Karen Branson-- I LOVE dogs - pit bulls aren't *really* dogs. They are a mutation of a dog. This garbage breed needs to be eliminated.

Karen Branson

Luke & Babette's Big "Pitbull" Lobby I LOVE dogs - pit bulls aren't *really* dogs. They are a mutation of a dog. This garbage breed needs to be eliminated. They serve not purpose that can't be filled by pretty much any other breed of dog, without the inherent risk to society. Unless of course, you're a dog fighter. If that's the case, no other dog will do! Sure, they've tried it with other breeds but it just doesn't work.

Reply · Like · 3 · 9 hours ago

Karen Branson

Luke & Babette's Big "Pitbull" Lobby

http://www.curiosityaroused.com/nature/top-10-most-dangerous-dog-breeds-based-on-bite-fatalities/
What breed of dog is most likely to turn on its owner?
http://www.dognotebook.com/15-dangerous-dog-breeds-most-likely-to-turn-on-their-owners/

I convinced an acquaintance to give up their pit bull they had adopted 2-3 years ago as a puppy. She had been sold all the typical lies the shelters tell to pawn these savages off on unsuspecting people. I provided her with information and let her draw her own conclusion. She had started the whole conversation talking about how frustrating it was that all the women in her new neighborhood, that liked to get together after the kids left for school, and walk their dogs together, had snubbed her. While they were typically friendly, when it came to walking their dogs, they would not invite her, or made excuses to keep her from joining when she asked about it. Also, they would not allow the children to come to her home for play-dates, even though she assured them she would be happy to crate the mutant. She finally called them out on it and they admitted they did not want to have their dogs around hers and they didn't feel comfortable being around it. So naturally, I sided with the neighborhood ladies and from that conversation, sent her some information. She really had no idea!

After she read my information, she said she could never look at her dog the same and would never be able to relax and trust her around her kids after knowing what she knows, and how many had turned on their families. Her husband wasn't on board but she insisted and they surrendered the dog! She thanked me and said she didn't know all that when they got the dog and always thought she was so sweet but she simply could not take that risk with her kids (because she was a GOOD parent)! As she put it, "My god, I can't 'unknow' this now". Kids were upset but got over it when the got a new, normal breed puppy! Good that you live in the kind of neighborhood where pits are the norm, but that's not really our demographic. Oh, and now, she's part of the coffee klatch, "Wisteria Lane", dog walking group! All's well that ends well! Except for the pit of course. She said she felt bad because it had still been in the shelter months later.

Reply · Like · 3 · 11 hours ago

Karen Branson

I have also shared pit bull information with several people considering adoption (the shelters *really* push these dangerous dogs on families) and the information changed minds. If anyone is ever teetering on the fence, I encourage them to subscribe to google alerts for pit bull attacks for two weeks to a month. That is usually very effective. I've also gotten countless private message thanking me for the information and links I share (in addition to the ones calling me names, threatening to have their mutant rip me to shreds, veiled threats and letting me know they "know where I live", you know, typical pit bull owner bullying) and often asking for more info to share with family members, neighbors, etc. that might already have a pit bull or be considering a pit bull, or as often as not, sharing their sad pit bull attack stories.

Karen Branson--I convinced an acquaintance to give up their pit bull they had adopted 2-3 years ago as a puppy. (this woman just oozes hate filled puke)

Karen Branson

Luke & Babette's Big "Pitbull" Lobby

http://www.curiosityaroused.com/nature/top-10-most-dangerous-dog-breeds-based-on-bite-fatalities/
What breed of dog is most likely to turn on its owner?
http://www.dognotebook.com/15-dangerous-dog-breeds-most-likely-to-turn-on-their-owners/

I convinced an acquaintance to give up their pit bull they had adopted 2-3 years ago as a puppy. She had been sold all the typical lies the shelters tell to pawn these savages off on unsuspecting people. I provided her with information and let her draw her own conclusion. She had started the whole conversation talking about how frustrating it was that all the women in her new neighborhood, that liked to get together after the kids left for school, and walk their dogs together, had snubbed her. While they were typically friendly, when it came to walking their dogs, they would not invite her, or made excuses to keep her from joining when she asked about it. Also, they would not allow the children to come to her home for play-dates, even though she assured them she would be happy to crate the mutant. She finally called them out on it and they admitted they did not want to have their dogs around hers and they didn't feel comfortable being around it. So naturally, I sided with the neighborhood ladies and from that conversation, sent her some information. She really had no idea!

