FUN HOUSEWHOOOHOOO's blog: "PITBULL CRUELTY"

Breed-Specific Legislation "Legislation is due, laws are in order, and the situation is out of hand. Let's be sure of our focus. Laws are for humans, not for animals who have no say about the captive environment they must endure." -Rod Jones Banning Pit Bulls would be like banning cars because people get killed in car accidents! Who's responsible, the car or the driver/manufacturer? Any car can be deadly in the wrong hands or if built with defective parts. Same thing with dogs... Any dog. Pit Bulls are no more responsible for the way they are bred, raised and trained, than cars are responsible for the way they are designed, built and driven. Simply put, the best argument against breed bans is that they are costly and ineffective. Breed bans are often a knee-jerk reaction from politicians who want to say they are "doing something", after a highly publicized dog attack (of any breed). This is a useless exercise. Criminals habitually break laws, so having an "illegal breed" may indeed be attractive to them and might make them want to breed and sell more "illegal dogs". If their dog is confiscated and killed, they really don't care. They will just get another one because breed bans punish the dog, not the owner. On the other hand, law abiding responsible owners, whose dogs love people and have never done anything wrong, can see their homes invaded, often without a search warrant, and their beloved family members dragged away (in front of their children) to be killed. Not because the dogs are unstable or mean, but simply because of their breed. Meanwhile, the owners of truly dangerous dogs (of any breed) escape punishment because their breed is not targeted by legislation and therefor is believed "safe". A 10 Lbs Pomeranian killed a baby a few years ago... Obviously a problem with that particular dog, not the breed. "The baby's uncle left the infant and the dog on a bed while the uncle prepared her bottle in the kitchen. Upon his return, the dog was mauling the baby, who died shortly afterwards. ("Baby Girl Killed by Family Dog," Los Angeles Times, Monday, October 9, 2000, Home Edition, Metro Section, Page B-5.)" Because of a serious lack of regulation in dog breeding, too many dogs inherit defective genes and are sold to irresponsible owners. A breed ban will not resolve the problem. This nonsense will continue with the next macho breed and will become an endless race between breed specific legislators and unscrupulous breeders. A Pit Bull breeder was shut down last year because Pit Bulls were banned in Topeka, Kansas. All his dogs were seized and destroyed, just for being the wrong breed at the wrong place. The man now breeds and sells African Boerboels, a rare breed from the Mastiff family, completely unknown to legislators. Unlike American Pit Bull Terriers, however, who are known for their love of people, Boerboels are serious guard dogs bred specifically as protectors. An irresponsibly bred and owned Boerboel might actually be more dangerous than an irresponsibly bred and owned Pit Bull. This is what a breed ban has accomplished in Topeka... So in light of this, what kind of message are we telling abusive and irresponsible individuals when we make the dogs pay the price for their actions? Here are some things to consider: "Pit bull" is not a breed, but a "type" that encompasses several registered breeds and crossbreeds. Therefore, statistics that claim "Pit bulls" are responsible for some percentage of attacks are lumping many separate breeds together, then comparing that to other dogs that are counted as individual breeds. Breed identification is left up to victim and witness testimony, and is often wrong. Due to negative press, biting dogs of almost ANY breed have been called "Pit bulls". Try this little quiz for fun: Find the Pit Bull See how many people you know can pick out a pit bull from pictures, let alone in the middle of an attack. Search the Center for Disease Control site. Even the CDC supports the position that irresponsible owners, not breed, are the chief cause of dog bites. They have done studies that indicate that the most "dangerous breed" of dog changes with popularity and reputation. Search the American Temperament Test Society. Pit bulls have an average score that beats even the "ultimate family dog", the Golden Retriever. Positive pit bull press - This site shows not only what the breed is about, but the difference responsible ownership makes. Many of these pages are "Pit bull rescue makes good" stories. This site features, among other great stuff, rescue pits that are saving human lives in Search and Rescue and US Customs Service. The Diane Whipple case. One of the first times the owner has been held responsible for the actions of their dog. Note that the breed involved was the Perro de Presa Canario (Canary Dog) from Spain, yet the brunt of the negative press again targeted the pit bull, an all but unrelated breed. Clearly the message is lets stop targeting the dogs! Pit Bulls are no more dangerous than any other strong and large dog. They just happen to attract more irresponsible and abusive owners than any other breed... Ironically, by portraying them in a negative way, the media and breed legislators only make them irresistibly attractive to individuals with bad intentions. Do Pit Bull haters really think that after banning the breed all the criminals who use these dogs as weapons will own Basset Hounds? And if they did, how long do you think it would take before Basset Hounds start making the news? A breed ban will only remove Pit Bulls from the good people's homes and leave them in the hands of animal abusers who couldn't care less about the law... Better think twice before supporting such measure... Breed Ban IQ Test 1. If you were the sheriff in your town and you learned that Toyotas were disproportionally involved in more auto accidents than any other model, would you: (a) ban Toyotas and confiscate the Toyota of anyone caught driving one (b) arrest the drivers responsible for those accidents? 2. Which course of action in Question 1 do you think would: (a) inconvenience the fewest number of people? (b) be the more efficient use of taxpayer dollars? (c) be more effective in preventing future accidents involving Toyotas? 3. If your answer to Question 1 was (a) -- ban Toyotas -- and the sheriff's department learned that, by a statistical quirk, drivers of confiscated Toyotas were now perpetrating further accidents by driving, say, Hondas, would you then ban Hondas? If not, why not? 4. If your answer to Question 3 was, "Ban Hondas, too, dammit, something HAS to be done," then would you propose a ban on ALL car models with names ending in "a," such as Kias and Mazdas, reasoning that all these brands are pretty much made for the same purpose? If not, why not? If so, how would you deal with car brands that end in the SOUND of "a," such as Chevrolet? 5. Are you beginning to understand that: (a) because most of the tens of millions of pet dogs are NOT registered, "breed" cannot be defined in a meaningful way? (b) that miscreants employ pit bulls, German shepherds, Rottweilers, Dobermans, Akitas, Great Danes -- that is, whichever dog is handy -- as personal tools of terrorism? (c) that law enforcement authorities could waste inordinate amounts of time (and, therefore, taxpayer dollars) policing a breed ban, adding to their jobs a task perhaps even more meaningless than enforcing jaywalking laws? (d) that the people most likely affected by a breed ban -- that is, those inconvenienced, harrassed and likely to suffer damage -- are the 99.9% majority of utterly innocent dogs and people? (e) most important, that breed bans do ESSENTIALLY NOTHING to address the real problem: Human scumbags who abuse animals? Key: If your answer to any part of Question 5 is "no," I'm afraid you have flunked. Please go back and reconsider your responses. Hint: The answer to the question, "What shall we do about the bank robber who got away on a bicycle?" is not: Ban bicycles. Real answer: If your dog hurts someone, you -- not the dog -- should be responsible. Anti-cruelty and anti-dog-fighting laws already exist. Tell your mayor, and city or county or provincial council to up the current penalties, and insist that judges enforce those penalties against lawbreakers. -Test created by Paul Glassner, SF/SPCA Breed Bans BSL: A group of laws that bans particular breeds, usually pit bulls (a type of dog, not a breed) and sometimes Rottweilers, German Shepherds, Akitas, Dobermans, Chow Chows, and a few others. These laws are usually passed after several attacks by a particular breed so that city