Pittsburgh PITS

Since this is the last blog comment I will be making I thought it was important to discuss a situation I find unfair, the possible rehabilitation of ex-fighting dogs.   Do we help to rehabilitate them, or automatically euthanize them?  What is our society saying about the victims of animal abuse?

There has been a dispute between those who support the rehabilitation of ex-fighting dogs and those who oppose such rehabilitation.  If a dog is checked by a competent professional and is deemed too aggressive to reenter society that is one thing, but if a dog is checked and is judged safe for society they should have the opportunity to be adopted out.  Obviously you can tell which side I have chosen. 

Ex-fighting dogs that have been checked and judged safe for society have become therapy dogs and great pets for people.  One of the therapy dogs at PITT is a pit bull and she helps students everyday to relax and feel good about themselves. 

Ex-fighting dogs cannot be judged as a group.  Each dog must be fairly evaluated by professionals to determine their future.  Automatic euthanization of ex-fighting dogs often takes place in communities where resources are too scarce to fund rehabilitation efforts. 

It is important to remember that fighting dogs do not choose to be placed in an abusive environment, and that their owners force them into a kill or be killed situation.  These dogs are victims, and it is a sad comment about our society when we further victimize them after saving them from their horrible situation. 

Dog fighting not only threatens the well being of children but it has an extremely negative affect on our community.  Dog fighting promotes various crimes that we don’t want in our neighborhoods including animal cruelty, illegal weapon, illegal drugs and gambling to name a few. 

As a result of dog fighting fear has been created in our communities.  There is a fear of being attacked by dogs and a fear of people Dog who use fighting dogs to intimidate others.  Recently convicted dog fighters have criminal records that include such crimes as assault and battery, arson, weapons charges, burglary, drug charges and attempted murder. 

Dog fighting decreases the livability in our neighborhoods because illegal kennels are established to breed, train and house fighting dogs.  These kennels are responsible for odor from feces, flies, rats and other vermin attracted by feces and food.  Kennels also generate excessive noise due to barking, people coming in and out at all hours and loud music used to disguise the noise of dogs fighting and training. 

Long terms dog fighting affects the community by promoting a culture of violence for everyone who resides there. 

If you suspect dog fighting or illegal kennels in your community don’t hesitate to contact your local authorities so they can check it out.  Not only might you be saving your community but helpless animals as well. 

When we think of who is involved with dog fighting most of us generally think of adults.  I have recently found some disturbing information about children involved with dog fighting.  Children have been found at dog fighting events cheering dogs on to their death.  The dogs are not the only victims of this blood sport.  The potential for damage to children’s hearts and minds is frightening.

When a child enjoys the suffering of an animal and has no empathy and compassion, it becomes very easy for the same child to grow into a teenager and adult who can inflict pain upon fellow humans and still have no empathy or compassion.

According to an article I read on pit bulls on the web, an animal welfare official visited a fourth grade classroom and asked the kids, “who has seen a dog fight?”  Every hand shot up.  Sgt. Brownstein, a Chicago police officer, has seen children snap the necks of puppies.  He has noticed the dehumanizing effect that such violence has on children and that worries him the most.  As it should also worry all the rest of us as well. 

Sgt. Brownstein remembers one twelve year old boy, Speedy, who he first met when he impound the boy’s dog for fighting, and next he heard of after that the boy had raped a seven year old girl.  In Brownstein’s view the two events are not unconnected. 

What effects does dog fighting really have on children? 

From what I have researched and read only negatives have resulted from a child’s exposure to dog fighting.  If a child believes that torturing animals is okay then how to we try to tell them that they are unable to treat human beings this way as well?

Most of us think that the trunk of our car is used mainly for groceries.  In the mind of someone who is involved with dog fighting the trunk of a car can have a very different meaning.  What am I talking about?  “Trunking,” a trend that has been around but is recently being talked about more.

Trunking is a type of dog fighting where two dogs are put in the trunk of a car.  The owners can either drive around and play loud music or just leave their car parked and wait.  Usually the dogs are left in the trunk for anywhere between 10-30 minutes or whenever the owners feel they have had enough time to fight.  When the trunk is opened the winner is decided by the dog that is still alive.  Typically the loser is just tossed to the side of the road. 

For some people involved with dog fighting “trunking” is the chosen method because it is difficult for police to detect.  Unable to be seen or heard if you are driving or in someone’s garage; helpless dogs have no chance that the fight will be broken up by authorities.  A cop driving by isn’t going to notice anything out of the ordinary.  

This type of fighting is common in the inner cities where space is limited.  It’s just another creatively brutal way to have a dog fight.  Urban youth who are unable to afford normal entertainment use the “trunking” method of dog fighting for amusement at the expense of the helpless animals.  