After she read my information, she said she could never look at her dog the same and would never be able to relax and trust her around her kids after knowing what she knows, and how many had turned on their families. Her husband wasn't on board but she insisted and they surrendered the dog! She thanked me and said she didn't know all that when they got the dog and always thought she was so sweet but she simply could not take that risk with her kids (because she was a GOOD parent)! As she put it, "My god, I can't 'unknow' this now". Kids were upset but got over it when the got a new, normal breed puppy! Good that you live in the kind of neighborhood where pits are the norm, but that's not really our demographic. Oh, and now, she's part of the coffee klatch, "Wisteria Lane", dog walking group! All's well that ends well! Except for the pit of course. She said she felt bad because it had still been in the shelter months later.

Pit Bull Cruelty

In recent years, Pit Bulls have gained more than just a foothold in public awareness. Unscrupulous breeding and negative media attention have resulted in many apartment complexes, neighborhoods and even counties imposing bans on Pits and Pit mixes, citing them as "inherently dangerous" to the public.

Pit Bulls often attract the worst kind of dog owners—people who are only interested in these dogs for fighting or protection. While Pit Bulls were once considered especially non-aggressive to people, their reputation has changed, thanks to unscrupulous breeders and irresponsible owners. And because the Pit Bull population has increased so rapidly, shelters now struggle to deal with an overflow of image-plagued, hard-to-place dogs.

History of the Breed

Pit Bulls are descendants of the original English bull-baiting dog—a dog that was bred to bite and hold bulls, bears and other large animals around the face and head. "Bulldogs" were bred to hang on without releasing their grip, until the animal was exhausted from fighting and from loss of blood. When baiting large animals was banned in the 1800s, people then started to fight their dogs against each other instead.

As the "sport" of dog fighting developed, enthusiasts bred a lighter, more athletic canine. These dogs made their way to North America, the ancestors of today's Pit Bulls. Pit Bulls that were not used for fighting were considered ideal family pets—affectionate, loyal and gentle with children. Serious problems started when these dogs gained the attention of people looking for a macho dog—and to meet their demands, unscrupulous and uncaring breeders are producing puppies that were not only aggressive to other dogs, but also to people.

In the Fighting Ring

Although a felony offense in all 50 states, organized dog fights still take place in many parts of the country. In some urban areas especially, dogfighters have formed a strong subculture. Dogs that fight are bred and conditioned to never give up when they are fighting, even if it means that they will be badly hurt or killed. Other animals are victims of dog fights, too—it's not uncommon for trainers to encourage their dogs' aggression by using other dogs and smaller animals such as cats, rabbits and rodents as bait.

While some might typify dog fighting as a symptom of urban decay, not every dogfighter is economically disadvantaged. Participants and promoters come from every community and all backgrounds, with audiences including lawyers, judges and teachers and other upstanding community leaders.

Unfortunately, a new element has been introduced to the world of dog fighting over the past two decades. Fights have become informal street corner and playground activities. Stripped of the rules and formality of the traditional pit fight, these spontaneous events are triggered by insults and turf invasions—or even the simple taunt, "My dog can kill your dog." Many people who participate in these fights lack even a semblance of respect for the animals, often starving and beating them to encourage aggressive behavior.

What You Can Do

• Visit the ASPCA Advocacy Center to keep up to date on dog fighting legislation in your state.
• Adopt a Pit Bull and let your perfect pooch be an ambassador for the breed!
• If your local shelter is facing a Pit Bull dilemma, volunteer to help keep adoptable Pit Bulls and Pit mixes mentally and physically fit by exercising them or taking them to obedience classes. You can also lead a chew-toy drive at work to collect hard rubber playthings to keep them busy, or help create a fund-raiser to support a free sterilization program for Pit Bulls in your local community.
• Visit Pit Bull Rescue Central for information on adopting and caring for American Pit Bull Terriers, American Staffordshire Terriers and Pit Bull mixes.