councils can assure citizens they are ?doing something? about a voter concern. But breed bans don't work. They target all dogs of a breed -- the innocent as well as the guilty; are difficult to enforce; and do not end the use of guardian dogs by criminals. If pit bulls in their various incarnations are banned, drug dealers and other felons switch to another breed or mix. In the meantime, the ill-tempered terrier mix that bites the hand that feeds it and the poorly-bred purebred that attacks the neighborhood children pose a far greater danger to people than the obedience-trained American Staffordshire Terrier that is a registered therapy dog but cannot step foot inside the city. Far better than breed-specific bans are strict laws to control aggressive dogs of any breed or mix. Known as generic vicious dog laws, they put restrictions on the ownership of dogs that pose a danger to people, restrictions such as confinement in locked, escape-proof kennels while outdoors on the owner's property; muzzles when the dog is off the property; and purchase of a liability insurance policy. Source: Dog owner's guide Related Links Dog Watch Dog Holocost Understand-a-bull Dog Bite Law Can dogs get a fair shake in court? Breed Bans: Is There Another Way? Aggression; Is Banning the solution? Together against breed specific Fighting Breed Specific Legislation Practicaltity of BSL Find the Pit Bull Facts & Statistics Important Fact: The ADBA registered 220,000 APBTs in 1999, making them the #1 dog in America. According to the latest statistics, Pit Bulls do NOT top the chart when it comes to deadly dog attacks. About Dog Bite Statistics The statistics on dog bite related fatalities vary considerably between studies. Nevertheless, there are numerous problems with most dog bite statistics. First and foremost, the vast majority of these statistics provide raw numbers, and are not normalized to reflect the prevalence of any given breed in the overall population of dogs. Without this information, it is impossible to determine the comparative risk of one breed over another from dog bite Dog Bite Reports Dog bite reports unchanged although fatal attacks by animals always seem to grab headlines. Authorities say the numbers of such incidents are not rising, according to a new study soon to be published in the The Journal of American Veterinary Medical Association in conjunction with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The new study of dog bites through 1997 shows that while overall numbers have remained nearly constant, the number of pit bull attacks have declined but the amount of Rottweiler attacks have climbed. There is an 8 out of 10 chance that a biting dog is male. (Humane Society of the United States.) There is a 6 out of 10 chance that a biting dog has not been neutered. (Humane Society of the United States.) No fatal dog attack involving an altered dog was ever reported. Although some beleive Pit bull mixes and Rottweillers are most likely to kill and seriously maim, fatal attacks since 1975 have been attributed to dogs from at least 30 breeds.

Glossary of Dog-Fighting Terms Understanding the codes and lingo used by dog-fighters is one of the most important ways you can begin to learn to spot dog-fight related correspondence in newspapers or online. If you need to do any kind of undercover work in a dog-fighting case whatsoever, it is imperative that you become comfortable with these terms - you will stick out like a sore thumb if you don't know what they mean, or if you use them incorrectly. And in dog-fighting situations, a blown cover can cost you your life. 'A' SECTION - the section of the Sporting Dog Journal that reports fights that were judged by officially recognized judges. Fights that are judged by unknown or unrecognized judges are reported in the 'B' Section of the Sporting Dog Journal, and are considered "suspect" as to their authenticity; however, fights are also relegated to the 'B' section because there is insufficient information reported, or the match occurred outside of North America ABILITY - a dog that has "mouth," stamina or "wind," and is dog-aggressive, or "game," is said to have "ability." AC - animal control officer ADBA - the American Dog Breeder's Association; an organization that, among other things, registers pit bulls AGDT - acronym for American Game Dog Times magazine BABESIA - serious, often fatal blood disease that is spread through bodily fluids BAD SIGN - a dog who refuses to "scratch," turns its head and shoulders away from an opponent, or fails to take "hold" is said to "show bad signs." BEST IN SHOW, BEST OF SHOW, BIS, BOS - a winning dog who performed best at a dogfighting convention BLOCKHEAD BULLDOGS - any pit bull that has a relatively large head or is over 50#; preferred chain weights for fighting dogs are nearly always in the 35-48 pound range, and larger dogs are frowned upon by dogfighters BLOODLINE - the well-known lineage of certain fighting dogs, stemming from famous fighting dogs of the past; commonly referenced bloodlines are Jeep, Redboy, Yellow, Termite. Jocko, Panther, Poncho, Rascal, Midnight Cowboy, Eli, Tombstone, Gator, Zebo, G's-Virgil, Homer, OS Virgil, Dirty Mary, Cholly Boy, Ajax, May Day, Smiley, Banjo, Deacon, Andy Capp, Homer,Tab, Werdo, Buck; in the Pittsburgh area, there are many references to Lukane, Sabien, Romeo-if the breeder of a dog is more famous that the dog's closest ancestors, the dog may be referenced as being from, for example, a "Tudor bloodline" or a "Carver bloodline" in honor of the breeder who introduced the breeding line into dogfighting BLUE PITS - these are pit bulls that come from "blue" lines, such as Razor's Edge dogs, Coutourier lines, etc.; they are generally dismissed by dogfighters as being "unfightable" because the dogfighters believe a dog from blue lines has too much American Staffordshire Terrier (or "AmStaff") in it to do any good in a fight. Owners of "blue pits" are frequently disparaged by dogfighters BOTTOM, BOTTOM HALF, ON THE BOTTOM (not the same thing as the "bottom dog") - the female side of a pedigree BOX - the fighting arena, or square, which can measure either 14'x14' or 16'x16' BREAKING STICK, PARTING STICK - an implement, usually about 8"-14" long, used to separate or "part" dogs whose teeth are "fanged" or who are not supposed to be fighting; in urban areas, a breaking (or 'parting' stick) is usually nothing more than an ax or hammer wooden hammer that has an end filed down to a dull edge; fancier break sticks are made of onyx or finely carved wood-the material is not relevant, as long as it can be used to pull dogs apart-the term is usually shortened to "break stick" BROOD BITCH - a female dog who comes from excellent game bloodlines, but who has shown little willingness to fight BRUCELLOSIS TEST - many dog owners require a dog to test negative for Brucellosis, a potentially fatal disease, before breeding their dog to another BULLDOGS - to doggers, pit bulls are either bulldogs or simply pits, the terms are interchangeable; they are almost never referred to a "pit bulls"; "Bulldogs" has absolutely nothing in common with American or English or French Bulldogs----bulldogs are what doggers call pit bulls, period. CAJUN RULES - a set of formal dogfighting rules in use for the past four decades, especially in the northern USA CALL A WEIGHT - this is the phrase dogfighters use to set up a fight; for example, a dogfighter in Iowa may post a message that says, "Open to the world, 32.5 F" which is an invitation to contract for a fight between female pit bulls at a weight of 32.5 pounds CAMPAIGN - dogs are "campaigned" by their owner kennels to get ROM status, or to go for Champion or Grand Champion status; this is done by choosing suitable dogs to fight against, improving a breed by offering a stud dog at private treaty, etc. CARPET MILL - a canine treadmill with a carpeted belt; used for exercising dogs during a "keep;" a carpet mill is considered more strenuous than a slat mill, but less strenuous than an electric mill, and is generally regarded as quieter than other types of mills-this is the reason that dogfighters in densely populated areas prefer carpet mills CATCH WEIGHT - dogs who are 52+ pounds fight at "catch weight" status, where the dogs' weights do not exactly match-category is limited only to dogs over 52 pounds-dogs at 52 pounds or under must fight at matching weights-this term is sometimes misused by dogfighters to mean "chain weight"-if it comes into more common usage, it will eventually change the meaning of the phrase- catch weight is used in some circles, particularly the American South, to describe dogs that weigh