Charlotte Religious Leaders Gather to Denounce Violence of Dogfighting
The Humane Society of the United States launched End Dogfighting in Charlotte, a program modeled after the successful End Dogfighting in Chicago pilot program. End Dogfighting in Charlotte will strike the core of urban dogfighting by using proven preventative methods such as youth anti-violence intervention, dog training classes, community outreach, humane education and law enforcement partnerships. As part of the program's community outreach component, a contingent of Charlotte religious leaders marked the occasion by denouncing the violence of dogfighting and signing a pledge to help combat the crime.
"Dogfighting is a horribly cruel blood sport that hurts not only thousands of innocent dogs, but also the communities where it occurs," said Laurie Maxwell, deputy manager of The Humane Society of the United States' animal cruelty and fighting campaign. "The enthusiasm that community leaders in Charlotte have expressed to end dogfighting in the city will be a powerful contributor of the success of the program."
"Some of our youth have become desensitized to the pain, suffering and physical disfigurement indicative of dogfighting," said Mark Balestra, division director, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Animal Care & Control. "Changing their vision and redirecting the fighting dog stigma will have a direct impact on our future intake and euthanasia numbers of Pit Bulls in our municipal shelter."
End Dogfighting in Charlotte will use the following innovative and proven community outreach methods to change attitudes and actions:
Anti-Dogfighting Advocates — The HSUS hires young men with roots in the community to combat dogfighting on a grassroots level. In neighborhoods most impacted by this crime, they mediate with men and boys at risk of getting involved in dogfighting, and intervene in dogfights.
Pit Bull Training Team — The HSUS holds free and accessible weekly pit bull training classes, which provide inspiring alternatives to dogfighting that showcase pit bulls as friends, not fighters.
Community Outreach — The HSUS holds events in the community to promote its anti-dogfighting message and develop trust in the community. Examples include vaccination clinics, dog house giveaways, rallies and religious leader outreach.
Law Enforcement Partnership — To fully eradicate street dogfighting, law enforcement officers need to know what to look for. In the Charlotte metro area, The HSUS has partnered with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Animal Care & Control department, offering them training on catching dogfighting and providing a reward of up to $5,000 for tips leading to convictions.
Humane Education — The HSUS developed a special eight-week curriculum for middle school children. This curriculum tackles the topic of dogfighting through games and hands-on activities.
Dogfighting B-roll and high-resolution images are available at video.hsus.org.
-30-
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.
