Stop Fightin' the Dogs (music video)

This fantastic music video, 'Stop Fightin' the Dogs', made by the Urban Animal Alliance, is wonderful for raising awareness of dog fighting issues and encouraging us to take a stand against dog fighting. The Urban Animal Alliance consists of concerned citizens who are bringing attention and action to the issues of animal abuse in America's inner cities and suburbs. They are raising awarenessof animal rights in urban America. Please visit http://www.urbananimalalliance.org/ to learn more about their programs and awareness-raising events, including how to recognize dog fighting/dog fighters in your communities and what you can do to stop dog fighting.

"Across the country, in basements and back alleys, open fields and empty lots, dogs are placed in “sporting” rings and cheered on to fight by their owners and spectators (sometimes children), many who have bet money on the winners. The dogs tear at each others' faces, throats and ears and often keep fighting to the death. Some owners kill their dogs when they lose ... According to law enforcement officials and animal welfare organizations, it’s on the rise all over the United States, in cities, suburbs, and rural areas... Pit bulls are most commonly used for dog fighting ... Other animals are also used to train dogs for fighting. Smaller dogs, cats, rabbits, and other small animals can be sacrificed as “bait” animals. Often these animals are stolen or obtained from free animal listings in classified ads and online ... Dog fighting is related to other types of violence and illegal activities. And young children are sometimes in the audience at matches, which can promote insensitivity to animal suffering, enthusiasm for violence and a lack of respect for the law." (from  urbananimalalliance.org/)

The Urban Animal Alliance is "comprised of Hip hop artists, sports role models, ordinary concerned citizens and entertainment bigwigs alike, all working together dedicated to changing the social mores that violently impact not only so many voiceless animals, but the children around them."

Please take a moment to visit The Urban Animal Alliance now and learn more about their valuable work for animals and people. At least watch their amazing video by clicking 'Stop Fightin' the Dogs' now and pushing the play button. You'll be glad you did. 


Posted By:
Dawn Kairns 
Author of MAGGIE the dog who changed my life A Story of Love

Website: www.dawnkairns.com

Blog:      Dawn Kairns and Maggie the Dog 
Twitter:  www.twitter.com/themaggiebook

"They stay in our lives for a while, leave footprints on our hearts, and we are never, ever the same." -- Author Unknown

 

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Dogs’ DNA Used to Track Their Abusers: 17 Plead Guilty in Dog Fighting Case

ST. LOUIS — "Scientists and animal rights advocates have enlisted DNA evidence to do for man’s best friend what the judicial system has long done for human crime victims. They have created the country’s first dog-fighting DNA database, which they say will help criminal investigators piece together an abused animal’s history by establishing ties among breeders, owners, pit operators and the animals themselves."'
Read the full story in the New York Times

According to Care2, 17 abusers in the multi-state dog-fighting raid last July have plead guilty as a result of dogs' DNA evidence.


Posted By:

Dawn Kairns  

Author of MAGGIE the dog who changed my life

Website: www.dawnkairns.com 
Blog: Dawn Kairns and Maggie the Dog  

Twitter: themaggiebook

Become a fan on Facebook of MAGGIE: the dog who changed my life

The Link Between Animal and Human Abuse: Michael Vick Should Not Be in a Role Model Position

Although I believe everyone deserves the opportunity to a job after release from prison, I don't believe Michael Vick should be back in the NFL, where sports figures are modeled and revered by children and teens as well as adults. Even though he may eventually help the cause of animals, I don't feel we really know that yet, and placing him in such a high profile, public eye "job" seems inappropriate to me.

It's been shown that there is a link between those who abuse animals and their eventual, if not concurrent, abuse of people in their lives. Wives. Girlfriends. Children. Abusing animals is horrible in and of itself, and it's also a red flag of what's most likely to come next. This is the even more cruel truth about animal cruelty. According to American Humane, "a crime against an animal should never be taken lightly ... cruel in its own right ... a sign that the perpetrator could be capable of hurting people, too."

I agree, and this is one of my concerns about Michael Vick given the heinous crimes he committed against helpless dogs. Yes, he deserves a job, but to be placed where he, as a sports figure, is revered, cheered, and paid millions of dollars? Shouldn't the NFL hold their players to a higher standard and be empowered to say "No" to Vick for life?

You can learn more about The Link between animal and human abuse at http://www.americanhumane.org/human-animal-bond/programs/the-link-of-violence/

Some states allow pets to be included in domestic-violence protective orders. Find out about your state at The Link and advocate for legislation that protects animal victims of abuse in your state.

Very sadly, some animal abuse perpetrators begin in childhood. Teachers and parents need to educate themselves on the signs a troubled child displays who may be abusing animals or who have this penchant for violence. According to American Humane, "statewide coalitions in Maine, Rhode Island, Delaware and New Mexico, as well as groups in cities such as Boston, Phoenix, Colorado Springs and San Antonio, have formed to spread awareness of The Link and increase the likelihood of identifying where and when violence may be occurring. More communities need to take action ... It’s important that judges and juries understand The Link when evaluating abusers’ behavior."

I hope that future abuse will not be the case for Michael Vick and the people in his life. I hope he truly is remorseful, can be successfully rehabilitated, and become a true champion for animals. But that remains to be seen. Somehow I'd believe in Vick's intentions with the Humane Society of the United State more if he made stopping dog fighting and animal cruelty his cause without the motive of returning to the NFL. Time will tell.

Posted By:

Dawn Kairns
Author of MAGGIE the dog who changed my life: A Story of Love
www.dawnkairns.com
www.maggiethedogwhochangedmylife.blogspot.com
www.twitter.com/themaggiebook