more than 59 pounds CHAIN WEIGHT - a dog's normal, unconditioned weight; i.e., "Taz is 42 on the chain" CHAMPION - a dog who has won three reported fights and has not lost a fight; all three fights must be judged by recognized judges CHOCOLATE NOSE - same as any other pit bull, with the exception that the dog displays a dark brown nose; this is caused by a recessive gene that manifests itself every 5 or 6 generations COLOR - when this term is used, it is usually being used by someone who is defending the choice of which dog he or she brought to a fight, as in "I never agreed to the color of the dog-the contract was for a female at 32 pounds, and that's what I brought," the term "color" is used as a short hand way of referring to a named dog who was not expected to fight but who is brought tto a fight; such as when everyone assumes that Dog XYZ is scheduled to fight, and the dogger brings Dog ABC to fight instead; see MATCH; it is sort of like a bait and switch, but is "legal" as long as the weight and sex of the dog are as contracted, unless the contract spells out exactly which dogs are to fight which dogs COMBINE - kennels can join together to purchase and condition and fight a dog; when this happens it is called the "such-and-such Combine" and has a name that is completely different from the names of the participating kennels, and the name chosen is sometimes geographical, such as "the Jersey Boyz" or "Motor City's Finest"; however, when two or more kennels join together in ownership of items other than a dog, such as buying treadmills and dog food and supplements together, they are kennel combines that are known as "partners" and they frequently campaign dogs together, as well as share conditioning responsibilities CONDITIONER - person who takes a dog through a training period known as a "keep". This "keep" is often in the area of approximately six weeks in length, however each conditioner has their own "formula" for what they consider to be the best keep. CONVENTION - a multi-card schedule of fights, a really big show with known doggers COURTESY, COURTESY SCRATCH - when a dog fights hard, but is losing and "picked up" by its owner or handler, the dog is given an opportunity after the "pick up" to go after its winning opponent one more time CROSS - a breeding designed to combine the best traits of two well-known bloodlines, such as a dog coming from a Red Boy/Jocko breeding CULL - the method by which doggers "improve the line" which means they kill dogs that aren't aggressive enough; they consider themselves benevolent for "culling hard" or killing all the dogs from a litter that show the slightest disinclination to fight; it is considered disgraceful to give the "curs" or non-fighters away instead of killing them CUR (CURR) -a dog from game lines that won't fight, or any dog that is not a pit bull CUR OUT (CURR OUT) - a dog that quits fighting CUTTERS - the four canine teeth; also HANGARS DANCE - the actual fight; also called the "show" or the "hunt", or simply, "in the box" or "in the square" DEAD GAME - a dog that dies in a fight is considered to have fought to the death, and is greatly admired by dogfighters, although, unless it is a very short fight, the owner who leaves his dog "in the box" when the dog is obviously suffering fatal wounds falls into disrepute in the dogfighting circles, while his "dead game" dog is praised DMSO (also DMO) - an acronym for a family of cortico-steroids that doggers believe will kill a dog if sprayed on a dog that has been "rubbed" (hey, they aren't chemists!) DOGGER - the term describing a person who participates in the sub-culture of dogfighting; ironically, the common term for a dogfighter was "dogman" ("dogmen", in the plural) until the late 1990's, when the entry of women into "the game" forced a politically correct change of name DON'T GO - when a dog refuses to scratch or take hold; i.e., gives up in anyway, the dog is reported in a fight report as "PEACHES don't go at 1:03", which means Peaches quit at the one hour, three minute mark DOWN DOG - the dog who is fighting on "the bottom" may or may not be the winning dog, however, if the dog on the ground makes a turn or fails to take hold, it will be deemed the "down dog" and it will be required to scratch first FANGED - it is very common during a fight for one dog's canine teeth to go through the flesh of its opponent and out the other side; with the dogs in constant motion, the dog whose teeth went through its opponents skin is then unable to free its teeth to continue the fight-the judge or the handlers then call for the use of a "break stick" to prod and slide the biting dog's teeth free FEDS - any law enforcement police or agency of any sort, local, state, county, federal, that prosecutes dogfighters-has absolutely nothing to do with the federal government FEED - this term usually is used when someone is criticizing the gameness of a dog, such as "I wouldn't feed a dog that _________" FEEDING - this usually does not refer to giving the dog food; when someone asks "what are you feeding?" they are asking you what bloodlines you have FLIRT POLE (also called a "spring pole") - an apparatus designed to teach a dog to bite and hold on; the principle is more important than the actual configuration of the equipment-it can be a leather strap hung over a tree limb dangling a piece of rawhide for a dog to jump up and grab and hold, or it can be a cage panel hung horizontally over a kennel area with meat on top of it-the purposed is simply for the dog to have to jump high and grab and hold-pit bulls are known for grabbing hold and hanging on for astonishingly long periods of time FORFEIT - the money that the dog owners give to a "promotor" to hold until the fight is over; the size of the forfeit usually is a good indicator of how much money is going to be bet on a fight; the forfeit can be as little as $100 (very rare) up to $50,000 or more (even rarer) FOUL - just about any violation of the Cajun Rules is called a foul; depending on the severity of the infraction, the fight may be forfeited GAME - used in two ways; the first, is to describe the sub-culture of dogfighting; the second is an adjective used to describe a dog that has a lot of dog aggression and a desire to win GAME TEST - a non-reported fight that is designed to pit a younger, unschooled dog against an older, experienced dog, to see if the young dog would make a good fighter GAME TESTED - a dog who has been "rubbed," "bumped," or "rolled," to see if it is willing to fight GAMEST IN SHOW - during a multi-card fight, one dog is declared to be the 'gamest in show' and it may not necessarily be a winning dog GRAND CHAMPION - a dog who has won five reported fights and lost none; many certifying organizations require that one of the fights be against a champion, and all judges must be officially recognized GYP - a female "game" dog who has not yet been bred; occaisonally misused to mean a young female dog, whether she has been bred or not and whether she is "game" or not HANDLE - (first common use) when a dog turns its head away from its opponent or fails to seize the opposing dog with its teeth, the judge calls a "handle" and the handlers return both dogs to their corners HANDLE - (second common use) the name doggers give their "kennel" HANDLER - the person in the dog's corner during a fight who is required to take control of the dog if a referree calls a "turn" or says the dogs are "out of hold: and is required to turn the dog to face the opponent and the dog when the order to "scratch" is called; no one but the dog's owner and/or handler is permitted to touch a dog during a fight-the handler is sometimes, but not always, a dog's owner HANGARS, HANGERS - the four canine teeth; fangs HANGING SCALE - a scale which measures up to 50 (sometimes, 60) pounds that dogfighters use to weigh the dogs, in conjunction with a test weight, prior to fights HARDWARE - a dog's teeth HEAD DOG - a dog who prefers to fight by biting the opponent dog's head and face HOG - a fighting dog HOLD - during a fight, a dog must continue to seize its opponent with its teeth, or a "turn" or "out of hold" will be called, necessitating a "handle" HUMANIAC - anyone who thinks dogfighting is cruel HUNT - to fight dogs, the most common euphemism for dogfighting JENNY, JENNIE, SPINNING JENNY, FLYING JENNY - a center pole outrigged with a horizonal bar with a chain or rope hanging from the bar with something attached that a dog will chase, such as a live rabbit, or raw meat-the dog is attached to the apparatus so that he or she can never chase down the bait, in fact, the dog is what is making it spin-this is the proverbial "carrot on a stick" JUDGE - the person in charge of timing the fight, calling turns and 'out of holds' and regulating the behavior of the human participants in the fighting arena KEEP - the six week period during which the dog is put through increasingly intense and prolonged physical training in preparation for a fight; some conditioners add a two week period in front of the keep (called a "pre-keep") in which they closely regulate the dogs' intake of food, water, drugs & supplements KENNELS - for some reason, dogfighters prefer to come up with a name for their enterprise that ends with the plural of "kennel"; i.e., Sidewinder Kennels, Misty Morn Kennels, etc. LEAK, LEAKER - an artery ruptured during a fight LEAVES - in written fight reports, a dog who "leaves at .33" is a dog who jumps out of the fight area (jumps the wall) at the 33 minute mark of the fight, and therefore loses the fight; -in spoken terms, the dog always "jumps the wall" but for some reason, the written accounts prefer "leaves" LEO - law enforcement officer of any sort LONG-WINDED - a dog who has a deep chest, such as dogs from the Chinaman line, is expected to be able to pace itself and have stamina in the longer matches MATCH, SHOW - the actual fight; to be considered a match or a show, forfeit money must be paid up front and there must be an agreement between the dogs' owners (the "contract) on roughly when and where the fight will be, and the weight the dogs will fight at; the dogs both must have been through a keep; historically, any conditioned dog of the right weight and sex (fights are gender-segregated-males only fight males, and females only fight females) can be brought to fight, but with the large financial stakes at many fights today, this loophole is closed, and the actual fighting dog must be specified in the contract MATCHNIGHT-a newer magazine dedicated to dogfighting MILL - a treadmill for dogs; it can be mechanized or motorized; a lightweight, quieter mill is called a "cat mill;" there are also "slat mills" which have a belt made of wooden slats, and "carpet mills" which obviously have belt areas lined with carpet MOUTH - not quite the normal definition of a mouth; a dog with "mouth" is a dog willing to take multiple deep holds on an opponent; certain lines are known for "mouth" such as dogs from Nigerino breedings, and their fights are typically short (it's rare for a true "mouth" dog to fight for an hour or more) because the damage inflicted on their opponents is devastating-however, long winded dogs can also tire a dog who is "all mouth" and those matches are a little longer-if the long-winded dog can somehow prevent serious injuries to itself, it will likely win a mouth/wind match NEWBIES - persons untrained in dogfighting, but who want to learn OFF THE CHAIN - a fight that takes place without the prerequisite keep period, and contract; off the chain fights do not qualify as "reportable matches" OFRN - Old Family Red Nose; a family of pit bull dogs brought from Ireland in the latter half of the 19th century, such as Colby, Lighter, Corvino lines ON FIRE - a dog who "starts" with great vigor PAPER HANGER - a breeder who falsifies his puppies' lineage to make sell them at a higher price than they would be worth without the false claims of parentage PERFORMANCE TITLE - a title earned by a fighting dog as a result of its fight record, such as Champion, or Grand Champion PICK UP - experienced dogfighters are supposed to know the axiom that a dog's condition "will go downhill 20%" after a fight, and they are supposed to pick it up before it is in immediate danger of death; near death is fine, but to actually lose a dog in a lengthy fight because you had too much money riding on it or were too proud is considered bad form for the owner; the dog that dies in a fight is called "dead game" and that is the highest honor dogfighters can bestow on a dog PIED - a pit bull with white and tan patches PIT BULL - what we call "pit bulls" are referred to as "bulldogs" by dogfighters POINTING - during the last week of the keep, the conditioner is supposed to acclimate, or "point," the dog, to the conditions expected at the fight; this is done by stepping down the creatine, increasing or decreasing water, getting the dog used to the environmental temperature he or she will fight in, exposing the dog to the noise of people talking and shouting, etc. POR - Producer of Record; a title created by the old Your Friend and Mine dogfighting magazine-instead of counting Champions and Grand Champions to achieve Register of Merit (ROM) status, the number of wins claimed by the offspring of a dog are counted in the Producer of Record category. PR - Purple Ribbon; a term used to describe conformation, as opposed to "game" pit bulls---just this year, the dogfighters began using "PR" to mean the well-fed and nicely kept house dogs that they show to the humane officers when a cruelty complaint is being investigated. I think the dogfighters began to think PR was for "public relations..." PRIVATE TREATY - male dogs offered for stud service, and females offered for breeding purposes, may be advertised as "open," meaning the dog's owner will accept all comers, or by "private treaty" meaning that a potential match will be examined for traits of an acceptable bloodline and the reputation of the dog's owner and the health of the dog, and, if all checks out acceptable, the breeding will take place only after a contract is in place (the private treaty)-usually dogs offered by private treaty come from highly regarded bloodlines or have good fight records PROPERLY SEPARATE - experienced doggers who see two dogs engaged in a "yard accident" and who are alone by themselves without a break stick will go behind the aggressor dog and lift its hind legs up and back towards the dogger, which causes the dog to stop fighting; if two doggers are handy when a "yard accident" breaks out, this is the preferred method of separating dogs, as there is always a danger of breaking a dog's teeth with a break stick PROSPECT -a young adult male (12-24 months) dog that is touted as a future good fighter REGISTRY - one of several organizations, such as ADBA, Fast Lane, Bona Fide Kennel Club (BFKC) that give pedigrees to pit bulls; the American Kennel Club will not register pit bulls, so these organizations "fill the void" RINGERS - an intravenous device known as a "lactate ringer" that a dogfighter sets up to infuse fluids and/or drugs into a dog before and after a fight ROADWORK - exercising a dog during a keep by hand-walking or hand-running the dog, or by attaching the dog's lead to the bumper of a vehicle and then driving the vehicle for several miles, with the dog forced to keep up or be dragged ROLL - a (relatively) brief fight designed to test the "gameness" of a dog; same as a "bump" ROM - Register of Record; the sire or dam of a Champion and Grand Champion gets points to be listed on the Register of Record RUB - an "illegal" use of a substance, usually put on a dog's fur, but can be combined with something like garlic and fed to a dog prior to a fight to inhibit the other dog from "taking hold" and, in some cases, to poison an opponent's dog RUN - another word for a treadmill, commonly used in more rural areas than in urban areas RUNNING HOT - a dog who fights hard at the beginning of a fight and does not pace itself is said to be "running hot," especially if the dog gets "winded" or is panting in or near the ten minute mark SCATTER BRED - a dog whose lineage is traced to multiple lines of dogs, many of which were not famous or noteworthy, nor deliberately bred from two "good" lines to make a "cross" SCHOOLING - a period of time when a dog, usually at least 18 months old, is permitted to very briefly fight with another dog who is a fighting veteran-these fights last only a few bites SCRATCH - when a dog is released, it must cross the first line that separates its corner (the scratch line) from the fighting arena and proceed to the center of the fighting area to engage its opponent dog; dogs in the northern United States where the Cajun Rules are loosely followed are typcially given 10 seconds to cross the scratch line and engage its opponent SCRATCH LINE - the line separating the dog's "corner" from the rest of the righting arena; in the north, the scratch lines are typically marked off 14 feet apart with tape SCREAMER - a dog who can't wait to fight, and who starts off trying to immediately kill its opponent SET UP - an area owned by a kennel that is devoted to kenneling and training dogs SHADOW KENNEL - many kennels have PR dogs that participate in weight pulls and conformations as a cover to the true