April 15, 2010
Pit Bull Resources
Making "pawsitive" change for America's most abused dog
-
Pit bulls can present new challenges to rescue groups. iStockphoto
-
Rescued from a dogfighting bust, Plum, Arlo, and Scout are great rescue successes. The HSUS
-
As high-energy dogs, pit bulls benefit greatly from focused training. The HSUS
As the breed of choice for dogfighters, pit bulls attract many people who want them for all the wrong reasons. As a result, they are the most abused, misunderstood dog breed—comprising an estimated 70% of dogs housed and euthanized in urban animal shelter systems.
It's a grim situation for a breed whose sweet temperament around children once earned it the nickname of "the nanny dog."
The HSUS is invested in turning the tide for pit bulls, tackling the problem from every angle. We invite you to get involved in our groundbreaking efforts in the areas of:
- Dogfighting
- The Pit Bull Training Team
- Humane education
- Spay/neuter programs
- Anti-chaining efforts
- Sheltering pit bulls
- Breed-specific legislation
- Positive pit bull stories
Dogfighting directly maims and/or kills over 250,000 pit bulls a year. It kills many thousands of other dogs indirectly due to the large numbers of pit bulls entering shelters as a result of overbreeding and being confiscated by law enforcement. The numbers of pit bulls suffering and dying on the streets and in back yards from neglect or abuse—the byproducts of dogfighting—is untold. The HSUS tackles dogfighting with:
- A national tip line, 1-877-TIP-HSUS
- $5,000 reward for information leading to dogfighting convictions
- Law enforcement training courses in animal fighting investigation
- The largest-known database of intelligence on individual dogfighters
- Grants from the Ware Animal Fighting Rescue Fund to help agencies care for animals seized from fighting rings
- Prosecutor training to help law enforcement bring successful cases against dogfighters
- Legislation in every state to make dogfighting a felony, with varying penalties. The HSUS continues to fight for steep penalties for all aspects of dogfighting, including being a spectator or possessing dogs with the intent to fight them.
- Get involved: Order our dogfighting action pack today!
Pit Bull Training Team classes, sponsored by The HSUS in inner cities, reach out to young men who might otherwise be tempted to fight their dogs. By funneling the energies of these young men and their dogs into obedience and agility training, The HSUS hopes to change the fates of potentially hundreds of thousands of dogs who suffer in urban dogfighting annually. The classes are an integral part of our End Dogfighting campaign in high-risk neighborhoods, which you can launch in your neighborhood!
- Get involved: Learn how to start End Dogfighting programs in your own city.
Humane education in classrooms is offered as a free, eight-week curriculum for middle school students that focuses on dogfighting and recasting pit bulls in the image of friends, not fighters. The curriculum includes a game show, field trip, and final project. It's free for teachers and activists who want to implement it in their own communities.
- Get Involved: Contact sdelisle@humanesociety.org to get your copy of the curriculum, guidance materials, and instructions for the course.
Spay/neuter programs for pit bulls in inner cities are extremely important. In urban areas, the numbers of homeless and/or abused pit bulls are higher than ever, and spay/neuter is essential in the effort to stop the cycle of abuse. We offer a variety of tools to help you more effectively reach this at-risk breed in your community.
- Get involved: To learn more about effective spay/neuter programs and initiatives, please vist our Spay/Neuter Resource Page.
Anti-chaining efforts, including our national radio spots and working on laws at local and state levels, directly impact pit bulls, as they are the most common victims of chaining. Almost all dogs kept for fighting are kept chained. Isolated and deprived, untrained and driven to frustration, chained dogs can become aggressive and dangerous.
- Get involved: Become part of the effort to stop the chaining of dogs in your community.
Sheltering pit bulls seized from fighting operations or abusive situations is a unique challenge for animal shelters and law enforcement. We have information that can help agencies provide quality care for pit bulls being held for long periods.
- Get involved: Animal shelter employees and volunteers can learn about the special needs of abused pit bulls. Pit Bull Rescue Central also has an excellent guide for helping organizations understand the needs of pit bulls in shelters.
Opposing Breed Specific Legislation (BSL), a shortsighted and ineffective response to dog bites in a community, is another priority for The HSUS. By placing bans on specific dog breeds (most often pit bulls) BSL unfairly targets dogs who are most often not problematic, because irresponsible owners are not likely to abide by laws in the first place.
- Get Involved: Read Pit Bull Rescue Central's advice on tackling BSL.
Circulating positive pit bull stories can help change the image of the breed. Check out Elmo and Dagnabit.
More recommended reading and viewing:
- Pit Bull Rescue Central's printable handout page
- The Pit Bull Placebo
- Off the Chain (DVD documentary)
- Out of the Pits: Dogfighting in Chicago (DVD)