Related Links

Kentucky: Owning Dogs to Fight Them Should Be a Crime!

Kentucky, dogs urgently need your voice! Visit the ASPCA Advocacy Center to urge your state representative to support H.B. 154 to help put an end to dog fighting in the Bluegrass State. Take action now.

National Dog Fighting Awareness Day

The ASPCA designated April 8 as National Dog Fighting Awareness Day (NDFAD) to increase understand and awareness about dog fighting and to encourage animal lovers across the country to take action against this brutal form of animal cruelty.

Slideshow: Tools of the Dog Fighting Trade

Take an inside look at the tools used by dog fighters to raise, train and fight dogs. This slideshow includes artifacts displayed at a 2013 exhibit featuring evidence seized from dog fighting raids, including the largest dog fighting raid in U.S. history.

Dog Fighting FAQ

Read answers to commonly asked questions about the cruel sport of dog fighting, including those related to its historical roots, its consequences for dogs forced to compete, and what the ASPCA is doing to stop this inhumane practice.

How the ASPCA Helped Take Down Michael Vick

The 2007 indictment of Michael Vick led to historic changes in the animal welfare field and the nation’s perception of dog fighting. The ASPCA is proud to have played an important role.

Ways to Help End Dog Fighting

Despite the widespread illegality of dog fighting, people still train pit bulls to participate in dog fights in communities around the country. Find out how you can help stop this cruel sport

https://www.aspca.org/fight-cruelty/dog-fighting/pit-bull-cruelty
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Dog Fighting: A Sad Reality

As I was watching Animal Cops Detroit on Animal Planet, I yet again saw another case of pit bulls being removed from their owner's property because of illegal dog fighting.  I watched in horror as they removed the dogs, and saw that some had huge pieces of skin torn from them, including ears and noses.  Some had their paws missing, and others were already dead.  Medicine was also found on the property, but not regular medicine like Tylenol or Benadryll.  These were medicines that the owners would inject into their dogs to make them stronger or more awake; some were just for experiments.  In fact, drugs such as merowana or heroin are also given to the dogs, but not even for any type of medical reasons at all: they're given to their dogs for fun.
   Keep in mind: a dog is not born as fighter; a dog is born and is trained to fight.  The cruel ways of training these poor animals to kill another animal are grotesque, brutal, and horrifying.  Some dogs are called bait dogs, where when a dog is too weak to fight, they'll tape the muzzle of the dog shut and throw it in the ring with a stronger dog and encourage it to kill the bait dog.  The dog whose muzzle had been taped shut has no possible way of fighting back.  Puppies and kittens are also used as bait.  The owners will sometimes have poles that are stuck in the ground with a larger pole coming out of the top horizontally.  On either side of the horizontal pole will be two chains.  On one chain, there will be a puppy or kitten in a cage.  The other, a pit bull, who's forced to chase the small animal in the cage.
    In a match, the object of the "sport" is that two dogs will fight against each other.  The winner lives, but the loser is killed by either being beaten, drowned, or shot.  But the winner of the match is not celebrating because it survived a brutal death.  It has to move on to another round to face another dog, and win or lose, the pit bull faces a horrible fate.
    The brutality of dog fighting is unreal, yet sadly, it exists.  A pit bull is trained to kill and fight; it is not naturally born aggressive.  Here are the facts laid out in front you: if we outlaw pit bulls, dog fighting will only grow more popular because the dog fighters will work harder to get the dogs.  There is absolutely no real reason to ban pit bulls.  People will say, "There are countless pit bull attacks reported!"  But that's not so.  In some cases, the dog was unable to be identified, but they still reported it as a pit bull.  There are so many attacks from other breeds, but they're just not reported. 
    Consider the facts and consider the pain that thousands of dogs have felt because of irresponsible owners.  This can be stopped, and yes, it will take time, but that doesn't mean it can't be ended.  It can only end if more people fight against it.  It has to be stopped.  A dog has to be saved.

Pit Bull Abuse

Akeera, an American Pit Bull Terrier, was found in a tiny crate with no food or water and nothing but her own waste.  She did come out of this horrible ordeal, and is still full of love and kindness.  Akeera now has a loving family.

Another loving pit bull was seized from his home for 17 months by the Australian government. His owner had to pay $40,000 in court to bring him home. 

 Check out this article by Nancy Perkins:
    Lucas isn't your typical brown-eyed bundle of puppy love. His massive muzzle is crisscrossed with jagged, now-healed cuts and his finely muscled body is pitted with old puncture wounds and bite marks.  "His face is so scarred, but he's such an amazing dog," coos Carissa Hendrick as Lucas enthusiastically wiggles into her arms, covering her face with sloppy kisses. "He knows he's in a safe place."
       Lucas, along with 21 other pit bulls, once belonged to ex-NFL quarterback Michael Vick and his now disbanded Bad Newz Kennels dog-fighting ring inVirginia. Lucas and his canine buddies are now living at Best Friends Animal Society, the nation's largest no-kill animal shelter, located just outside of Kanab in the red rock wonderland of Angel Canyon.  "A lot of the dogs came here really fearful, but they're starting to come around," said Hendrick, who works as a caregiver for the dogs placed with BestFriends. "I thought these dogs would be more of a challenge, but they're not at all what I expected."  
    Vick is serving a 23-month prison term for bankrolling the illegal operation and helping to kill dogs he considered to be under-performing. Three co-conspirators have also been sentenced in the high-profile case.**In fact, only one of these dogs had to be euthanized because it was mentally affected by fighting.  All of the other dogs were able to be put up for adoption.
                         Article obtained fromhttp://www.deseretnews.com/article/1,5143,695248131,00.html




These are just some of the hundreds (repeat hundreds) of situations of pit bull cruelty and pit bulls being saved.
Some cases involved pit bulls that were set on fire, had acid poured on them, and were even injected with drugs until they died.
Pit bulls are not the killers that the media wants you to believe.  Don't hate what you don't know.  Discrimination because of this breed is IGNORANCE.

Did You Know...?

Here are some interesting facts about pit bulls that you may not have known about.

• Pit bulls are in fact the least likely breed to attack anyone
• They are extremely loving and gentle and were the number one dog of America until pit bull fighting became popular
• The American Pit Bull Terrier scored 83.4% on its behavioral test while the collie (awww, Lassie) scored a mere 79%
• A golden retriever has a higher bite percentage and is more likely to bite than a pit bull
• Being aggressive to humans was never part of the pit bull's temperament and was bred out of them over 100 years ago
• Pit bulls only cover 21% of all dog attacks
• When a pit bull was being tested to see if it could be a rescue dog, it was the only dog out of three other breeds (lab, German shepherd, golden retriever) to complete the obstacle (finding a hidden boy past a barbed wire fence) without any human help - it in fact jumped through the barbed wire fence to rescue the boy and received 67 stitched afterwards

                      Learn anything new?

http://savethebulls.webs.com/pitbullabuse.htm

Dogfighting Fact Sheet

Chad Sisneros

What is dogfighting?
Dogfighting is a sadistic "contest" in which two dogs—specifically bred, conditioned, and trained to fight—are placed in a pit (generally a small arena enclosed by plywood walls) to fight each other for the spectators' entertainment and gambling.

Fights average one to two hours, ending when one of the dogs will not or cannot continue. In addition to these organized dogfights, street dogfights are a problem in many urban areas.

How does it cause animal suffering?The injuries inflicted and sustained by dogs participating in dogfights are frequently severe, even fatal. The American pit bull terrier-type dogs used in the majority of these fights have been specifically bred and trained for fighting and are unrelenting in their attempts to overcome their opponents. With their extremely powerful jaws, they are able to inflict severe bruising, deep puncture wounds, and broken bones.