purpose of their kennels, which is dogfighting. The illusory "PR" kennel is known as a "shadow kennel" because it is hidden behind the "legitimate" activities of the few dogs that the kennels place in weight pulling and conformation contests; the game dogs are segregated from a shadow kennels' "PR" dogs, which are placed front and center when Humane Officers call-shadow kennels sometimes operate under one name, and the dogfighting part of the kennel is known by another SHOW - the actual fight; a show can have more than one card (or fight) scheduled, but if it is a truly large event with known doggers, it is called a "convention" SPORTING DOG JOURNAL - the "official" chronicler of dogfights, raided by the Pennsylvania and New York State Police on April 23, 2003 (as of the date of writing this dictionary, April 30, 2003, the doggers nationwide are lamenting the "death of the game" due to the raid "on the Journal" or, as it is affectionately known by doggers, the "SDJ" SQUARE - the fighting arena, (the 'pit') often abbreviated as "[ ]" in written form STARTING, STARTED -when a dog reaches the age of 18 months, it may be "schooled" and then "bumped" or "rolled" before it begins a conditioning program, or "keep" in preparation for its first fight; this preparatory period is known as "starting a dog" STIFLE DOG - a dog that prefers to bite its opponent on the muscular part of the rear thigh STREET - older dogfighters lament the insurgence of gangs and "tuffs" into the game by saying, "there's too much street in the game" and "I won't sell to the street" etc. SWIVEL - a metal ring and chain that goes deeply into the ground and is the preferred method of chaining pit bulls on a "yard" TEST WEIGHTS - pre-certified 25 pound and 50 pound weights that are placed on a hanging scale prior to a fight to ensure that the hanging scale is properly measuring dog weights TOP, TOP HALF, ON THE TOP - the male side of the pedigree TREADMILL - see MILL TURN - during a fight, a dog that turns its head and shoulders away from its opponent while it is not biting is said to have made a "turn" and a "handle" is then called so that the handlers approach the dogs and reposition them in the pit corners, much as boxer trainers take care of boxers between rounds TURN ON - the point at which a puppy matures into adulthood when it begins to naturally show dog aggression TURNTABLE - a circular platform that rotates against the dog to keep it running and exercising; currently our of favor among dogfighters because there is no way to adjust resistance UKC - United Kennel Club; the British equivalent of the AKC; pit bulls are permitted to register with the UKC UNTOUCHED - a prospect or a gyp who hasn't been started or even rolled UPHILL - a term used to describe a fight against a dog that weighs more; such as, "Homer went uphill 3 pounds against Tigger." VACATION - incarceration WASH - the washing of a dog immediately prior to a match; the handler of the opposing dog washes your dog and vice versa; this is done to ensure that no one is using a "rub" WRECKER - a dog that begins a fight ferociously and inflicts a great deal of harm in a very short amount of time YARD - the entire dog inventory of a kennel; this may or not be an actual yard, as we think of it-all the dogs can be housed indoors, and the kennel dog inventory is still called a "yard" YARDBOY - someone who works for a kennel, cleaning up after the dogs and feeding them and giving them fresh water, but who is not considered a "dogger" and usually is only invited to a show, if at all, as a spectator YOUR FRIEND AND MINE, YF&M - an "on again"-"off again" dogfighting publication; as of April, 2003, it has been defunct for some time YOURS IN SPORT, YIS - the tag dogfighters sign their messages with so that they can recognize each other; in 2002 and 2003, there has been a trend to shorten this to "in the (or 'da') []"

To report websites that display acts of cruelty to animals, please contact the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Department of Justice. The Internet delivers an astounding array of images and ideas into homes across the world. But not all of these images are particularly animal-friendly. In fact, some of what is being sold and shown online crosses into the realm of criminal activity. And in some cases, there are laws against showing and selling these images. The Federal Government's "Crush Act" provides punishment, ranging in severity from a fine to five years in prison, for the display of acts of cruelty and sexual abuse intended for interstate commerce. "Crush" videos generally depict a woman, often in stiletto heels, stepping on small animals, typically rodents and kittens. This statute, however, is only applicable to websites and videos in which actual abuse has been verified, and even more specifically, to sites and manufacturers that intend to sell the images across state lines (this includes via the Internet). A website such as Bonsaikitten.com, which offers "rectilinear kittens" (computer-generated depictions of kittens stuffed into glass jars) for sale, but provides no payment options or prices, is not prosecutable under the Crush Act because actual abuse does not take place. Hoaxes and parodies like Bonsaikitten.com, no matter how offensive, are exempt. In November 2004, the ASPCA expressed outrage at a Texas man’s plan to allow the hunting of exotic animals on his ranch via the Internet. Users anywhere in the world would be able to log on to his website, pay a fee and, with the click of a mouse, aim and fire a weapon to kill an animal. Since then, legislation that bans Internet hunting has been passed in several states. More recently, the Computer-Assisted Remote Hunting Act was introduced on a federal level in the U.S. House of Representatives. To find out more about this legislation, please visit the ASPCA Advocacy Center. Not every state has addressed two other controversial, forms of animal abuse: bestiality and zoophilia. Bestiality is defined as a class A misdemeanor under Missouri's statute, but the "Show Me" state is one of 29 U.S. states that have laws to address animal sexual abuse. All of these states list animal sexual abuse as a misdemeanor, although five also stipulate conditions under which it can be classified as a felony; in those cases the felony appears in tandem with the misdemeanor. The remaining 21 states have not addressed animal sexual abuse at all, leaving residents free to engage in sexual relations with animals without fear of repercussions. Zoophiles, individuals who develop romantic emotional attachments to animals, seem to have adopted a new approach to their legal problems. In an effort to make the matter a religious one, organizations such as the "First Church of Zoophilia" operate websites that offer membership and eternal salvation to those who venerate their "sacred animals." The site's administrator, listed only as "Pastor Lykaon," likens modern zoophiles to persecuted religious minorities who have been denied their constitutional right to freedom of religion. Such was the case with the late Mark Matthews, a Carl Junction, MO, resident who displayed his affection for his "wife," Pixel, on British television by making passionate love to her and admitting that he would like to father her children. Pixel is a horse. Missouri had no statutes at the time to prevent such activity, which enabled Matthews to share a trailer with his beloved equine. The state's bestiality law went into effect on August 28, 2002. According the First Church of Zoophilia, Matthews was entitled to his animal proclivities under the constitution. "The First Church of Zoophilia actually has nothing to do with religion," says Cori Menkin, Esq., ASPCA Program Counsel. "The members of the First Church of Zoophilia are most likely from a variety of different religions, ranging from Judaism to Catholicism." Because these religious beliefs do not need to be sacrificed to join the First Church of Zoophilia, it does not fall under the category of a legitimate religion. The courts have already determined that sexual practices do not equate to religious belief, notably in the case of polygamy. Although some polygamists have attempted to argue for freedom-of-religion protection under the Constitution, the courts have maintained that such arguments are invalid. "Zoophilia is no more a religion than polygamy," adds Menkin. Although zoophilia and polygamy are each socially unaccepted practices, proponents of both have yet to convince the courts of their religious implications. "While there may be other constitutional implications, freedom of religion is not one of them," Menkin reports.

