November 29, 2011
End Dogfighting
Campaign helps end dogfighting by strengthening bonds between people and dogs
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Training classes strengthen bonds between dogs and owners, often making dog fighting unthinkable. Sally Ryan
Since 2006, the End Dogfighting program has applied a unique multi-pronged approach—community outreach, Pit Bull Training Team classes, the Canines & Communities humane education curriculum, and law enforcement partnerships—to provide positive alternatives for people and dogs at risk of being—or already involved in—street dogfighting.
Spreading from city to city
We started our work in Chicago, then branched out to Atlanta in 2008. In 2010, with the help of a grant from the Philadelphia Eagles, we launched End Dogfighting in Philadelphia.
A community problem needs a community solution
Over the years, it’s become clear that animal fighting doesn’t occur in a vacuum; it’s part of a host of issues in a community. We’ve learned we can help more dogs and come closer to ending dogfighting by not being narrowly focused but rather addressing a wider range of animal welfare issues in the community. That’s why we’ve incorporated End Dogfighting program into our comprehensive Pets for Life program.
The bond makes the difference
We’ve seen it happen time and time again: Dog training classes—now not just for pit bulls and their owners but for all breeds—strengthen the bond between an owner and a dog. And it doesn’t stop there. We connect owners with affordable or free veterinary services, engage the community in concerns about animal wellness, and create ties between dog owners and local shelters and groups. The result is dogs who have become more valuable to their owners, and owners who are less likely to fight their dogs. Everybody wins.