Dogs used in these events often die of blood loss, shock, dehydration, exhaustion, or infection hours or even days after the fight. Other animals are often sacrificed as well; dogs who are born "cold," or won't fight, may be kept around to sic other dogs on.

In describing the details of one particular dogfight, a convicted dogfighter wrote, "Miss Rufus spent most of the rest of the fight on her back and Bandit broke her other front leg high up in the shoulder, as well as one of her back legs, in the knee joint. The only leg she didn’t break she chewed all to hell. She had literally scalped Miss Rufus, tearing a big chunk of skin off the top of her head alongside one ear." [1]

Are there other concerns?Yes. Numerous law enforcement raids have unearthed many disturbing facets of this illegal "sport." Young children are sometimes present at the events, which can promote insensitivity to animal suffering, enthusiasm for violence, and disrespect for the law. Illegal gambling is the norm at dogfights. Dog owners and spectators wager thousands of dollars on their favorites. Firearms and other weapons have been found at dogfights because of the large amounts of cash present. Dogfighting has also been connected to other kinds of violence—even homicide, according to newspaper reports. In addition, illegal drugs are often sold and used at dogfights.

Why should dogfighting be a felony offense?There are several compelling reasons. Because dogfighting yields such large profits for participants, the minor penalties associated with misdemeanor convictions are not a sufficient deterrent. Dogfighters merely absorb these fines as part of the cost of doing business. The cruelty inherent in dogfighting should be punished by more than a slap on the wrist. Dogfighting is not a spur-of-the-moment act; it is a premeditated and cruel practice.

Those involved in dogfighting go to extensive lengths to avoid detection by law enforcement, so investigations can be difficult, dangerous, and expensive. Law enforcement officials are more inclined to investigate dogfighting if it is a felony. As more states make dogfighting a felony offense, those remaining states with low penalties will become magnets for dogfighters.

Do some states already have felony laws?Yes. Dogfighting is a felony offense in all 50 states, and it is a felony offense under federal law as well.

Should being a spectator also be a felony?Yes. Spectators provide much of the profit associated with dogfighting. The money generated by admission fees and gambling helps keep this "sport" alive. Because dogfights are illegal and therefore not widely publicized, spectators do not merely happen upon a fight; they seek it out. They are willing participants who support a criminal activity through their paid admission and attendance.

What can I do to help stop dogfighting?Learn how to spot the signs of dogfighting. If you suspect dogfighting activity, alert your local law enforcement agency and urge officials to contact The HSUS for practical tools, advice and assistance. 

Post our dogfighting reward posters [PDF] in your community. For free posters, send us an email (include your name, address and the number of posters you'd like). Learn about our Pets for Life program and how to get involved in your community.

If you live in one of the states where being a spectator or other aspects of dogfighting is still a misdemeanor, please write to your state legislators and urge them to make it a felony.

---

 [1] Faron, Ed, and Chris Faron. The Complete Gamedog: a Guide to Breeding & Raising the American Pit Bull Terrier. Charlotte, NC: Walsworth Pub., 1995.

http://www.humanesociety.org/issues/dogfighting/facts/dogfighting_fact_sheet.html

Animal Cruelty Facts and Statistics

Statistics on the victims and current legislative trends

PreviousNext

• 
  Continuous chaining is illegal in some parts of the country, and is cruel everywhere. Chad Sisneros/The HSUS

The shocking number of cruelty cases reported daily in the media is only the tip of the iceberg.

Every year, The HSUS rescues thousands of animals from miserable situations. With your support, we could help even more.

Although there is no national reporting system for animal abuse, media reports suggest that it is common in rural and urban areas. Most cases are never reported, and most animal suffering goes unrecognized and unabated. Cruelty and neglect can also cross socio-economic boundaries.

Based on media reports, we can review animal cruelty in terms of:

• Most common victims
• Horses
• Livestock
• Domestic violence
• Legislative trends

Unless otherwise noted, the following statistics are compiled from pet-abuse.com.

