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For breaking and up-to-date Michael Vick stories, please visit these links: Atlanta
Journal-Constitution http://www.ajc.com
August
2007: What should DDB do with We've got 4 tickets to the Pittsburgh-Philly game on August 26th, but what do we do with them now that many animal organizations are boycotting the NFL until they take the Michael Vick charges seriously? We had planned to raffle them off to raise some money for the chained and penned dogs...but unless there's a major miracle heading our way, we'll need YOUR better ideas! What should we do with these great NFL tickets? Let us know by clicking on the video and leaving a comment on our YouTube site.
The 'skinny' on dog-fighting, bare-bones, matter of fact: The
life and death of a fighting dog Having read every word on the Michael Vick case, the founder, employees, and volunteer area reps join the larger organizations such as the Humane Society of the United States, Best Friends Animal Society, In Defense of Animals, the ASPCA, and others in condemning all those involved in dogfighting on the Michael Vick estate. All those involved in dogfighting all across the U.S., the world. We also join the smaller organizations, both local and national animal rights and animal welfare communities, as we stand united to say 'No More!' Finally, we have an issue that even the AKC and 'owner' organizations stand against. Dogfighting, it seems, has no defense even in a society that has its share of humane issues still unacknowledged, unaddressed. In a society where animals dying daily in shelters goes ignored except by those valiant rescuers who kill themselves saving the few they can, cry for those they cannot. Where groups must fight for the right of dogs to live free of chains, the right to be loved; the right to be part of a family, a pack.
We are appalled and saddened for the senseless loss of life implied in the indictments against Vick and his co-defendants; the senseless breeding of dogs exclusively for this blood sport, for viciousness; and, the senseless chained conditions they endure up to the time of their death in the ring or at the hands of their torturers for any unwillingness to fight. Dogfighting takes our issue to its utmost extreme. We stand against the chaining of dogs for life, whether that be in a typical American backyard, a backyard breeder, or a dog fighting operation disguised as a breeding kennel. To say the typical American chained dog is 'luckier' than the dog fighter's dog would not be easy. No chained dog has it easy, given that its basic instincts are thwarted, basic needs go unmet. Dogs need to live as a pack, move as a pack, and eat as a pack. Chaining a dog for life goes against all that is inborn, all that is in his genes.
Dogs bred for fighting are not only chained, often short-chained on thick logging chains, but the focus is on making them killers, making them fight to the death. We read that people in Michael Vick's town are puzzled, because he never showed interest in dogs as a child. This very admission lends further credence to the theory that dogs are just property to dogfighters, merely a commodity with which to trade, sell, bet, kill. Any claims of 'loving' these dogs cannot be taken seriously by anyone who knows the meaning of the word 'love'. 'Love', as described by Eddie Lama in The Witness, is 'wanting the best' for your significant other, friend, companion animal, etc. Dog fighters 'want the best' for their dogs no more than spouse and child abusers 'want the best' for their family as they rain fists upon broken bodies. This is not love; will never be love. This is our message to dogfighters: Get out of the dogfighting business, get out of your peer group, get out of your neighborhood if you have to. Get into counseling, therapy, a job; do not take ONE more innocent dog's life, for their blood is yours. America is waking up to the dangers of chaining dogs, and the dangers of those who harm dogs in the name of sport. We await a day when all dogfighters will be caught and convicted of this cruelest of all animal crimes, a day when society's conscience is raised enough to make all thoughts of such a sport a thing of the past.—Dogs Deserve Better
DDB Press Release for Initial Hearing Rally, 7/26/07: For Immediate Release Contact:
Tammy S. Grimes • founder, Dogs Deserve Better • www.dogsdeservebetter.org Dogs
Deserve Better to join Virginia Voters for Founder to attend, condemns dog-fighting as 'worst form of cruelty imaginable' Tipton, PA — July 25, 2007 — Dogs Deserve Better, a national nonprofit working to end the suffering endured by dogs kept chained or penned for life, announced today that the group will join the Virginia Voters for Animal Welfare in a rally at the Thursday court appearance for Michael Vick in Richmond, Virginia. Tammy Grimes, founder of the organization, will make the trip to Richmond for the 3:00 p.m. rally. "This case is too crucial for those of us who fight for humane treatment for dogs to miss, and I implore all those who are in agreement to make the trip. Dog fighting takes our issue to the utmost levels of cruelty imaginable; not only are the dogs short-chained on thick logging chains to build their muscles and frustration, but they are then subjected to horrendous deaths for the enjoyment of sick individuals. As a rescuer, I've seen my share of unintended dog fights, and I know many rescuers (including myself), who have been bitten trying to break up a fight between two dogs who take a dislike to one another. Those brief moments before you stop the struggle are absolutely terrifying—I cannot imagine actually WANTING dogs to fight, much less allowing it to continue to the death.
While in New Orleans after Katrina, a well-meaning individual put a pit covered in scars into the doggie play area...It took 7 people to pry the trained fighter off the old, shaggy dog; his screams filled the air for what seemed like hours. I will never forget the distress of all those in attendance, all those who cared enough about both dogs to put a stop to the attack. I implore dog lovers the world over to help us finally end this intensely cruel practice." Attendees to the rally are asked to meet at 9th and Bank Streets, and wear black business attire in remembrance of the fighting dogs of Surry County. Members of Virginia's General Assembly have been invited, and further information can be obtained from DDB/VVAW member Lisa Hetrick at 804-306-0418. Dogs Deserve Better (www.dogsdeservebetter.org) is a 501c3 nonprofit organization headquartered in Tipton, Pennsylvania, is the 2003 First Place Winner of the ASPCA Pet Protector Award, and currently has over 150 area reps in 38 states as well as in Canada and France.
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