April is National Dog Fighting Awareness Month

2 Apr

Well, dog-gone! Who knew? Organized dog fights still take place in many parts of the country, even though it's a felony offense across all 50 states.

So, the ASPCA is asking animal advocates to #GetTough on this cruel and barbaric practice by speaking out and creating a social movement by using its hashtag and spreading the word throughout the month of April, and especially on?National Dog Fighting Awareness Day (NDFAD) on Wednesday, April 8.?

"In recent decades, fights have become informal street corner and playground activities. Many people who participate in these fights lack even a semblance of respect for the animals, often starving and beating them to encourage aggressive behavior," the ASPCA said.?

It's crazy to think that even the dog owners involved?come from every community and all backgrounds, with audiences including lawyers, judges and teachers and other upstanding community leaders.

The main reason people participate is because of the financial benefits, sometimes bringing home sums of $20,000 to $30,000 from dog fights. Using breeds like the?Fila Brasileiro, Dogo Argentino, Tosa Inu, Presa Canario and the American Pit Bull Terrier, to carry out the brutal blood sport.?

Most fights involve some sort of "pit," between 14 and 20 feet square, confined by hay bales, plywood or chain link fencing, on grounds of dirt, wood, carpet or sawdust.?

Once inside the fighting arena, the dogs line up about 12 to 14 feet apart and fight to the death. The losing dog is often discarded, killed or simply left with untreated injuries. If the loss is particularly "embarrassing" to the owner's reputation or status, it may be brutally executed as part of the "entertainment."

The ASPCA is doing all it can to combat these practices,?assisting in raids and rescues alongside law enforcement agencies and by advocating for stronger laws and sentencing for those who commit this terrible crime.?

But they need help. The #GetTough campaign will help raise awareness of the crime and encourage the Department of Justice to prosecute dog fighters with great frequency in 2015.?

The ASPCA says there are 3 ways to get involved:

Download a #GetTough on dog fighting toolkit kit which includes a printable sign, Facebook & Twitter cover image, and digital shareables: http://www.aspca.org/GetToughTake a photo with the #GetTough on dog fighting sign and post on social media using the #GetTough hashtag. Including your own pup in the photo is encouraged! ?Ask the Department of Justice to #GetTough on dog fighters by creating harsher sentencing guidelines: http://bit.ly/1HxeMSL

?#GetTough on dog fighting.?

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