Most Common Victims

In media-reported animal cruelty cases, dogs—and pit bull-type dogs, in particular—are the most common victims of animal cruelty. Of 1,880 cruelty cases* reported in the media in 2007:

64.5% (1,212) involved dogs

18% (337) involved cats

25% (470) involved other animals 

Reported abuse against pit bull-type dogs appears to be on the rise: in 2000–2001, pit bull-type dogs were involved in 13% of reported dog-abuse cases; in 2007, they were involved in 25% of reported dog-abuse cases.

*some cases involved multiple species

Horses 

According to the American Horse Council, Americans own more than 9 million horses, up from more than 6 million in the mid-1990s. Backyard breeding fueled the boom in pet horses. Of the more than 2 million Americans who own horses, more than one-third have a household income of less than $50,000. [1] 

Neither the total number of horse neglect cases nor the percentage of total animal abuse cases classified as horse neglect has risen since the closure of all U.S. horse slaughter plants.

Livestock

As HSUS investigations into slaughterhouses and cattle auctions have revealed, animal abuse abounds in the factory farm industry. Despite increased feed prices, we found no indication in the news media that the number of livestock neglect cases is increasing, other than a few shocking, high-profile cases. This may, however, simply be a reflection of the weak protections afforded to livestock under state animal cruelty laws.

Many states specifically exclude livestock or any "common" agricultural practices from their cruelty laws, and even when good laws exist, it can sometimes be difficult to convince law enforcement to make an arrest and/or to seize livestock who are being neglected or abused.

Over the past few years, the number of reported animal neglect cases involving cows and pigs has dipped slightly.

In 2007, there were 20 reported neglect cases involving cows and eight involving pigs, down from 33 cow neglect cases and 11 pig neglect cases in 2006, and 26 cow neglect cases and nine pig neglect cases in 2005.

Domestic Violence

Government data on domestic violence cases reveal a staggering number of animals are victimized by abusive partners each year. The HSUS estimates that nearly 1 million animals a year are abused or killed in connection with domestic violence.

About 2,168,000 women and men are physically assaulted by an intimate partner in the U.S. every year (U.S. Department of Justice, 2000).

63% of U.S. households own a pet (APPMA, 2006).

71% of domestic violence victims report that their abuser also targeted their animal (Ascione, 1997).

In 2007, 7% of media-reported animal cruelty cases either occured in the context of a domestic dispute or involved a person with a history of domestic violence.

Legislative Trends

50 states currently have felony provisions within their animal cruelty laws. 

Before 1986, only four states had felony animal cruelty laws: Massachusetts (1804), Oklahoma (1887), Rhode Island (1896), and Michigan (1931). 

Three states enacted felony laws in the 1980s, 19 in the 1990s, and 25 more since 2000 (including the District of Columbia).

First vs. Second Offense

Forty-three of the 50 state felony provisions are first-offense provisions.

Six have second-offense felonies (Iowa, Miss., Ohio, and Pa., have felony laws that apply only on the second offense; Tex. and Va. have second-offense felonies depending on the situation).

Idaho has a third-offense felony animal cruelty law.

Within the 43 states that have first-offense felony cruelty laws, several have a first-offense provision for aggravated cruelty, torture, companion animal cruelty, etc., in addition to a second-offense provision for cruelty to animals.

States Finding Second-Offense Laws Inadequate

In the last decade, at least 6 states have enacted second- or third-offense felony animal cruelty laws, only to readdress and upgrade them to first-offense laws within a few years: 

Alaska (3rd 2008, 1st 2010)

Indiana (2nd 1998, 1st 2002)

Kentucky (2nd 2003, 1st 2007)

Nebraska (2nd 2002, 1st 2003)

Tennessee (2nd 2001 and 2002, 1st 2004)

Virginia (2nd 1999, 1st 2002)

References

1. "Leaner Pastures: As Horses Multiply, Neglect Cases Rise," Wall Street Journal, Jan. 7, 2008, p.1.

http://www.humanesociety.org/issues/abuse_neglect/facts/animal_cruelty_facts_statistics.html

Facts About Pit Bull Cruelty

History of the Breed
In the Fighting Ring...
In the Shelters...
What Professionals Can Do

In recent years, pit bulls have gained more than just a foothold in public awareness. Unscrupulous breeding and negative media attention have resulted in many apartment complexes, neighborhoods and even counties imposing bans on pits and pit mixes, citing them as "inherently dangerous" to the public.

