August 11, 2010
Gang Dogs
Animal Planet special on dogfighting airs August 16 at 10:00pm ET/PT
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This is one of many dogs confiscated from gang members who are dogfighters. Dogfighting is a felony in all 50 states. Animal Planet
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Street dogfighting is on the rise in urban areas. But we are making inroads into street dogfighting too. Animal Planet
The third in a series of quarterly one-hour specials, Animal Planet Investigates: Gang Dogs probes the secret and cruel gang culture that forces innocent dogs to become pawns in urban gang warfare. Used for a variety of depraved purposes from brutal dogfighting to settling arguments between members to even being used to attack police and protect drug stashes, these dogs also serve as macho status symbols and inspire tattoos, clothing, and gang names.
Chronicling the abusive culture of the nation's most feared gangs in Fresno, California, Columbus, Ohio and Chicago, Illinois, Animal Planet Investigates: Gang Dogs reveals how fighting dogs are made to endure horrendous treatment and brutal training, and yet remain loyal canines, desperately seeking approval from their owners because it's the only attention they've ever known.
While this gritty special depicts the harsh reality of dogs locked in a vicious cycle of violence, it also offers hope and highlights the progress being made by The Humane Society of the United States' End Dogfighting campaign in educating and rehabilitating gang members and dogfighters to recognize their dogs as friends, not fighters. Animal Planet Investigates: Gang Dogs features HSUS's John Goodwin and follows the "boots on the ground" work of HSUS's End Dogfighting team, including head trainer Jeff Jenkins, urban outreach director Tio Hardiman, and reformed gang member Sean Moore as they take the innovative program to the places where it matters most—the streets. End Dogfighting is currently operating in Chicago, Atlanta and Philadelphia.
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