I know that this may seem like a joke but it is actually happening.  I couldn’t believe it when I first read about it but it’s the reality of the brutal sport of dog fighting.  

Don’t think that dog fighting is a major problem in the United States?  Here are some statistics that may change your mind. 

In the United States today over 40,000 people are involved in professional dog fighting.  These people are arranging fights, buying dogs for fighting or selling dogs for fighting.  Most recently in the news was to story of Atlanta Falcons player Michael Vick.  Vick and three other people were accused in an indictment that describes how they executed dogs that did not fight fierce enough. 

The problem of dog fighting is growing.  It’s not just gang members and drug dealers that are involved with this blood sport.  Wealthy professionals are getting involved at a rapid pace; to make more money.  A top level professional fight can have winnings around $100,000. 

Street fighting is also on the rise.  Over 100,000 street fighters in the United States participate in this sport.  Most street fighters are involved in gangs and the fights are informal for the most part. 

Statistics from shelters like the Humane Society prove that dog fighting is on the rise.  The are receiving more and more pit bulls that have been involved in fights.  Reports of dog fighting cases have increased from 16 in 2000 to 127 in 2006.  This is a dramatic increase and something needs to be done to help stop this animal abuse. 

Laws have been enacted and dog fighting is actually illegal in all 50 states.  Unfortunately, those involved care less about the laws and more about money, money, money.  I simply can’t understand how someone can treat an animal with such disregard.  We must do something to help these animals before it’s too late. 

Did you know that all over the country animal theft is on the rise?  Personally, it never occured to me that someone would ever come into my yard and steal my pet.  Unfortunately it’s happening more and more.  Family pets are being taken on a daily basis.  Don’t think that because your dog chained in the back yard that they are off limits.  If your not paying attention and you have a friendly dog or even a some what friendly dog, someone could unchain them, offer them a treat and take off with them so fast that you will never know it happened. 

Why would someone want to steal your family pet?  There are a variety of reasons but the one that concerns me the most is bait.  Owners of fighting dogs are stealing other animals right from someone’s yard and using them as bait animals for their dogs.  Fighting dogs are usually starved to increase their aggression.  They are put on treadmills going at very fast speeds with a dog or cat “bait animal” hanging in front to encourage the animal to run.  After the dog has proved he deserves to be fed, the owner lets the dog have the bait animal.  It’s sick and cruel.  For the owner of a fighting dog, on the other hand, using your family pet as bait for a fighting dog is free. 

Now that you are aware that this indeed does happen here are some tips to help keep your family pet safe.  We must think of our pets as children.  They need us for survival and protection.  Don’t leave your pet on a chain in the back yard unless you are back there with them.  If you have cats, don’t let them go outside without your supervision.  If you can’t watch you pet outside then bring them in and make sure they are in a safe place.  You will greatly reduce the chance of someone stealing your pet if you follow these main rules to keep them safe. 

The life of a fighting dog is extremely brutal.  They are usually trained from a very early age.  Dogs are made to wear very heavy chains around their necks in order to build neck and upper body strength.  Weights are often attached to the chains also to produce neck and upper body strength.  Dogs are usually permenatly chained this way.  Fighting dogs must be kept on isolated from other dogs.  They spend most of their lives on short heavy chains, often just out of reach of other dogs.   Typically they are poorly socialized to any other dogs and to most people as well. 

The conditioning of fighting dogs may include the use of a variety of legal and illegal drugs, often including anabolic steroids to enhance muscle mass and encourage aggressiveness.  Narcotic drugs are sometimes used to increase a dog’s aggression and mask pain during a fight.  Many young dogs are trained by allowing them to fight with other dogs while muzzled or leashed.  If a dog shows little want to fight they may be discarded or killed at an early age.  Some fighters will use “bait dogs” as sparring partners for their dogs.  The dogs are encouraged to attack and maul the “bait dogs.” 

Other common techniques that are often used in the training of dogs for fighting are starvation, physical abuse, and the use of stimulants or other drugs to excite the dogs.  These techniques are used most by “street fighters” who usually invest little in the conditioning of their animals and rely on a quick fix to produce aggression. 

Not all dogs can be trained to fight.  Some dogs are herding dogs or trailing dogs, these breeds are selected for particular rolls.  Fighting dogs are born ready for the training that will prepare them to succeed in the pit.  They are bred to have a high degree of dog-dog and dog-person aggression.  We must also understand that if a Pit bull is not bred to fight they can be a perfectly suitable house pet.  It’s not the breed that is aggressive it is the people who interact with them that teach them how to act. 

