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| HSUS |
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Pit bulls and pit mixes comprise about a third
of the shelter dog population nationwide. |
Six in Columbus, Ohio. Thirty-seven in South Holland, Ill. Thirty-one in Reelsboro, N.C, 22 in Richland County, S.C., and four more in Chicago.
In the last two weeks alone, animal control and police departments around the country have seized dozens of wounded, scarred and scared pit bulls from houses, barns, backyards and city streets. The 52 pit bulls rescued from Michael Vick's property in April may be the most famous victims of dogfighting, but they aren't the only ones.
And animal shelters bear the brunt of cleaning up after the barbaric practitioners of this bloodsport, spending their limited resources on investigations, seizures and long-term care. Due largely to animal fighting, pit bulls and pit mixes make up about 30 percent of the shelter dog population nationwide; in city shelters, that number can climb as high as 75 percent.
For animals who've been rescued from dogfighters, the shelter is usually the best home they will ever know. Caring for them is among the most difficult challenges shelters face. Most pit bulls in dogfighting situations are confined to chains or locked inside crates when not being subjected to brutal training regimens. Deprived of normal, healthy activity, they arrive at shelters in a high state of arousal. Once in their kennels, they've been known to chew through walls, rip out automatic watering systems and chew on stainless steel bowls as if they were toys.
Because these dogs are trained to fight and conditioned to be aggressive, most shelters conclude that placing animals seized from dogfighters in new homes presents too many risks to people, other pets and the dogs themselves. But many of the dogs must still be held as evidence as cases makes their way to trial. To alleviate their boredom and frustration, compassionate shelter workers have devised creative "toys" other dogs would turn their noses up at: bowling balls to push around, for instance, or giant blocks of ice embedded with kibble.
These enrichment efforts give dogs who've led lives of misery at least some small comfort, but shelter workers nationwide would prefer to prevent their suffering in the first place. Some organizations run proactive campaigns to spay and neuter pit bulls, encourage local citizens to report suspected dogfighting activities, lobby law enforcement officials to recognize dogfighting as a serious crime and highlight the positive attributes of pit bulls as pets.
What You Can Do
You can also help pit bulls and join the fight against the brutal practice of dogfighting by:
- reporting suspected dogfighting activities or any other evidence of possible animal cruelty to your local animal control agency, police department or humane society;
- supporting your local shelter and humane law enforcement/animal control agencies by volunteering your time, donating items to assist with the care of animals or making a financial contribution;
- join us in supporting legislation seeking stiffer penalties for animal fighting; and
- learning the truth about pit bulls, many of whom make great pets. Spread the word: one of the best ways to help these animals is by dispelling the myths and stigma associated with the breed.
