The U.S. Attorney’s Office and the Office of the Inspector General, USDA, were dedicated to their pursuit of an illegal gambling ring connected to dog fighting, which saw NFL quarterback Michael Vick and three others plead guilty to federal indictments against them. In addition, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell’s firm and swift response to Vick’s guilty plea showed that he would not tolerate illegal activities or cruelty to animals. In recognizing the brutality of dog fighting, these leaders reinforce the crucial need to combat animal cruelty. The steps they’ve taken deserve to be recognized, and we hope that with our encouragement other leaders will follow their example. If you’ve already taken action on this issue, we thank you for your time. Please take a moment to forward this message on to all the animal advocates you know.

ASPCA-Led Animal Behavior Team Recommends That 48 Out of 49 Vick Dogs Can Be Placed In early September, an ASPCA-led team of certified applied animal behaviorists conducted evaluations on pit bulls seized from Michael Vick’s property. As announced this week, the team recently provided its recommendation to the United States Department of Agriculture.

ASPCA-LED TEAM RECOMMENDS
48 OUT OF 49 VICK DOGS
CAN BE PLACED INTO NEW HOMES

As reported in ASPCA News Alert in late August, the ASPCA was preparing to lead a team of certified applied animal behaviorists in evaluating several dogs taken from Vick’s property during the course of the federal investigation.

The evaluations were conducted between September 4-6, and the team recently provided its recommendation to the United States Department of Agriculture—that 48 of the 49 dogs have potential for some sort of placement. Recommended placement options for the dogs include:

• Possible re-homing into appropriate foster homes for further observation and evaluation

• Rehabilitation as law enforcement dogs

• Placement in sanctuaries, which will need to meet USDA facility standards

Only one of the 49 dogs was deemed unfit for rehabilitation and recommended for euthanasia, which was ordered on Monday, October 1, by Judge Henry E. Hudson. A federal judge will determine the final disposition of the 48 dogs recommended for potential placement.

The ASPCA is grateful to the USDA and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the opportunity to lead the evaluations, as well as to the behaviorists who contributed their expertise. “We have been honored to assist federal investigators in this groundbreaking case,” says ASPCA President & CEO Ed Sayres, “and greatly appreciate the trust placed in us. More than anything, I am extremely proud of the dedication and collaboration demonstrated by the behaviorists who evaluated the dogs—that almost all of these dogs can expect to live long and happy lives is an incredibly uplifting and inspiring outcome to this case.”

To read the complete press release, get further details on the ASPCA’s role in the Michael Vick case, and for important information on dog fighting, visit the ASPCA Anti-Cruelty Resource Center at ASPCA.org. Letter From Ed Sayres | ASPCA

www.ASPCA.org

GET THE FACTS: READ THE ASPCA’S DOG FIGHTING FAQ & GLOSSARY Click Here...

We’ve heard from countless concerned citizens around the country, and we know that you have many questions about this brutal “sport.” You want to know who’s involved in dog fights, what happens in dog fights, how the dogs are treated and trained, and what you can do. ASPCA experts have prepared an illustrated FAQ & glossary for those who would like to learn more. Visit the ASPCA Anti-Cruelty Resource Center today.

Dogfighting Fact Sheet

Dogfighting is a sadistic "contest" in which two dogs—specifically bred, conditioned, and trained to fight—are placed in a pit (generally a small arena enclosed by plywood walls) to fight each other for the spectators' entertainment and gambling. Fights average nearly an hour in length and often last more than two hours. Dogfights end when one of the dogs will not or cannot continue. In addition to these dogfights, there are reports of an increase in unorganized street fights in urban areas.

The injuries inflicted and sustained by dogs participating in dogfights are frequently severe, even fatal. The American pit bull terriers used in the majority of these fights have been specifically bred and trained for fighting and are unrelenting in their attempts to overcome their opponents. With their extremely powerful jaws, they are able to inflict severe bruising, deep puncture wounds and broken bones.

Dogs used in these events often die of blood loss, shock, dehydration, exhaustion, or infection hours or even days after the fight. Other animals are often sacrificed as well. Some owners train their dogs for fights using smaller animals such as cats, rabbits or small dogs. These "bait" animals are often stolen pets or animals obtained through "free to good home" advertisements.

Yes. Numerous law enforcement raids have unearthed many disturbing facets of this illegal "sport." Young children are sometimes present at the events, which can promote insensitivity to animal suffering, enthusiasm for violence and a lack of respect for the law. Illegal gambling is the norm at dogfights. Dog owners and spectators wager thousands of dollars on their favorites. Firearms and other weapons have been found at dogfights because of the large amounts of cash present. And dogfighting has been connected to other kinds of violence—even homicide, according to newspaper reports. In addition, illegal drugs are often sold and used at dogfights.

Dogs used for fighting have been bred for many generations to be dangerously aggressive toward other animals. The presence of these dogs in a community increases the risk of attacks not only on other animals but also on people. Children are especially at risk, because their small size may cause a fighting dog to perceive a child as another animal.

There are several compelling reasons. Because dogfighting yields such large profits for participants, the minor penalties associated with misdemeanor convictions are not a sufficient deterrent. Dogfighters merely absorb these fines as part of the cost of doing business. The cruelty inherent in dogfighting should be punished by more than a slap on the hand. Dogfighting is not a spur-of-the-moment act; it is a premeditated and cruel practice.

Those involved in dogfighting go to extensive lengths to avoid detection by law enforcement, so investigations can be difficult, dangerous, and expensive. Law enforcement officials are more inclined to investigate dogfighting if it is a felony. As more states make dogfighting a felony offense, those remaining states with low penalties will become magnets for dogfighters.

Yes. Spectators provide much of the profit associated with dogfighting. The money generated by admission fees and gambling helps keep this "sport" alive. Because dogfights are illegal and therefore not widely publicized, spectators do not merely happen upon a fight; they seek it out. They are willing participants who support a criminal activity through their paid admission and attendance.

If you live in one of the states where dogfighting is still only a misdemeanor, please write to your state legislators and urge them to make it a felony. To find out how your state treats dogfighting, visit our page on State Dogfighting Laws.

We encourage you also to write letters to the media to increase public awareness of the dangers of dogfighting and to law enforcement officials or prosecutors and judges to urge them to take the issue seriously. You may want to display our dogfighting poster in your community. For free posters, please include your name and address in an email along with the number of posters you would like to receive, and we'll send our catalog as well.

If you suspect that dogfighting is going on in your own neighborhood, alert your local law enforcement agency and urge agency officials to contact The HSUS for practical tools, advice and assistance.

www.HSUS.org