Dogfighting: A Serious Problem in Milwaukee
Feb 3rd, 2010
Erin Riley, Animal Control Officer and Humane Officer with Milwaukee Area Domestic Animal Control Commission (MADACC) and Jill Brown with Battle Against Dogfighting (BAD), provided Safe & Sound organizers an informative presentation on the reality of dogfighting in Milwaukee. The issue of dogfighting is prevalent in many of the Safe & Sound targeted neighborhoods. Fortunately, there are hard working people like Erin and Jill educating the community on this horrible practice.
Safe & Sound collaborated last year with the Department of Neighborhood Services and MADACC to provide education and resources to prevent dogfighting and other illegal practices associated with dogs. Additionally, Community Partners organizers conducted outreach to identify and inform pit-bull and rottweiler owners of mandatory owner training, kennel requirements and no-cost services for their animals through MADACC.
Battle Against Dogfighting (BAD) works to educate the community and protect animals from the horrors of dogfighting. BAD is working to: educate the public about responsible pet ownership and the humane treatment of animals; train youth and community leaders to carry the message of compassion in their communities; and connect pet owners to MADACC’s low-cost services. BAD has four key components to specifically target neighborhoods most affected by dogfighting: community partnering; community outreach and educational events; humane education; legal outreach. Safe & Sound will be working with the Milwaukee Police and BAD to educate resident on the signs of dogfighting and the associated consequences.
The public can help. There are tell-tale signs of dogfighting:
- short ear crops
- recent or long-standing wounds and abscesses
- scars on the head, throat, legs, and ears
- wide leather or web collars with heavy rings
- puncture wounds and lacerations
- bleeding dogs and/or blood stains in a confined area
- severe injuries that can result in death from loss of blood and internal trauma.
Suspicious people and animals need to be reported to Milwaukee Police for investigation. There is also up to a $5000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of a dogfighter by calling 1-877-TIP-HSUS (Human Society of the United States).
Responsibility for pet owners begins at home by ensuring their dogs and cats are spayed or neutered, vaccinated, licensed and properly cared for. For low-income families some services can be cost prohibitive but luckily MADACC is offering many opportunities for reduced fee services, such as Neuter/Spay-a-thon coming up on Saturday, February 27th.
Flyer Download: Neuter and Spay-a-thon