Animal cruelty is not only wrong—it is against the law in every state in this country! Animal abuse can also be part of a pattern of other violent acts within families and society. Abuse of any kind should be reported to the appropriate authorities immediately. WHERE DO I REPORT ANIMAL CRUELTY? In NYC: Cruelty situations involving animals in New York City should be reported to the ASPCA’s Humane Law Enforcement department at (212) 876-7700, ext. 4450, or humanel@aspca.org. Outside NYC: You will need to find out the name of the persons in your area who are responsible for investigating and enforcing the anti-cruelty codes in your town, county and/or state. These people typically work for your local humane organization, animal control agency, taxpayer-funded animal shelter or police precinct. To find out what agencies are authorized to investigate and arrest instances of animal cruelty in your state (i.e, does the enforcement of animal cruelty laws fall under the authority of the police department or animal control officers?), visit our state-by-state list of state anti-cruelty investigatory-arrest powers. If you run into trouble finding the correct agency to contact, you may wish to call or visit your local police department and ask for their help in enforcing the law. Similarly, you can ask at your local shelter or animal control agency for help. To find contact information for your local shelter, check the yellow pages or visit the ASPCA’s searchable database of nearly 5,000 community SPCAs, humane societies and animal control organizations. TIPS FOR REPORTING ANIMAL CRUELTY Once you have found out which law enforcement agent you should speak to, it’s important to provide him or her with a concise, written, factual statement of what you observed, giving dates and approximate times whenever possible. If at all feasible, try to photograph the abusive situation and date your pictures. It would also be helpful to get short, factual written statements from other witnesses. When you call to report animal cruelty, always make sure to keep a careful record of exactly whom you contact, the date of the contacts and the content and outcome of your discussion. Never give away a document without making a copy for your file! Make it clear to the agent that you are very interested in pursuing the case, and that you are willing to lend whatever assistance you can. FOLLOW UP IF NECESSARY If you don’t receive a response from the officer assigned to your case within a reasonable length of time, don’t be afraid to present your information to his or her supervisor and, if necessary, to local government officials, such as the county commissioner, and ask them to act. If you have witnessed the cruel act yourself, you can go to your local police commissioner and ask to swear out a warrant to summon the accused person to court. Remember that expert witnesses are sometimes necessary in animal cruelty cases. A veterinarian, for example, can sign a statement that it is his or her “expert opinion” that a dog suffers when hit with a chain, is deprived of food, etc. Expert opinions will very often make or break a case, so if you happen to know a sympathetic veterinarian, you may wish to seek his or her assistance and tell the officer that you have expert support lined up for your case. ANIMAL CRUELTY ON TV AND FILM The ASPCA shares your concern about the media’s depiction of violence and cruelty towards animals for entertainment purposes. Please know, however, that many of these instances are constitutionally protected free speech—and may not even involve a real animal. If you are offended by something you viewed, we suggest that you contact the network that aired the program or the publisher of the film in question. You may also wish to contact the American Humane Association Movie and Television Unit online or at (818) 501-0123. This unit oversees the use of live animals in movies and television as part of an agreement with the Screen Directors Guild. WEBSITES THAT DEPICT ANIMAL CRUELTY The Internet delivers an astounding array of images and ideas into homes across the world. But not all of these images are particularly animal-friendly. In fact, some of what is being sold and shown online crosses into the realm of criminal activity. And in some cases, there are laws against showing and selling these images. To report websites that display acts of cruelty to animals, please contact the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Department of Justice.

1. Do Not Buy Your Puppy From a Pet Store That puppy who charmed you through the pet shop window has most likely come from a large-scale, substandard commercial breeding facility, commonly known as a puppy mill. In these facilities, parent dogs are caged and bred as often as possible, and give birth to puppies who could have costly medical problems you might not become aware of until after you bring your new pet home. 2. Make Adoption Your First Option If you’re looking to make a puppy part of your family, check your local shelters first. Not only will you be saving a life, but you will ensure that your money is not going to support a puppy mill. There are many dogs waiting for homes in shelters all across the country¯and an estimated one in four is a purebred! Your second option is breed rescue. If your heart is set on a specific breed you haven’t been able to find in a shelter, you can do an Internet search for a breed-specific rescue organization. 3. Know How to Recognize a Responsible Breeder If you’ve exhausted your options for adopting and are choosing to buy from a breeder, remember that responsible breeders have their dogs’ interests in mind. They are not simply interested in making a sale, but in placing their pups in good homes. A responsible breeder should screen you as thoroughly as you screen them! Read the ASPCA’s responsible breeding statement to find out more about how a responsible breeder behaves. 4. See Where Your Puppy Was Born and Bred One sign that you are speaking to an unscrupulous breeder is that they will not let you see the facility in which your puppy was born. Always ask to see the breeding premises and to meet both parents (or at least the mother) of the puppy you want to take home. You should also ask for an adoption contract that explains¯in terms you understand¯the breeder’s responsibilities, health guarantee and return policy. 5. Internet Buyers, Beware! Buying a puppy from the Internet is as risky as buying from a pet store. If you buy a puppy based on a picture and a phone call, you have no way of seeing the puppy’s breeding premises or meeting his parents. And those who sell animals on the Internet are not held to the Animal Welfare Act regulations¯and so are not inspected by the USDA. 6. Share Your Puppy Mill Story with the ASPCA If you have—or think you have—purchased a puppy-mill puppy, please tell us your story. Every bit of evidence gives us more power to get legislation passed that will ban puppy mills. 7. Speak Out! Inform your state and federal legislators that you are disturbed by the inhumane treatment of dogs in puppy mills, and would like to see legislation passed that ensures that all animals bred to be pets are raised in healthy conditions. You can keep up-to-date about current legislation to ban puppy mills by joining the ASPCA Advocacy Brigade. 8. Tell Your Friends If someone you know is planning on buying a puppy, please direct them to our puppy mill information at ASPCA.org. Let them know that there are perfectly healthy dogs in shelters waiting to be adopted. 9. Think Globally Have a webpage, a MySpace page or a blog? Use these powerful tools to inform people about puppy mill cruelty by adding a link to our puppy mill information at ASPCA.org. 10. Act Locally! When people are looking to buy or adopt a pet, they will often ask the advice of their veterinarian, groomer or pet supply store. Download and print our flyers and ask to leave them in the offices of your local practitioners

