Religious Leaders Pledge to Denounce Dogfighting in Chicago

	©The HSUS
	All animals deserve our protection and respect.

This is an inhumane practice that leads to the mistreatment of animals and fuels an unhealthy atmosphere in which gambling runs rampant and children are exposed to glorification of violence. There is also abundant evidence that the person who abuses an animal is likely to harm people as well. Dogfighters very often are involved in violence toward people, narcotics trafficking and other vices.

Cruelty to any of God's creatures is wrong, and when we harm animals, this behavior erodes the fabric of society.

God calls us to be stewards of His creation and entrusts animals to our care. We embrace the themes of mercy, compassion and faithful stewardship, and dogfighting is a betrayal of these principles.

As a leader in the Chicago religious community, I pledge:

» To acknowledge dogfighting as a community problem that breeds violence, and speak out against it as necessary;

» To educate youth about the dangers of dogfighting; and

» To highlight the responsibilities of people of faith to act as compassionate stewards of God's creatures. 

Related Links

Dogfighting

Dogfighting Fact Sheet

Ranking of State Dogfighting Laws

Taking Action to End Dogfighting: How to Spot the Signs and What You Can Do