The HSUS Reacts to Cruelty Charges Against Rapper DMX

May 10, 2008

The Humane Society of the United States reacted to Maricopa County Sheriff's Office arrest of rapper DMX, aka Earl Simmons, on animal cruelty charges. Friday's arrest comes after an Aug. 25 raid on DMX's property revealed a dozen neglected and malnourished pit bulls, many of them scarred, and at least three dead dogs buried in the yard. According to news accounts, authorities seized five pit bull puppies from the rapper's property.

"DMX has glamorized the vicious image of the pit bull on his album covers and in his lyrics for years, but it's much more than the reputation of these beleaguered animals that has suffered," said John Goodwin, manager of animal fighting issues for The HSUS. "Twelve dogs seized from his property were clearly suffering, and we commend Maricopa County Sheriff's Office for bringing charges in this case."

The rapper and actor has a history of cruelty towards animals dating back almost a decade and has been charged with and pleaded guilty to animal cruelty. In 1998, DMX's Teaneck, N.J. home was raided by police, uncovering 13 caged and neglected pit bulls, many showing evidence of dogfighting. The case was settled four years later, when he pleaded guilty to animal cruelty charges. 

"It's unfortunate that one of hip hop's icons has been linked to animal cruelty," said Brian Sims, Ph.D., executive director of the Hip Hop Journalism Association. "This highlights the need for the entire hip hop journalism community to speak out against all forms of cruelty, including dogfighting."

For more information about dogfighting, visit humanesociety.org/dogfighting.

DMX and Dogfighting

• The inside of DMX's "Grand Champ" CD, which features a pit bull on the cover, contains a booklet that outlines the definition of a "champion" fighting dog.
• In a song titled "Dog Match," DMX raps,

Place your bets
You can imagine what the bloodline is like
Since I love mine to fight…
All my pups is crazy, cause off the leash
They can eat, stand a match for 3 hours at least

• DMX's "Ruff Ryder" recording label once created and marketed its own "Game Dog Professional" brand of dog food, featuring a muscular pit bull on the bag. Game dogs are well known as fighting dogs. 
• DMX released a CD titled "Year of the Dog, Again" featuring a snarling pit bull on the cover, further reinforcing the image of the pit bull as a vicious fighting animal.

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The Humane Society of the United States is the nation's largest animal protection organization — backed by 10.5 million Americans, or one of every 30. For more than a half-century, The HSUS has been fighting for the protection of all animals through advocacy, education, and hands-on programs. Celebrating animals and confronting cruelty — On the web at humanesociety.org.