Dog Fighting GAME DOGS For more than a century, humans have trained dogs to give their all in staged fights. Why are animal welfare advocates no closer to ending this brutal sport? The crowd's roar dulled to a hum as the next two fighters appeared. The previous match had been short, as one contestant quickly outmatched his opponent, mauling him badly and tearing off an ear. But this final fight matched two highly respected and feared combatants. They eyed each other warily as their handlers finished corner preparations. Spectators came to the edge of their seats, and fathers lifted children to their shoulders for a better view as the judge stepped to the center, called the dogs to their scratch lines and yelled, "Let 'em go!" A cheer arose as the dogs charged across the pit and violently slammed into each other, teeth flashing as they sought a vulnerable target. The dogs came apart once, when the brindle appeared to give up, and turned for a moment. They were returned to their scratch lines and held. Both dogs were breathing hard and bleeding. "Let 'em go," the judge called again. If the brindle failed to attack now, he would lose. But he was a game dog, and responded to an instinct bred into him over generations and nurtured through training. As the brindle charged across his line, his opponent's handler released him with the encouragement, "Finish him, Bo." Tired and weakened by his wounds, the brindle was slow to meet Bo's ferocious attacks. Bo grabbed the brindle's right front leg in powerful jaws, bit and twisted. The "snap" of breaking bone was heard as the brindle was flipped onto his back, while Bo sought a better grip on his opponent’s throat. Remarkably, as the judge ordered the handlers to break the dogs, the brindle tried to crawl after Bo, still intent on fighting. His handler gently wrapped him in a blanket, saying, "No more, boy. It's over." THE DOGS This fight could have occurred in any state, in a barn or a city warehouse. The participants could have been Caucasian, African American or Hispanic, and the year could have been 1897 or 1997. Since the 1800's, dog fighting has attracted the attention and admiration of royalty, politicians, doctors, farmers and police officers, as well as the wrath of animal protectionists, who have fought hard to end it. Yet achieving a better understanding of the sport, rather than simply condemning it, must precede any real effort at wiping it out. The development of the modern sport as practiced in Europe, North and South America can be clearly traced to 1835, when bull-baiting was banned in England. After the ban, the owners of "bulldogs"—used up until then to bait bulls, bears and other animals—turned to staging fights between their dogs to satisfy their blood lust. The largest, heaviest bull dogs were soon crossed with smaller, quicker terriers to produce the "bull terriers" who became the fountainhead of today's prominent fighting breeds. Staffordshire Bull Terriers, American Staffordshire Terriers and Pit Bull Terriers all hail from this ancestry. Commonly, dogs who fall into this broad class are identified as pit bulls. It is important to understand that not just any dog can be trained to fight. Much like herding dogs, trailing dogs and other breeds selected for particular roles, fighting dogs are born ready for the training that will prepare them to succeed in the pit. Staged fights are not the same as the flare-ups seen in dog runs or sometimes among dogs in the same home. Much like the fights among their wolf ancestors, most fights among dogs end quickly, with one individual submitting to the other. The winner typically accepts the submission signal of rolling over, and ends the encounter with no further violence. Subsequent encounters between these two individuals frequently involve no more than a highly stylized ballet of positions and expressions that reconfirm their relationship. To breed successful fighting dogs, this aspect of their behavior had to be eliminated. Fighting dogs will continue to attack, regardless of the submission signals of an opponent. Similarly, these dogs will continue to fight even though badly injured. Gameness—a dog's willingness or desire to fight—is the most admired trait in fighting dogs. Great attention is paid to sires and dams who are game, and more importantly, are able to pass this quality on to their progeny. In fact, the owner of a grand champion—a dog who has won five contests—can sell the dog's pups for at least $1,500 apiece. The serious dog fighter is as familiar with the bloodlines of dogs as any thoroughbred aficionado is of Triple Crown contenders. With the high level of aggression that pit bulls may show toward other dogs, it seems a contradiction that they also are described as loyal and gentle companion animals. Pit bulls have appeared as characters in television and film, including Petey of Our Gang. However, these seemingly conflicting characteristics are hallmarks of a well bred-fighting dog. Before each fight, the dogs are washed, frequently by the other dog's handler to ensure that no foreign substances have been placed on the animal to inhibit an opponent from biting and holding. During fights, dogs are in the pit with handlers and the judge, and they are handled during training, feeding and breeding. Unfortunately, an increased level of human-oriented aggression outside the ring is being documented as individuals outside the traditional dog fight culture acquire and breed pit bulls for protection or as a threat. Poor training and poor breeding are increasing. THE PEOPLE Through the years, interest in the sport by professionals and the upper classes has been viewed as a tawdry but acceptable pastime—if one didn't advertise it in public. Among the working classes, especially in rural areas, dog fighting was a grand family event. Large conventions—as gatherings with multiple scheduled fights are called—might include a barbecue, music, games for the children and parking security provided by the local sheriff. This good-natured patina is stripped away quickly in conversation with undercover cruelty investigators. Constantly on guard for their safety, these investigators describe an environment of casual cruelty and easy violence. Defeated dogs are killed and dumped; stolen dogs and cats are used to train fighters and give them their first taste of blood. Suspicious of strangers, handlers make no secret of the treatment they reserve for informants. Yet participants and owners do not consider the sport a brutal one. Successful raids on dog fighting rings typically net a cross section of felons and others with prior arrests for a variety of offenses ranging from murder and assault to drug possession. "Dog fighters represent a range of personality types and psychological disorders," says Stephanie LaFarge, Ph.D., Senior Director, ASPCA Counseling Services. Like anyone, they are molded by their environment and begin to develop a system of values early. "School life offers them little fulfillment and humiliates them into doing socially unacceptable things in an environment where beating the system is the goal." Many people who are involved in dog fighting have incredible, marketable skills. They are able to calculate nutritional requirements, use medical equipment with the patience and competence of a master surgeon, and prepare a dog with the skill of an accomplished dog trainer. It seems amazing that all too often, this is the same person who has dropped out of school and is unable to meet academic requirements. Take Doc for example, so called because of his knowledge of veterinary medicine. Doc is 15 years old, and people bring their dogs to him after a fight. For a fee, he will dock a dog's ears, neuter him and heal his wounds. Where has society failed Doc? Why is he on the street stitching up fighting dogs rather than focusing on his studies and his future? He will tell you that he makes a lot of money and has earned the respect of his peers. Would he have felt the same level of accomplishment if he followed society's accepted path? "Self esteem is an important issue with this population," adds Officer Mark MacDonald, ASPCA Humane Law Enforcement special investigator. "Fighting gives them the respect and power that they do not have in other areas of their lives." "Many fighters come from non-responsive homes and communities with limited social or economic opportunity," he says. "They never acquire the tools to excel. With dog fighting, they are accepted, especially if they have a winning dog. Well known and respected in their circle, they are emulated by others. They gain a tremendous satisfaction and positive reinforcement from their new 'friends.' And because of their commitment to the care and training of their dog, their dog is a winner, and so are they." Some fighters liken dog fighting to boxing, with the owner as coach and the dog as prize fighter. The owner trains and conditions the dog, pushing him to his limits and thereby providing him with the tools to win, just like a coach would train a boxer. While some might typify dog fighting as a symptom of urban decay, not every dog fighter is economically disadvantaged. There are people who promote or participate in dog