Many people end up at www.UnchainYourDog.org
because they are looking for information on dog fighting. We agree with
hip-hop mogul Russell Simmons that Cruel's Not Cool (Listen
to Simmons or see
poster).
Please, have a heart and treat other living and feeling creatures the way
you want to be treated: with respect and kindness. Dogs are social animals who
- in the wild - hunt together, sleep
together, and play together. It is a dog's nature to respect the pack
leader and get along with the rest of the pack. Not to fight. Dogfighting is cruel,
unnatural, and wrong.
Dog fighting is a felony, so report it to the police! To learn more about
dog fighting and how to stop it, visit our
Dogfighting page.
Anti-Cruelty Society; Crimestoppers Join to Combat Dog Fighting
By Steve Grzanich
www.wbbm780.com
September 24, 2004, CHICAGO -- The Anti Cruelty Society of Chicago
and Cook County Crime Stoppers have joined forces to combat dog fighting. The groups launched a public relations campaign Thursday aimed at parents, featuring posters depicting children and teenagers watching a dog fight.
The headline on one of the posters reads, “It’s 4:00 p.m. Where’s your kid?” People who witness dog fighting were urged to call 911.
“Our goal is to let communities know the signs of dog fighting and report them,” said Sierra Cleveland, community project organizer, Anti Cruelty Society. “Our goal is to get police to respond to dog fighting, because it is a class four felony in Illinois and our goal is to put the issue on the radar, because these fights happen every day throughout the city,” added Cleveland.
A recent survey showed nearly a third of Chicago eighth graders had been to a dogfight -- with friends or a parent. Last year, 9-1-1 and 3-1-1 received nearly 1,000 calls about dog fighting from all over the city.
“It’s become epidemic in certain communites although there is not a police district where it’s not been reported, kids are going to the fights, kids are perpetrating the fights, it’s connected to gang activity, there’s a lot of gambling that goes on, there’s drug dealing…what happens to the dogs is incredibly abusive,” Cleveland told WBBM.
The posters encourage people to call Crime Stoppers anonymously to report tips about dog fighting. If the tips result in an arrest or indictment, the caller will receive a reward of up to $1,000, according Cleveland. A dog fighting conviction could bring a three year prison sentence and fine of up to $50,000. Spectators can also be charged.
"Children who see dog fights are at risk of becoming violent themselves," said George McDade, chairman of Cook County Crime Stoppers. “These violent events set the stage for drug dealing, gambling and gang activity beyond the animal cruelty of the dog fights. It is not a victimless crime. We are eager to help.”
The Crime Stoppers telephone number is (800) 535-STOP. The line is open 24 hours a day and callers remain anonymous.
From the Anti Cruelty Society: Signs of animals used for fighting include: dogs being walked with large heavy chains or locks around their neck, multiple dogs chained to separate areas in a yard, treadmills used for dogs, and hanging ropes or chains with wooden or rubber objects that dogs grab onto with their mouth to build jaw strength.
On the web: www.anticruelty.org/dog_fighting.html
