rescue stories as they also have the potential to garner a large amount of attention.
5. Contact Elected Officials
Even though dog fighting is already a felony in all 50 states, loopholes can be closed and penalties can be increased through legislation and amendments. To encourage policy change in your community, be sure to contact your elected officials either at the local, state, or national level and ask them to support any pending dog fighting legislation or other bills aimed at increasing animal cruelty charges.
If you would like to take this action a step further, you can schedule a meeting with your state legislators to discuss implementing a recommended amendment drafted by the Animal Legal Defense Fund (ALDF) which would "enable prosecutors to charge dogfighters under the respective state's Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organization Act (commonly referred to as "RICO") statue. Applied to animal fighting, RICO ... would give prosecutors increased muscle in seeking justice for animals abused ... and executed by their owners," as the ALDF reports.
6. Sign Petitions
Signing online petitions is an easy way to help animals without leaving your home. Petitions may require less than a minute to sign (or just a bit longer if you choose to personalize your message), but they can have far-reaching impacts as they are increasingly becoming a standard method of action against injustices. Search "dog fighting" on Change.org and Care2 to find current petitions related to ending cruel dog fights and strengthening action against them.
Animals Get Smacked and Killed in Front of Each Other at Spanish Laboratory
3 weeks ago
Animal protection NGO Cruelty-Free International has released details of a comprehensive investigation into a Spanish lab showing animal testing violations. The graphic undercover footage shows grisly, illegal scenes, according to the NGO's email.
The investigation found terrible acts like killing animals in front of other animals, as well as deliberate acts of cruelty including smacking, bad surgical practices, and poor handling and restraint of animals. These acts are just the tip of the iceberg.
Cruelty Issues:
As you read this, another innocent animal is being abused, neglected or forced to fight. The first step to creating positive change for these animals is recognizing the cruelty that threatens them.
Who are the Southern Resident Killer Whales?
The Southern Resident Killer Whales are a population of killer whales that live in the Pacific Northwest. They are often seen in the Salish Sea. Sadly, there are only 75 of them left. They are considered endangered. Their primary food source, Chinook salmon, are becoming increasingly scarce. Overfishing and dams in the snake river are depleting the fish population. The dams in the Snake River are outdated and should be removed. Removing them would bring back the lost fish and give the whales the food they need.
In August of 2020, the US Navy got approval for dangerous military testing that could kill the remaining whales. The situation is urgent.
Why should I care?
Killer whales are extremely intelligent and emotional animals. Each population has their own distinct languages and culture. Their vocalizations are so unique that killer whales that have been separated from their families for decades can still recognize them. Calves spend their entire lives with their mothers. Pods will assist their sick and injured family members. Without food, these whales cannot thrive.
In 2016, J28 "Polaris" passed away, leaving her 10 month old son, J54 "Dipper", alone. For days he was too weak to swim and delerius. His 7 year old sister, J46 "Star", desperately tried to bring him to the surface to breathe and offered him fish to eat. His body was covered in teeth marks from the many times his sister grabbed him. Sadly, without his mother to nurse him, he starved.
In July of 2018, J35 "Tahlequah", a female killer whale, lost her calf just minutes after birth. The grief-stricken mother carried her daughter's body for 17 days and over 1000 miles. She refused to leave her daughter behind, carrying the body even when she was visibly weak and hungry.
On September 4th, 2020, "Tahlequah" gave birth to a new calf, a son dubbed J57 by researchers. Only a few days later another calf, J58, was born to J41 "Eclipse". In a poll held by the Whale Museum in December of 2020, J57 was named "Phoenix" and J58 was named "Crescent". Although the babies appear to be strong and healthy, they will need salmon to grow and survive. With the dams in place and the Navy threatening their safety, this cannot happen.
help and donate at skrw.carrd.co !!
ANIMAL SHELTERS;
go to adoptapet.com to find some in your area!!!
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