Have you been stressed out lately?  Need some time to relax and clear your mind?  Do you miss having animals around you?  I have the perfect solution.  I’m sure that many of you have seen dogs at the Cathedral of Learning and wondered why they were there.  I know that I always thought they were part of a stress management class, they aren’t.  It is a program called therapy dogs at Pitt.  It’s a FREE therapy session.  A group of volunteers bring their dogs to Pitt and they lay on the first floor of the Cathedral of Learning.  Anyone who wants to pet a dog and take some time to relieve stress is welcome.  There are always at least six dogs there at a time.  The owners of the dogs are volunteers who bring their dogs to share them with students.  There is tons of information that supports the fact that animals can be stress relievers.  Animals can help people cope with all sorts of things is life, they are emotional support.  Pitt is the only school in the nation to have a program like this, don’t miss out. 

One of the therapy dogs that come to Pitt is actually a Pit, as in Pit Bull.  Her name is Roxy, come and see her.  Roxy has been working as a therapy dog and has that genuine Pit smile. She may just change your mind about the breed. It’s not about Pits being a mean breed because they aren’t.  They are a real high energy, intelligent dog and if you don’t train them they do what any dog does, they improvise and do what comes natural including barking, digging, and jumping.  If you train them like any other dog they become nice dogs to live with.  The difference is what the humans’ do that interact with them.  The problem isn’t the dog it’s the people who mistreat them. 

So come and see Roxy and let her change your mind for you.  Every Tuesday night at 7 in the Cathedral of Learning, come and pet a dog.  Dogs can offer so much to us, take the time to come and see the therapy dogs and let your stress go.   

A lot of different people participate in dog fighting.  Many law enforcement agencies divide dog fighting into three categories:  street fighting, hobbyist fighting and professional fighting. 

Street fighters are involved in fights that are informal and can happen on a street corner, in a back alley or possibly in or around a playground.  These fights don’t resemble a traditional pit bull fight because their usually aren’t many rules.  These are spontaneous events that can be triggered by insults, turf invasions or taunting.  A lot of street fighters have little regard for their animals and force them to wear heavy chains.  They pick fights in the street where the animals can get seriously hurt.  These dogs are bred to be a treat to other dogs and to people and as a result serious consequences can occur.  These fights are frequently gang related and money, drugs or bragging rights are the main payoff.  Since many of the owners of these dogs have little respect for them many police officers have said that they have found dead or dying animals in the aftermath of one of these fights.  It’s very difficult to stop these fights because they are always moving and so spontaneous. 

Hobbyist fighters are more organized.  They have one or more dogs that participate in several fights throughout the year.  These fights are for entertainment and an attempt to make some money.  The owners of these dogs tend to pay more attention to the way they are breed.  Also owners are more likely to cross state lines for events. 

Professional fighters often have a large number of animals, possibly fifty or more.  They earn money from breeding, selling and fighting dogs often at a central location or on the road.  They promote established bloodlines and are committed to the long term conditioning of their animals.  They are known for disposing of animals that aren’t successful at fighting or breeding by very brutal methods.  Professional fighters are also known to sell dogs that are too human aggressive for the pit to street fighters. 

Recently a fourth category has been emerging including wealthy individuals from the sports and entertainment worlds.  These people have been using their financial resources to promote professional dog fighting enterprises. 

With so many different groups of people participating in this gruesome sport it is going to take a lot of effort from a lot of different people to put a stop to it. 

I know that most people realize that dog fighting has been around for awhile, but does anyone know just how long this cruel act of animal abuse has really been going on?  I didn’t so i decided to do some research to see where and when this bloodsport actually started and was suprised by my findings. 

Dogs have been involved with this horrible sport since ancient Romans times when they were used to fight each other in the Coliseum.  Dogs were put up against other animals like bears, and bulls in medieval times in England until in 1835 it was outlawed by Parliament.  The Staffordshire Bull terrier was brought to America in 1817 and that is where dog fighting sunk it’s teeth into American culture.  In the earlier days of this sport there were actual rules and sanctioned referees.  You have to wonder what kind of person would have their occupation as a ref for a dog fight.  I don’t understand how someone can make money off these poor animals pain. 

In 1881, dog fighting was so popular that the Ohio and Mississippi railroads advertised special fares for people going to a dog fight in Louisville.  I guess this was so everyone could afford to go and watch animals kill each other.  Wouldn’t want to miss that.  Public places such as “The Sportsman Hall” in Manhattan, regularly hosted matches.  They weren’t even trying to hide what they were doing.  Today dog fighting has beome a very underground operation.  I’m not saying people don’t ever have public displays but not nearly as much.  I think the attitude has changed among most Americans about the morality of dog fighting. 

Dog fighting actually became illegal in most states by the 1860’s, but unfortunatly for the animals it continued and still today continues to be a pastime that many participate in on a daily basis.  By 1976 dog fighting was outlawed in all states but didn’t begin to recieve  the attention of law enforcement until recently.  Today dog fighting is a felony in 48 states was well as the District of Columbia, the Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico.