Tails in the news

New DVDs are designed to educate the public about Pit Bulls

By Katie Marsico

The past several years have seen Pit Bulls increasingly finding their way into news headlines, whether in stories related to Breed Specific Legislation (BSL) or because of their unfortunate and unwilling involvement in the horrific world of dogfighting. With these animals so constantly capturing public attention, Casa del Toro (CDT) Bully Breed Education & Rescue founder Laurie Adams is determined to raise awareness with everyone from pet guardians to law enforcement officials.
Established in 2000, the Indianapolis-based CDT works with animal-welfare societies, police, and public schools to rescue Pit Bulls, as well as to spread accurate information about the discrimination and frequent abuse these dogs face. In keeping with these efforts, Adams and a local animal-welfare group known as the Indy Pit Crew recently completed work on a DVD titled Dog Fighting Primer. This resource is designed to serve as an educational tool for animal-control officers and other law enforcement officials. Adams began researching the concept of a DVD a few years ago and received advice and assistance from area police and the Indy Pit Crew, which CDT helped found. Like CDT, this organization strives to perform public education and outreach to quell common misconceptions related to Pit Bulls and to combat dogfighting and overpopulation. While the DVD began as Adams’ project, she credits the Indy Pit Crew with serving as the driving force behind its launch. The DVD is 45 minutes and already has been unofficially distributed to a few individuals affiliated with BSL.
“It’s our goal to get people to work together with their communities to understand and teach each other that Pit Bulls are absolutely great dogs,” Adams says. “The public needs to realize that it’s the gangs and drugs that breed violence and danger, and unfortunately criminals have picked these animals to drag down with them. Sadly, it’s typically the dogs that pay the ultimate price.” In Indiana, it is considered a felony to organize or promote a dogfight. Providing equipment for a fight, training or selling a dog for fighting purposes, or attending a dogfight generally garner misdemeanor charges. However, bringing minors to dogfights or repeat offenses often result in increased penalties and fines for criminals involved in the aforesaid activities.
Adams hopes Dog Fighting Primer, which is free, will soon gain official status as an educational resource used in law enforcement at both local and national levels. But she admits that putting together a DVD about this form of animal cruelty is not as simple or straightforward as it might seem. “One thing that was extremely critical to us was that we didn’t reinforce the myth that Pit Bulls are evil, dangerous dogs. Just as importantly, we wanted to be careful to not send out the message that anyone who owns a treadmill and a Pit Bull is a dogfighter. I think to fully know an issue you need to understand all the different angles and to maintain a sense of balance.” To that end, Adams explains that Dog Fighting Primer offers insight into signs of dogfighting activities, as well as methods of addressing these behaviors. The DVD also discusses both proper and improper use of treadmills and ear cropping, along with various terminologies frequently employed by dogfighters.
In addition to the primer, the Indy Pit Crew also has three other DVDs in the works and aims to have them completed by late October. Topics covered will include further information on anti-dog fighting efforts, BSL, and overpopulation. While Dog Fighting Primer is still pending approved packaging before larger distribution occurs, copies can be obtained by e-mailing info@IndyPitCrew with “Dog Fighting Primer CD” in the subject line or visit www.IndyPitCrew.org.
For more information on CDT, please visit www.CasaDelToro.org.