The Pit Bull Terrier (the higher picture) and the Amstafford. Taken from Wikipedia (2009).
As a representative of the canine population, I must update you on a recent development in the battle against dog fighing in America: the largest simultaneous raid of multiple dog fighting operations in the history of the United States, which took place on Wednesday, July 8th, 2009 in 8 states. In an unprecedented rescue operation orchestrated by federal, state, and local authorities with the assistance of the HSUS, a reported 450 of my brothers and sisters dogs that were bred for the purpose of dog fighting were rescued.
The following information about the raid was taken from the HSUS website and was retrieved July, 13, 2009, from http://www.hsus.org/acf/fighting/dogfight/the_biggest_dogfighting_raid.html
Hundreds Rescued in 8-State Dogfighting Raid
Following a lengthy investigation spurred by evidence collected by The Humane Society of Missouri (HSMO), Wednesday morning officers from multiple federal and state law enforcement agencies made arrests and seized dogs in Missouri, Mississippi, Nebraska, Illinois, Iowa, Texas, Oklahoma and Arkansas.
This is the largest simultaneous raid of multiple dog fighting operations in the history of the United States.
A Milestone in the Fight to End Dog fighting
"This intervention is a momentous victory in our ongoing battle to end the cruel, criminal dog fighting industry," said Wayne Pacelle, president and CEO of The HSUS.
"The Humane Society of the United States thanks the USDA Office of Inspector General and the Humane Society of Missouri for their commitment to eradicating this nationwide business enterprise that thrives off the pain and suffering of dogs.
With each raid we get one step closer to ending this cruel blood sport."
The HSUS acted as lead animal welfare agency in the rescues in Texas and Oklahoma and assisted the HSMO with the rescues conducted in Missouri and Illinois. That organization contacted us more than a year ago to provide expert assistance with this rescue.
The HSMO worked in cooperation with the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the United States Department of Agriculture, the U.S. Marshals Service and the U.S. Attorney to orchestrate this immense operation. The ASPCA, United Animal Nations and PetSmart Charities® are also assisting in various aspects of the rescue and sheltering efforts.
A Long Time Coming
For more than a month The HSUS has been doing logistical preparation for the raids, transporting equipment and specialized emergency shelter kenneling for hundreds of dogs to Missouri. Dozens of HSUS experts and volunteers have gathered to provide animal handling, transport, sheltering and documentation assistance. Many of the dogs rescued from these dog fighting operations will be taken to the emergency shelter in specially designed animal transport vehicles provided by The HSUS.
While they are being cared for, each dog will be evaluated by animal behavior experts from the Humane Society of Missouri and other organizations to determine their suitability for possible placement with rescue groups or individual adopters.
This rescue operation is a great example of how national and local animal welfare organizations can work together to combat the barbaric animal fighting industry.
What You Can Do
Help The HSUS in our national efforts against dog fighting with a gift to our rewards fund. If you suspect dog fighting in your community, learn how you can take action.
One of the dogs rescued from an Ala.
dogfighting raid. All rights reserved to the
HSUS, 2009.
All right reserved to the HSUS. Victims of
dogfighting suffer painful injuries, even death.
For those of you who don't know much about dog fighting, here is a dog fighting fact sheet published by the HSUS, retrieved July, 13, 2009, from http://www.hsus.org/acf/fighting/dogfight/dogfighting_fact_sheet.html
Dogfighting Fact Sheet
1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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. Children are especially at risk, because their small size may cause a fighting dog to perceive a child as another animal.
5. 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.
6. Do some states already have felony laws?
Yes. Dogfighting is illegal and a felony offense in all 50 states.
7. 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.
8. 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 [PDF].
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 we'll send our catalog as well.
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.
On behalf of my Terrier brothers and sisters dogs, I hope this information was useful to you and that each and every one of you will take some form of action to stop these vicious animal cruelty actions. I would also like to thank the HSUS and the authorities for taking harsh actions against animal offenders.
It is important to mention that the HSUS is offering a reward of up to $5,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of anyone involved in dog fighting and cock fighting.
In one of my next posts, I will address the issue of why people are afraid to adopt dogs such as Pit Bull Terriers and Amstafs and the controversy that surrounds these dogs almost everywhere in the world.
After so much activity, I must get some sleep...
Till next time,
Sushoni
References
Sushony you are the smarter dog ever
ReplyDeleteWild thing, i think i love you...
It is so important to save these dogs
ReplyDeleteGood job