fighting from every community and background. Licensed veterinarians are often well paid to provide care for dogs at fights. Audiences contain lawyers, judges and teachers drawn in by the excitement and thrill. To them, dog fighting is not brutal, it is an art. It's about the ultimate human-animal bond, and they are willing to break the law to participate. Taking the life of another living creature in a fight is the ultimate gift a dog can give them. NEW BLOOD A new element has been added to the organized world of dog fighting over the past 15 to 20 years, much to the dismay of "traditional" fighters. More frequently, dog fights are informal, street corner and playground activities. Stripped of the rules and formality of the traditional pit fight, these are spontaneous events triggered by insults, turf invasions or the simple taunt, "My dog can kill yours." Many of these participants lack even a semblance of respect for the animals, forcing them to train wearing heavy chains to build stamina and picking street fights in which they could get seriously hurt. And many of the dogs are bred to be a threat not only to other dogs, but to people as well—with tragic consequences. Professional fighters and dedicated hobbyists decry the techniques and results of these newcomers to the "sport." Humane societies and law enforcement officials have been fighting long and hard to put an end to dog fighting, but even after raids, arrests and jail time, people who fight are back in the ring. The humane movement needs to step back and take a better look at the social structure of dog fighting. It will be necessary to replace the self-esteem it provides its participants with other means for positive, life-affirming opportunities. To do this, experts in gangs, drug abuse, poverty, education and psychology, as well as law enforcement, are needed to understand and combat dog fighting at each level. Preventing today's youthful spectators from becoming tomorrow's dog fighters is the challenge the humane community faces for the future. This article was written by Julie Bank, former director of ASPCA Humane Education, and Stephen Zawistowski, Ph.D., Senior Vice President, ASPCA National Programs Office. ASPCA Animal Watch—Fall 1997 Copyright © 1997 ASPCA. All Rights Reserved

Pit Bull Cruelty In recent years, pit bulls have gained more than just a foothold in the public awareness. Unscrupulous breeding and negative media attention have resulted in many apartment complexes, neighborhoods and even counties imposing bans on the breed, citing them as "inherently dangerous" to the public. But did you know that pit bulls, despite the fact that they were originally bred to fight with each other, were also bred to be trustworthy and friendly to people? These dogs actually earned the nickname "nursemaid's dog," because they were so reliable with young children. Today, however, the breed often attracts the worst kind of dog owners--those who are only interested in them for fighting or protection. It's a shame what has happened to this loyal and affectionate breed-but as the pit bull population has increased so rapidly, shelters are now struggling to deal with an overflow of image-plagued, hard-to-place dogs. And despite its illegality, people are still training and breeding pit bulls to participate in dog fights in cities and towns across the country. History of the Breed Pit bulls are descendants of the original English bull-baiting dog-dogs who were bred to attack bulls, bears and other large animals around the face and head. They were taught to hang on without releasing their grip, until they were exhausted from fighting and from loss of blood. Although animal baiting was banned in the 1800s, people decided to try fighting 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. The 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 are not only aggressive to other dogs, but to people, too. In the Fighting Ring... Although illegal in all 50 states, organized dog fights still secretly take place in many parts of the country. In some urban areas especially, dog fighters have formed a strong subculture. Dogs who fight are conditioned to never give up when they are fighting, even if it means that they will be badly hurt or even killed. Other species are victims of dog fights, too-it's not uncommon for trainers to teach their dogs to fight using smaller animals such as cats and rabbits as bait. While some might typify dog fighting as a symptom of urban decay, not every dog fighter is economically disadvantaged. Participants and promoters come from every community and background. Licensed veterinarians are often well paid to care for dogs at fights, and audiences may include lawyers, judges and teachers. Unfortunately, a new element has been introduced to the world of dog fighting in 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 of these participants lack even a semblance of respect for the animals, forcing them to train wearing heavy chains and picking street fights in which the dogs could get seriously hurt. At the Shelters... In March 2000, the ASPCA asked representative U.S. shelters about their experiences with pit bulls. Thirty-five percent 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 who had been burned, beaten, and fought with. According to the shelters surveyed, a third do not adopt pit bulls out-some because it is against the law to have them in their communities, and others are concerned where the dogs will ultimately end up. Sadly, in these cases, the dogs are euthanized. Thinking About Adopting a Pit Bull? - Aggression to other dogs is a serious issue with this breed. Early socialization is essential for pit puppies, though your best efforts may not override a dog's genetics. Regardless of early experience, some pits will become dog-aggressive when they reach maturity. A pit bull who doesn't like other dogs cannot be let loose in dog runs or other public places. Some are also dangerous around cats, so please choose carefully if you have other pets. - Due to their strength and exuberance, pit bulls are best placed with families with older children. - Pit bulls are enthusiastic learners. They enjoy trick training and many graduate at the head of their obedience classes. - As a pit bull owner, you are likely to experience breed discrimination. Legislation may prohibit you from living in certain communities, and homeowners insurance will be harder to find. Before you adopt, call your local City Hall or animal shelter to find out about your local laws. - Hardy, tenacious dogs, pits are moderately active indoors and extremely active outdoors. Be prepared to spend a minimum of 20 to 30 minutes twice a day engaged in aerobic-level activities with your dog. This information has been compiled from a variety of ASPCA resources, including "The Pit Pendulum" by Jacque Lynn Schultz, which appeared in ASPCA Animal Watch magazine, Fall 2000, and "Game Dogs" by Julie Bank and Stephen Zawistowski, Ph.D., which appeared in ASPCA Animal Watch, Fall 1997. - Print this Page - Bookmark - Email to a Friend - Add to Del.icio.us Report Animal Cruelty State Anti-Cruelty Investigatory-Arrest Powers Animal Precinct Protect Your Pet 10 Ways to Prevent Cruelty Cruelty Glossary Kids and Cruelty Puppy Mills Circus Cruelty Dog Fighting Online Cruelty Cockfighting Pit Bulls Trap-Neuter-Return Online Training for Law Enforcement Professionals ASPCA Position The ASPCA opposes laws that ban specific breeds of dogs or that discriminate against particular breeds. Learn More: ASPCA Position Statement on Breed-Specific BansWhat You Can Do - Although dog fighting is illegal in all 50 states and carries a felony charge in most, there are still a few states in which it is not taken as seriously. If you live in a state where dog fighting is a misdemeanor, write to your legislators and ask them to make this crime a felony. Visit the ASPCA Advocacy Center to find out what the penalty for dog fighting is in your state and how to contact your legislators. - Adopt a pit bull and let your perfect pooch be an ambassador for the breed! Be sure to read our pit bull adoption tips before you start your search. - 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 rawhides or 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 shelter. - Do your kids have questions about dog fighting? Visit our children's website, ASPCA Animaland, for information about dog fighting that's written especially for kids. - For more on dog fighting, read the ASPCA-authored article, "Game Dogs." - 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.BADRAP.ORG