So I watched an episode of Dogtown on the National Geographic Channel a few days ago about the Michael Vick dogs that were being rehabilitated at the Best Friends Sanctuary in Utah. The sanctuary became home to 22 of the “toughest cases” including Cherry, a young male who was likely used as bait and was terrified of humans, and Georgia, a female prized fighter whose teeth had been removed somewhere along her life presumably so she could be forced to breed. The transformation that these dogs made at Best Friends was nothing short of amazing and really speaks volumes of the animal spirit. It goes to show how kind hearted an animal’s nature (in most cases) is, all they want is love and affection, and it also goes to show the length some dogs will go to please humans, even if it means putting their own lives in danger (dog fighting).
After watching this episode I did some research online about dog fighting. I was under the assumption that dog fighting was no longer prevalent in the US, and if it was being practiced anywhere it was in the deep south (sorry, don’t mean to offend anyone!). I was astounded to find out that dog fighting has been actually increasing in the US, the Humane Society estimates that there are an estimated 40,000 people involved in the “professional” high-stakes organized rings while at least 100,000 more people participating in informal dog fighting. WOW! Really!? Damn that’s sick.
Somehow my research took me to this website, http://www.puppyprofits.com. Their heading says “Canine sport fighting for fun and profit”. What the heck, is this for real? “Dog fighting has never been so fun or profitable”. Really, how is this legal? Please tell me this is a joke.
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It is very prevalent in the Detroit area, unfortunately. Around here the dog fighting tends to go hand in hand with drug use and dealing. We have more pit bulls in this area than I have ever seen anywhere, deep south included.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately, I doubt the website is a joke. I think you can pretty much post anything on a website, and as long as they don't get caught actually fighting dogs, they'll probably be fine. The fact that anyone could call it fun is absolutely appalling.
The Minneapolis area is really bad too. Almost every single pit bull surrendered to the AHS was used for fighting.
ReplyDeleteI can't understand how someone can stand by and watch that, much less have fun! I think it must take a very ignorant and emotionally stunted individual.
I heard on Oprah that a person's personality is what it is by the age of six. That means that people need to be teaching compassion way before that.
I have gotten myself into a new job, unrelated to your post but relevant to your blog: Cat Trapper. I've taken on the job of trapping the feral cats in the neighborhood, getting them fixed and releasing them. Today is day 2, photos and chatter on my blog.
I knew that dog fighting still went on, mostly from watching Animal Cops on Animal Planet, but the statistics from the Humane Society floored me! I'm sure it happens in Sacramento as well. The shelters here are always full of pitts. I have noticed lately that there are a lot of ads in the pets section of Sac Craigslist for dogs that have been stolen out of their yard or cages while the owners are gone. I read an article from Arizona that said many times they will find dead bodies of dogs dumped in the desert, dogs that were reported as stolen or lost and then used as bait dogs. UGH, how awful. I sure hope that is not a trend here also. Have you guys seen that in your area?
ReplyDeleteEveryoneThinksThey'reGoodDrivers: That is a wonderful thing to be doing! It always irks me that some people don't spay/neuter their animals. Such a small thing to do to help end homelessness and suffering. Good for you!
There was actually a post on that on Craigslist yesterday. Apparently people are stealing pit bulls out of their back yards, especially in Detroit, to use for fighting or bait. However, around here I place a lot of the blame on people who have these dogs chained up outside and never let them in.
ReplyDeleteStealing dogs everywhere, to use as bait dogs, is unbelievably common...People that are giving their dogs and cats away on craigslist, for example, are frequently giving their dogs to people who will use these animals as bait or to give a dog a taste of blood.
ReplyDeleteWith the economy in the gutter, it's only going to get worse. Humans will be looking for a diversion and someone/thing in more pain than ourselves can satisfy the need.
Not only that but the non profits aren't getting the donations they may have in the past. City, town and county governments cut animal control and shelter budgets first.
In California, a reward is offered to make a call regarding dog fight venues.
scary scary world, getting scarier by the minute....
Wow people, come on...did you buy the Bonsai kittens website too? No red flags when you saw they sell doggie condoms with a cartoon dog on the packaging?
ReplyDeleteIf nothing else, hasn't everyone heard of Snopes by now????
http://www.snopes.com/inboxer/hoaxes/puppyprofits.asp
The website's obviously a joke...You didn't catch the "M. Vick" joke?
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