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Dogfighting
Many people end up at
UnchainYourDog.org because they are looking for information on
dogfighting. Rap culture has glorified pit bull fighting. But we agree
with hip-hop mogul Russell Simmons that Cruel's Not Cool
(Listen
to Simmons or see
poster).
Contrary to what some people believe, it is NOT in a dog's
nature to fight for no reason. In the wild, wolves or dogs may fight
over territory. But dogs don't fight just for the fun of it!
Dogs are social animals who - in the wild - hunt together, sleep together, and play together. It is a dog's nature to respect the pack leader and get along with the rest of the pack. Not to fight.
For those of you who think dogfighting is cool: Do you think it's cool when children are abused? Does it make you happy when you hear about a child who has been beaten by his dad? Then why do you think it's cool to torture and abuse other living creatures in the same way? Examine why you think of animal cruelty as fun or exciting.
Dogs are not the same as humans. But dogs do feel
physical pain. Just because a dog can't say "That hurts!" doesn't mean
they don't feel pain.
Dogs also suffer from feelings such as loneliness when left
chained out by themselves. That's why they howl and bark--to try and get
some attention. If an ignored dog stops howling, it's because he's given
up hope.
Your dog would much rather be in the park fetching toys for you, or
running around the yard playing with another dog, than being trained to
fight. Just like a child would rather play with friends than be
abused.
Please, have a heart and
treat other living and feeling creatures the way you want to be treated:
with respect and kindness.
So much cruelty is involved in
dogfighting. Dogs are tortured to make them aggressive. Kittens and
puppies are used as "bait" to teach dogs to kill. Illegal drugs and
weapons are common at dogfights. Fighting dogs usually live on chains
their whole lives.
Dog fighting is a felony, so report it to the police and
get a $5,000 reward! You don't have to
leave your name. In order to prosecute, police need to catch a fight
while it's going on, find evidence of dogfighting, or get eyewitness
accounts of a fight. So if you hear about an upcoming fight, can provide
an eyewitness account, or know where there is evidence (treadmills,
injured dogs. etc.)--please report it!
To learn more about the
extreme cruelty of pit bull fighting and to how to stop it, visit:
Humane Society
of the US Campaign to End Dogfighting - HSUS offers tons of
resources on this issue, and has created a
multi-faceted campaign you can bring to your city to end dogfighting.
The site also has
news and PSAs you can order to play in your community.
Last
Chance for Animals
Animal Legal and Historical Center
The
Unexpected Pit Bull
The
Pit Bull Problem Anti-dogfighting video. (Warning - it is very sad.)
Off the Chain video: Director Bobby J. Brown spent three years
infiltrating the underground subculture of pit-bull fighting to make
this documentary. Makes you wonder how people who "love" their dogs so
much can watch them being torn apart and killed.
Our News page contains news stories
related to dogfighting.
Warning: The following quote describes
extreme cruelty and suffering. If you can read the following and still
think that dogfighting is cool, then you are probably a sociopath
(someone with no feelings.)
____________
His face is a mass of deep cuts, as are his shoulders and neck. Both of
his front legs have been broken, but Billy Bear isn't ready to quit. At
the referee's signal, his master releases him, and unable to support
himself on his front legs, he slides on his chest across the blood and
urine stained carpet, propelled by his good hind legs, toward the opponent
who rushes to meet him. Driven by instinct, intensive training and love
for the owner who has brought him to this moment, Billy Bear drives
himself painfully into the other dog's charge... Less than 20 minutes
later, rendered useless by the other dog, Billy Bear lies spent beside his
master, his stomach constricted with pain. He turns his head back toward
the ring, his eyes glazed, searching for a last look at the other dog as
he receives a bullet in his brain (Brown, 1982, p. 66).
--from
Pit
Bulls on the Web (an anti-dogfighting site)
Guard Dog, from Patrick McDonnell's wonderful comic strip Mutts.