Pit bulls often attract the worst kind of dog owners — people who are only interested in these dogs for fighting or protection. While pit bulls were once considered especially non-aggressive to people, their reputation has changed, thanks to unscrupulous breeders and irresponsible owners. And because the pit bull population has increased so rapidly, shelters now struggle to deal with an overflow of image-plagued, hard-to-place dogs.

History of the Breed

Pit bulls are descendants of the original English bull-baiting dog — a dog that was bred to bite and hold bulls, bears and other large animals around the face and head. "Bulldogs" were bred to hang on without releasing their grip, until the animal was exhausted from fighting and from loss of blood. When baiting large animals was banned in the 1800s, people then started to fight their dogs against each other instead.

As the "sport" of dogfighting developed, enthusiasts bred a lighter, more athletic canine. These dogs made their way to North America, the ancestors of today's pit bulls. Pit bulls that were not used for fighting were considered ideal family pets — affectionate, loyal and gentle with children. Serious problems started when these dogs gained the attention of people looking for a macho dog — and to meet their demands, unscrupulous and uncaring breeders are producing puppies that were not only aggressive to other dogs, but also to people.

In the Fighting Ring...

Although a felony offense in all 50 states, organized dogfights still take place in many parts of the country. In some urban areas especially, dogfighters have formed a strong subculture. Dogs that fight are bred and conditioned to never give up when they are fighting, even if it means that they will be badly hurt or killed. Other animals are victims of dog fights, too — it's not uncommon for trainers to encourage their dogs' aggression by using other dogs and smaller animals such as cats, rabbits and rodents as bait.

While some might typify dogfighting as a symptom of urban decay, not every dogfighter is economically disadvantaged. Participants and promoters come from every community and all backgrounds, with audiences including lawyers, judges and teachers and other upstanding community leaders.

Unfortunately, a new element has been introduced to the world of dogfighting over the past two decades. Fights have become informal street corner and playground activities. Stripped of the rules and formality of the traditional pit fight, these spontaneous events are triggered by insults and turf invasions — or even the simple taunt, "My dog can kill your dog." Many people who participate in these fights lack even a semblance of respect for the animals, often starving and beating them to encourage aggressive behavior.

In the Shelters...

In March 2000, the ASPCA asked representative U.S. shelters about their experiences with pit bulls. Thirty-five percent of shelters take in at least one pit bull a day, and in one out of four shelters, pits and pit mixes make up more than 20 percent of the shelter dog population. New York, Chicago, Boston, Phoenix and Honolulu each saw 3,000 to 7,500 pits turned in during the previous year. One shelter staffer recounted hundreds of abuse cases that came through their doors — pit bulls that had been burned, beaten, starved, neglected and used for dogfighting.

According to the shelters surveyed in 2000, a third did not adopt pit bulls out — some because it is against the law to have these dogs in their communities, and others because of concern about where the dogs will ultimately end up. Sadly, in these cases, the dogs are euthanized.

What Professionals Can Do

• Visit the ASPCA Advocacy Center to keep up to date on dogfighting legislation and animal laws in your state.
• If your shelter is facing a pit bull dilemma, ask volunteers to:
  • Help keep adoptable pit bulls and pit mixes mentally and physically fit by exercising them.
  • Lead a chew-toy drive to collect hard rubber playthings to keep the dogs busy
  • Help create a fund-raiser to support a free sterilization program for pit bulls in your local community.
• Do your community's kids have questions about dogfighting? Suggest they visit our children's website,ASPCA Kids, for information about dogfighting that's written especially for kids.
• Visit Pit Bull Rescue Central for information on adopting and caring for American Pit Bull Terriers, American Staffordshire Terriers and pit bull mixes.

http://www.aspcapro.org/resource/disaster-cruelty-animal-cruelty-animal-fighting/facts-about-pit-bull-cruelty