Interview with a former Dog Fighter

[Adina P]

On my way to one of my job locations I had my radio tuned into NPR and the host of whatever show happened to be on (I'm in the Pacific NW and it was approx 2pm if that helps you figure it out) was interviewing a former dog fighter.... I only caught 5-6 minutes of the show before I got to work, but I thought some of you might be interested in finding it online--I think most of their shows have downloadable podcasts.

UPDATE: Found the online link for the above show:
http://www.npr.org/templates/rundowns/rundown.php?prgId=13

[F, Calla & Luca]

I was amazed to hear today that a dog fighting operation was sharing the premises of a day care facility! What will they think of next? At least these people are out of business for now.

[Adina P]

Just updated the above with a link to the show you can listen to on your computer: http://www.npr.org/templates/rundowns/rundown.php?prgId=13

[Kyoko]

I just finish listenning to it. It was very interesting and good. Twisted and distorted way of thinking..... Sickness like.
Animal abuse law superceded the development of Child abuse law, but at that time it only covered the farm animals. I believe that just as the children were seen as they "belong to"/ "owned by" parents and abuse were much less recognized as cruelty, pets were seem in same manner, and neglect and abuse were not recognized for them....

I don't want to be judgemental, but I feel that people who can engage in dog fights are very ill and phychopathic individuals.....

[Adina P]

I haven't had time to listen to it yet, but I guess I can play it while cleaning!
The short bit I heard made me think that too...that those who can engage in dog fights have something 'broken' in them. I don't think 'evil' as much as something is truly broken in their ability to feel empathy and sympathy.... Whether it's from a poor upbringing or abuse themselves or living such a horrid and rough life that it seems normal. I don't know, but it sad. Just the way the guy claimed to have loved his dogs...it's a dysfunctional understanding of love that's for sure. It's a very twisted way of thinking...but it seemed like something that was there from a pretty crummy life. Once you're in that mind frame...it's tough to break free I think. Just like the Juvie kids I saw...it's likely some of them had psychological issues that were based in more than just upbringing...but I truly think a few had the thinking they did because it's all they KNEW and it made sense. Street life twists things.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

If you grow up with dogfighting literally in your backyard, it seems perfectly normal to you. If this is the way children see dogs being treated every day, they grow up thinking this is the way dogs should be treated, and that dog-fighting is normal.
Dog fighting is going on in urban and suburban neighborhoods all over this country every day. It goes on in the basements and garages of family homes. Children live in those homes, and live with dogfighting every day. The problem is much bigger than most people realize.
To see what the HSUS is doing to bring awareness and help solve the problem in urban neighborhoods, please check out this link; the "Pit Bull Training Team" Program, right here in Chciago, has some very moving stories, beautiful photos, and an amazing video that is well-worth viewing. You can donate funds to the HSUS to go directly to this program. It is making a difference in the way underprivileged youth look at dogs.
http://www.hsus.org/acf/fighting/dogfight/programs/pit_bull_trainin...

[Jeannine]

Thank you for sharing this video Karen. It's amazing what they can do with the dogs... and their owners.
No dogs are naturally aggressive, just their humans.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

TRULY HEARTWARMING

[BetteB]

Great program! Thanks for sharing the video. It's great to see a successful program that is helping animals and people. I enjoyed hearing about Trouble's success -- his owner seems quite confident and very caring.