Organizations Working to End Dog Fighting
Organizations Working to End Dog Fighting
Dog fighting is a type of blood sport where dogs are cruelly forced to fight one another for money and profit. Dog fighting is illegal across the U.S. and is a felony offense in all 50 U.S. states. It is a felony offense under federal law as well. Plus, it is a felony to have possession of a dog(s) for the purpose of dog fighting, and it is a felony to bring a minor to a dog fight. As a result, dog fighting has been driven underground in certain communities. Animal fighting has been illegal in the U.S. since 1867 due to its abhorrent cruelty, but despite this, dog fighting is still prevalent in certain parts of the U.S., particularly in states with weaker penalties for dog fighting and animal cruelty, and especially in Southern states. Dog fighting could even happen in your own neighborhood, but the public can make the difference and help to stop it by reporting it. So it is extremely important to understand the signs of dog fighting and how to report it. Here’s how to report dog fighting.
Animal Legal & Historical Center, Michigan State University – An in-depth article on the insidious crime of dog fighting, including information for investigators and prosecutors. The discussion focuses on the history, sociology and effects on communities due to dog fighting. Further included is a discussion of the relevant legal issues raised in prosecuting dogfighting offenders.
Anti-DogFighting Worldwide Organization – The Anti-DogFighting Campaign is an organization that investigates, promotes awareness, and fights to end dog fighting worldwide. It is made up of advocates and investigators worldwide who devote their time to combating the issues of dog fighting worldwide. They partner closely with many of the other major animal welfare organizations worldwide along with local police departments, local animal control officers, and anti-dogfighting task forces to end this crime. If you suspect dog fighting, please call the tip lines on the website, “private message” the Anti-DogFighting Campaign staff on their Community page, or email them for help. They will respond wherever the location. All information provided is confidential. Email them at [email protected] or [email protected]. Call (248) 820-0532.
ASPCA – The ASPCA is active in fighting against dog fighting and is working to end it. Visit their page on how to spot the signs of dogfighting, A closer look at dogfighting, and What you can do to stop it. Be sure to support the federal legislation called Help Extract Animals from Red Tape, the HEART ACT, to help seize dogs so they can begin new lives faster by expediting the court process that allows them to be rehabilitated and rehomed.
The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) – The Humane Society of the U.S. is the largest animal welfare nonprofit organization in the U.S. and opposes and fights against all forms of animal cruelty. The HSUS has a campaign directed at addressing and ending dog fighting: The HSUS Animal Cruelty and Fighting Campaign. Read about the Signs of Dogfighting. Know the many ways you can help and what you can do to stop dogfighting, What you can do for chained dogs, and read the Dogfighting Fact Sheet for more understanding about this cruel and illegal activity.
Knock Out Dog Fighting – Knock Out Dog Fighting is an intervention program for children and young adults developed by the 501(c)(3) nonprofit For Pits’ Sake, Inc. The award-winning program for kids is an unprecedented multi-media public education campaign that combats the cruelty of dog fighting. This nonprofit is focused on teaching young people about self-respect, having compassion for others, and the proper treatment of animals. They offer workshops and classes, offer posters, hold radio and TV public service announcements, and provide information for schools, community centers, law enforcement, animal shelters, rescue groups, gang counselors, and juvenile detention centers – to stop this cruelty and abuse.
National Link Coalition – This is the national resource center on The Link between animal abuse and human violence. The Link has been established over the past 35 years by researchers and professionals in a variety of human services and animal welfare disciplines, that have proven significant correlations and links between animal abuse, child abuse and neglect, domestic violence, elder abuse and other forms of violence. Mistreating animals is no longer seen as an isolated incident that can be ignored—it is often an indicator or predictor crime now and a “red flag” warning sign that other family members in the household and community may not be safe. This website provides excellent information and resources to address The Link along with how to report it in every U.S. state. Read more about The Link here and visit their online library.
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) – Given PETA’s motto, “Animals are not ours to experiment on, eat, wear, use for entertainment, or abuse in any other way,” one of the issues PETA strongly campaigns against is dog fighting. Read their page about dogfighting; watch Thiago Alves speaks up for animals.
The Positive Pit Bull, 501C3 – The Positive Pit Bull is a 501(c)(3) providing education about and advocacy for pit bull type dogs. Their primary goal is to decrease euthanasia rates among pit bulls, which they achieve by supporting pit bull rescue (primarily spay and neuter), teaching responsible pit bull ownership, and offering community and educational outreach, and public awareness campaigns in North Carolina and throughout the region.
Stand Up For Pits Foundation – The Stand Up For Pits Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit dedicated to saving lives and ending the abuse and discrimination of Pit Bull “type” dogs (Pibbles) through live events, funds, education and advocacy. They advocate, educate and save lives and focus their efforts on ending dog fighting, abuse and discrimination. Here’s information about what you can do for pitbulls to help them, and who dogfighters are and what to look out for.
For more information about the No Kill Movement in the U.S., please read:
No Kill Advocacy Center – The No Kill Advocacy Center was founded in 2004 by Nathan Winograd as the nation’s first — and at the time, only — full-service No Kill community, saving not only dogs and cats, including all community cats, but rabbits, hamsters, gerbils, horses, and others. The No Kill Advocacy Center is a legal advocacy organization that reforms shelters through litigation, legislation, education, consultation, training, and other direct assistance. Read about how to get involved and watch the documentary film Redemption, about the No Kill Revolution in America.
Unchain Your Dog – All about how to get anti dog-chaining ordinances passed in your town. And much more.
How to Report Dog Fighting
- Call 9-1-1 immediately if you witness an illegal dogfight in progress or know of one about to occur.
- If you are aware of an illegal dogfight about to take place or is happening, call the HSUS Tip Hotline at 1-877-TIP-HSUS. Rewards of $5,000 are given if your tip leads to the conviction of a dogfighter.
- Call your local animal control officer and law enforcement agency/police to notify them of a dogfight – address, time, place, people involved.
- Remember to document everything – take photos and videos, provide location and time, and people involved, and keep reporting it if authorities don’t initially take action. Don’t stop, and don’t give up.
- Report your photos and videos, location of the dog fight, people involved–anonymously to the Facebook page: Anti-Dog Fighting Campaign; message at @ADFC.Worldwide.Org; Email at [email protected] or [email protected]; call (248) 820-0532, and Visit here for specific Tip Hotlines.
- Call Stand Up for Pits at 1-877-777-2585 — your call will remain confidential.
- If you see a dog that is chained up outside, is neglected, without food and water, or appears to be suffering – call your local animal control and police/law enforcement agency.
- Use your voice for animals, never be silent—always speak up!
