Their efforts started long before the Michael Vick scandal, but animal activists, community groups and police are seizing upon the controversy surrounding the NFL star to educate the community about the dangers of dogfighting.
On Thursday, a coalition of city officials, clergy and canine lovers unveiled “Safe, Humane Chicago.” The grass-roots campaign aims to reach children and their parents through church and community groups, emphasizing the link between dogfighting and other violent crime.
“This isn’t just about dogs,” said Ald. Walter Burnett (27th), who spoke at a news conference at the Wayman AME Church, 509 W. Elm St. “Violence breeds violence.”
Police and supporters of the program say dogfighting goes beyond animal cruelty, perpetuating gangs, drugs, gambling and other violence. As many as 70 percent of dogfighting and animal abuse offenders in Chicago also have been arrested for committing violent felonies against people, according to Cynthia Bathurst, executive director of the Dog Advisory Work Group and co-organizer of the new program.
“They don’t believe that anything they are doing is wrong,” said Officer Thomas Barker with the Animal Crimes Unit. “They consider it a sport, there’s money involved … it’s a status symbol for the gangs, these dogs.”
Organizers are seeking funding for the new program, which is currently run on a volunteer basis. Outreach efforts already have begun with children in church groups, but organizers want to expand.
They hope to eventually offer training programs with professional dog handlers, encouraging responsible pet ownership and opening up lines of communication for community members who can act as eyes for the police.
Because the dogfighting world is largely out of sight, taking place at homemade rings in basements and back yards, police rely heavily on community tips.
In 2006, Chicago police arrested five people for breeding and training fighting dogs and 10 people for promoting dogfighting, according to spokeswoman Monique Bond.
And though police have been cracking down for years on the brutal activity some consider a “sport,” they can’t deny that the backlash against Vick has helped their cause.
“It’s actually quite beneficial,” said Barker. “It makes people want to give us tips … things they maybe weren’t aware of until it was brought to light.”
Anyone witnessing a dogfight should call 911, those who suspect dogfighting is taking place should dial 311.
