As we approach the six-year anniversary of Michael Vick’s arrest, we’re reminded of just how much work we still have to do to stamp out dog fighting forever. For the dogs still trapped in fighting rings, our work to end blood sports has never been so urgent.
Here are just some of the realities of life as a dog-fighting victim:
• Tethered to short, heavy chains or locked away in tiny cages, the dogs often receive inadequate care and little socialization.
• They can go for days without food or clean water.
• When dog-fighting dogs are old enough to fight, many die of blood loss, shock and exhaustion.
• Losing dogs are sometimes killed right on the spot for their failure to secure a win for their owners.
• Even when they’re lucky enough to be rescued, dog-fighting victims face a difficult path to physical and emotional recovery. Despite the best efforts of expert rehabilitators, not all dogs rescued from fighting will heal.
From the very beginning, these dogs are fighting for their lives, and an untold number are suffering in silence right now.
Rest assured: The entire ASPCA is deeply committed to eradicating this brutal form of animal abuse.
The Blood Sports Unit of our Field Investigations and Response Team helps carry out criminal investigations, providing expertise during large-scale rescues and raids.
Our experts provide critical training to animal control officers, police officers and veterinarians across the country to empower them to take action against dog fighters.
Behind the scenes, our Legal team works to ensure dog fighters face tough consequences, and our Government Relations staff is pushing hard for tougher anti-fighting laws.
We are committed to ending animal cruelty in all its forms, but we need your help.
If you’re able, please help us stop this barbaric form of cruelty and all others. Together we can save animals from lives of abuse.
