November 2, 2009

End Dogfighting

Campaign tackles urban dogfighting

  • Agility training funnels the dogs' energy into positive activities. Jeff Jenkins

  • Humane education classes cast pit bulls as friends, not fighters. The HSUS

  • Sean Moore is a one of our key anti-dogfighting advocates. Saverio Truglia

Street dogfighting is rampant in our cities, perpetuating animal cruelty, violence, and crime. It causes horrible animal suffering and desensitizes young people to cruelty.

In this underground world, whoever has the toughest pit bull is the winner—but the dogs and our communities are the losers.

But The HSUS is on the front lines, offering a new grassroots preventative method for cities to tackle street dogfighting.

In 2006, The HSUS launched its city-wide pilot program to stop street dogfighting, End Dogfighting in Chicago. The program uses the innovative and proven community outreach methods to change attitudes and actions.

Because of its success, End Dogfighting has expanded to Atlanta, and should start classes in Philadelphia and Los Angeles soon. 

  • 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. Because they are respected community members, they can reach people others cannot. Read more »

  • 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. Read more »

  • 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. Read more »

  • Law Enforcement Partnership. To fully eradicate street dogfighting, cops need to know what to look for. The HSUS partners with law enforcement, offering them training on catching dogfighting and providing a reward of up to $5,000 for tips leading to convictions. Read more »

  • 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. Read more »

    For more information on getting involved with an End Dogfighting program in Chicago or Atlanta, contact Laurie Maxwell. Don't live in one of these cities? Read how you can bring End Dogfighting to your city.


    Michael Vick is participating in the End Dogfighting program to send the message to urban youth that dogfighting is a dead-end road. Watch the video below.

    And read Wayne Pacelle's blog about Vick's role in our work to eradicate dogfighting from the U.S.

     

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