Taking Action to End Dogfighting: How to Spot the Signs and What You Can Do |
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| ©The HSUS |
| This dog was wounded in a dogfight. He got help, but many others are not so lucky. |
Although the Michael Vick dogfighting case, and his recent release from prison, have focused the national spotlight on dogfighting cruelties, dogfighting has long been a thriving underground industry across the country in both urban and rural areas. Our work has these criminals on the defensive, but there are still many ways you can help.
What You Can Do
1. Spread the word about our $5,000 reward by ordering a free reward action pack! Includes posters, postcards, brochures and stickers with information about our reward. Put them up around your neighborhood and help stop dogfighting.
2. Ask Amazon.com to stop selling animal fighting magazines (incredibly, they still do) and tell your friends how they can help.
3.
Help take a bite out of dogfighters. Urge your local radio station to run one of our
public service announcements, available in
English or
Spanish about our standing
$5,000 reward for information leading to a conviction of illegal dogfighting.
4. If you live in a state where dogfighting penalties are deficient (like California, New York or several others), write to your state legislators and urge them to upgrade the law.
5. Wherever you live, urge your local, state and Congressional representatives to support better funding for enforcement of animal fighting laws.
6. Sign up to receive HSUS email alerts to get the latest news about our efforts to combat animal cruelty.
7. Put a dedicated team on the animals' side by donating to our Animal Cruelty Response and Reward Fund.
8. Write letters to the editor about the cruelty and dangers of dogfighting. Write letters to law enforcement officials, such as your local sheriff, police department and prosecutors, urging them to take the issue seriously.
9. Post our Dog Fighting video on your website, blog or social networking profile like MySpace to raise awareness about dogfighting.
10. If you suspect dogfighting in your own neighborhood, alert local law enforcement. Urge your local officials to contact The HSUS for practical tools, advice and assistance. The HSUS has a standing reward—recently doubled to $5,000—for information leading to a conviction of illegal dogfighting.
How to Spot Signs of Dogfighting in Your Community
- An inordinate number of pit bulls being kept in one location, especially multiple dogs who are chained and seem unsocialized.
- Dogs with scars on their faces, front legs and stifle area (hind end and thighs).
- Dogfighting training equipment such as
- treadmills used to build dogs' endurance
- "break sticks" used to pry apart the jaws of dogs locked in battle
- tires or "springpoles" (usually a large spring with rope attached to either end) hanging from tree limbs
- Unusual foot traffic coming and going from a location at odd hours.
Updated May 2009
See the Video
Video for Law Enforcement Agencies: "Pit Bull Fighting—What Every Cop Should Know"
Related Links
Dogfighting Fact Sheet
Animal Fighting Laws: Where Does Your State Stand?
Sample Letter to Law Enforcement Agencies
Sample Letter to Prosecutors and Judges
