Cheers for Knock Out Dog Fighting

This summer I taught the "Kids~N~Kritters" summer camp for the Humane Society of El Paso and one of the topics they learned about was animal cruelty and dog fighting.  I tend to get emotional when I see or talk about it but I knew it was important to expose these kids to the reality of it.  Today, while on Facebook I saw that a friend of mine had posted a video from an organization I'd never even heard of and I'm so glad that she did!

http://www.knockoutdogfighting.org/index.html

I suppose the Michael Vick case was a blessing in disguise because it brought light to the problem.  This underground sport had finally been exposed.  I don't hate Michael Vick and I know he's trying to do better now after having served his jail sentence.  I know we all deserve second chances 'cause lets face it, we are human and that alone is our biggest flaw.  But the victims of dogfighting deserve second chances as well.  I had no idea that these dogs were automatically euthanized.  It doesn't make sense.  They didn't ask for this kind of life.  Humans train these dogs to kill.  They serve their two year sentence and that's it, they're free but the dogs, the victims get put down.  That is NOT okay.  It should be the other way around......just kidding.....but not really.

What also breaks my heart is that pets that are advertised on the Internet or in the paper are used as bait to train these dog fighting canines.  Again, the animal isn't the one to blame.  It's the human.  It's just not right.  This is just another reason to support Title 7 in El Paso, Texas because you can never guarantee that a pet is going to a good home.  The reality is that sometimes, well, people suck.  Title 7 will definitely prevent these poor animals from suffering any longer.  Shouldn't we all want that?

Pet Lovers Rally Against Proposed Pet Ordinance - News Story - KVIA El Paso

Pet Lovers Rally Against Proposed Pet Ordinance - News Story - KVIA El Paso

Y'know, I'm really glad that the pet overpopulation issue has gotten this much attention here in El Paso. City Council has postponed voting on the ordinance until October so that they can make sure that once it is passed, it will be enforced. That's smart. There are of course other kinks that need to be worked out on this ordinance.

I really think that its not so much about passing the ordinance but more about educating the public about what Animal Services has to do on a daily basis. Today, I went over to AS with a staff member from the Humane Society to pick up two dogs- a gorgeous giant Husky and a playful Boxer! I was so happy that we were able to rescue these dogs from being euthanized. But again, my emotions got the best of me when I saw the other ones that we left behind.

It's inevitable, those that were left behind will meet their fates tomorrow morning. If only others could see it for themselves so that they could truly understand the magnitude of the problem! No dog or cat should have to be put down because of our irresponsibility or ignorance to the situation.

El Paso, and pretty much every American city with a stray or pet overpopulation problem needs to know the true consequences of their actions. I will say it over and over 'til I'm blue in the face- PLEASE SPAY AND NEUTER YOUR PETS. Be a part of the solution, not the problem.