News

04.22.06 - PBRSD Participates in Forum on Dog Fighting

On Saturday April 22nd 2006, the North County Human Society hosted a forum to address the inhumane and problematic practice of Dog Fighting.

On the panel were a member of Law Enforcement, a Humane Officer, Beth Gruff of Gruff's Pit Stop, Kate John of Pit Bull Rescue San Diego, and Erik Sakach, the Director of the West Coast Regional Office of HSUS.

Another guest, who did not appear on the panel was Ziggy. Ziggy is a Pit Bull who was rescued from being a bait dog. A bait dog is a dog that is used to arouse other dogs to fight.

Erik Sakach talked about dog fighting, how it affects the community, and ways in which you, the general public, can help bring an end to it.

Kate John talked about Pit Bulls in general, and the persecution that they are facing today.


Panelists Beth Gruff and Kate John

Ziggy and his sister

and Ziggy and a mirror!

PBRSD President, Kate John

PBRSD Treasurer, Kim Smith; HSUS Regional Director, Erik Sakach; PBRSD President, Kate John

Forum gives residents eye-opening look at dog fighting

The Coast News
April 28, 2006
By Jessica Musicar
Staff Writer

OCEANSIDE — For dogs like Ziggy, a 2-year-old pit bull who still shows the scars of dog fighting, returning to a normal life as a family pet is near impossible.

Used as a bait dog to help train other animals in the blood sport, Ziggy was saved by animal control officer Eric MacPherson before being adopted by a local woman. Owner Nina Prince said she will never allow Ziggy off his leash when he is around other dogs to ensure that he will never attack another animal.

Although an unusually positive example of what happens to animals who have been forced to participate in dog fights, Ziggy served as a physical reminder of the blood sport during a special forum April 22. About 15 community members attended the event.

Held at the Oceanside Senior Center, the forum, which featured experts in the field, described issues associated with organized dog fights and the adverse effects they have on the community.

The event, "Stop the Violence: Citizens Against Dogfighting," was sponsored by the Humane Education Department of the North County Humane Society & SPCA.

Panelists included keynote speaker Eric Sakach, the director of the West Coast Region of the Humane Society of the United States, Kate John, the president of Pit Bull Rescue San Diego, MacPherson and Deputy Jay Pavlenko, a canine handler who works in the Vista Sheriff’s Department.

Sakach said dog fighting is a crime that occurs in nearly every state. Despite stringent laws, it is very difficult to control the illegal activity because people who fight dogs are often gone before a peace officer has had a chance to apprehend them. Members of law enforcement are also rarely trained to deal with dog fighting while at police academies, Sakach said.

Sakach added that dog fighting is often associated with gang activities, such as the sale of narcotics.

According to "The Final Round," a flim produced by the Humane Society of the United States, dog fighting is illegal in all 50 states but penalties vary from state to state. About 40,000 people are believed to have fought dogs in the country.

Pavlenko said animal fighting laws show that anybody who possesses, sells, buys or fights dogs for dog fighting are guilty of a penalty. Also, anyone who knowingly offers a venue for the illegal sport is also guilty and can expect to spend three years in jail. Spectators are guilty of a misdemeanor.

MacPherson, who works for the NCHS, said there are very few reports of dog fights in the community, although he is sure fights are occurring in Oceanside.

"These people who are doing it are really careful," MacPherson said. "They know what they are doing."

Sakach went on to say that forms of mass media, including rap music videos, Web sites and even clothing lines, tend to glamorize dog fighting.

"There are certainly sinister forces at play in the country today," Sakach said, adding that people who fight dogs are training their animals to go against their natural instincts and fight until their opponents are dead or can’t continue.

Despite the difficulty of catching dog fighters in the act, Sakach said several police departments, including those in Los Angeles and Chicago, have developed special task forces to deal specifically with organized fights.

Hoping to dispel the onus of violence surrounding pit bulls, John said the naturally sweet breed isn’t to blame for bites and attacks.

"There are not bad dogs, there are bad people," John said.

Up until the early part of the 20th century, bull dogs were one of the most popular breeds for pet owners. Once called "nanny dogs" because of their patient nature, bull dogs are now the most popular breed for dog fighters.

"These dogs will do whatever you want," John said. "If you want to teach them to stay off the bed or not eat cookies on the table, you can train them to do that. If you want them to rip out another dog’s throat, you can do that too. That’s the scary part."

She added that as children are exposed to the sport, either in their community or on television, they learn to think its OK.

"That’s hard to fight," John said.

After the educational forum, Carlsbad resident Pamela Montanez said she was concerned about dog fighting because she has seen an upsurge of pit bull puppies in Oceanside. She said she will relay the information she learned at the event to fellow staff members and the high risk children she works with at the Joe Balderama Recreation Center through the Teaching Love and Compassion program.

"I just learned that it just takes people to be vocal and committed to change things," Montanez said. "This was a good thing. I’m glad they did it."