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PR: MMA fighters are ‘knocking out dog fighting’
By Zach Arnold | July 2, 2008
For Pits’ Sake, Inc. has teamed up with Mixed Martial Arts fighters from the American Kickboxing Academy to “Knock Out Dog Fighting” by teaching kids that it is not a symbol of strength, power, or greatness to abuse or fight animals.
San Jose, CA (PRWEB) — Josh “The Punk” Thomson, Mixed Martial Arts Lightweight Champion, speaks out against dog fighting with a new PSA as part of the “Knock Out Dog Fighting” campaign by For Pits’ Sake, Inc.
This is the second PSA completed by world class Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) fighters who are demonstrating that they are champions in and out of the ring by joining For Pits’ Sake to knock out dog fighting. Champion Josh Thomson wanted to provide a positive role model for children and appears in the PSA with his English bulldog Brady. He gives a strong message: “Dog fighting is animal abuse, plain and simple. Torturing animals is not cool; nor is it a sign of being a real man. Real fighters stand up for what’s right and protect those who are unable to do so.”
The “Knock Out Dog Fighting” program is part of an educational campaign by For Pits’ Sake which has gained momentum in the wake of widespread media coverage of the Michael Vick case which brought never before seen attention to the barbaric activity of dog fighting. As horrific as the details in the Vick investigation were, they showed us the pit bull as what he really is…a victim. The investigation and conviction of Michael Vick gave the American public a glimpse of the sadistic world of dog fighting. We learned that dog fighters not only force these animals to fight to the death, many also engage in violence against the dogs by means of electrocution, strangulation, kicking, and other unimaginable acts of cruelty.
In addition to the other illegal activities that go on at these events, dog fighting affects more than the animals. Dog fighters or spectators often involve their children in dog fighting. Sadly, this desensitizes children to violence and the suffering of others not only from the exposure, but also because dog fighting is condoned and even glorified by adults and role models. They are taught to believe that it is okay to inflict the cruelties they observe and that dog fighting is an acceptable form of recreation.
For Pits’ Sake founder Kris Crawford believes that one of the most effective ways to stop the cycle of violence is to teach young people about the proper treatment of animals. This type of education can create a cycle of a different sort: a cycle of compassion. “Through the many activities I’ve done with my pit bulls Cheyenne, Dakota, and Tahoe – we have been able to teach and influence children all over the world. However, there are some segments that we just cannot reach. That’s why we have recruited the American Kickboxing Academy, the premier Mixed Martial Arts training facility, to help. Many children look up to these fighters and view them as role models. In addition to the PSAs, we visit schools and children’s groups to teach children that it is not a symbol of power, strength, or greatness to abuse or torture animals.”
The first PSA by Cung Le, Undefeated World Champion MMA Middleweight Title Holder and Undefeated World Light Heavyweight San Shou Champion, makes it clear that there can be no comparison between the fighting arts and dog fighting: “I have a choice to step inside the cage to fight. But there are a lot of helpless animals who are not given that choice. Dog fighting is cruel and inhumane and those who engage in it are losers.”
For Pits’ Sake and the participating members of the American Kickboxing Academy hope that their community outreach program will shed more light on the prevalence of dog fighting, its’ overall effect on the community, and will knock out the social acceptance of this activity. Their goal is to end the violence of dog fighting because the real victim of dog fighting is society.
Help stop the abuse. Show your strength and join us in Knocking Out Dog Fighting! For more information and to obtain broadcast version of Josh’s PSA, go to www.KnockOutDogFighting.org.
About For Pits’ Sake, Inc. (www.ForPitsSake.org)
For Pits’ Sake, Inc., a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, has been a leader in the community for both human and animal rescue efforts, humane education and safety programs for children for over a decade. The For Pits’ Sake pit bulls, Cheyenne, Dakota, and Tahoe, were world-famous search and rescue dogs who responded to over 200 search missions including high profile cases such as the search for Laci Peterson and the Space Shuttle Columbia disaster. The For Pits’ Sake girls have received numerous awards, including the American Red Cross Santa Clara Valley Real Heroes award, a Certificate of Appreciation from the FBI as well as a letter from the Governor of California stating that they “demonstrate the true strength of California and represent the best of the Golden State”. Cheyenne, Dakota & Tahoe are also trained therapy dogs and now spend their time teaching safety programs at schools and to children’s groups, working with physically and mentally challenged children and also battered and abused children.
About Josh Thomson
Josh is a Mixed Martial Arts Lightweight Champion. Josh resides in San Jose, California with his dog Brady and trains at the American Kickboxing Academy. He has fought in Japan’s PRIDE Fighting Championships, America’s UFC, the World Fighting Alliance, and currently fights for Strikeforce.
About the American Kickboxing Academy (www.Akakickbox.com)
The American Kickboxing Academy (AKA) is one of the first true Mixed Martial Arts gyms in the United States. AKA owner, Javier Mendez, is a former two-time world champion kickboxer who has become one of the premier fight trainers and is one of the most influential and respected figures in the fighting sports. AKA attracts MMA fighters from across the US and around the world that travel or who relocate to receive the world-class instruction offered at AKA. Currently, the gym provides instruction in kickboxing, Muay Thai, submission fighting, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, boxing, and wrestling, and offers an original children’s Mixed Martial Arts program. Some of AKA’s featured fighters are Cung Le, Josh Thomson, Mike Swick, Jon Fitch, Josh Koscheck, Paul Buentello, Cain Velasquez, Trevor Prangley and Bobby Southworth.
Topics: Media, MMA, Zach Arnold | 10 Comments » | Permalink | Trackback |
Ah, dog fighting issues? All I have to say is…. the steak on your plate and the fish with your chips (french fried potatoes) got there one way or another…
God bless America and the rampant double standards! Oh, and let me add that I have two dogs (a Yorkshire Terrier and an American Staffordshire Terrier aka Pitbull), and a cat. And I have owned many other pets in the past. I love animals, but I love to eat them as well. If people are going to bitch and moan about Michael Vick and dog fighting then they should just become vegans and get it over with.
Oh, wait! That’s right! More field animals that AREN’T bred for anything get killed in wheat combines than animals raised for slaughter. Vegans kill more animals than meat eaters. WHEAT IS MURDER!
What an odd leap to make, Chuck.
“It’s probably not very nice raising animals for the sole purpose of them viciously killing each other for money and our amusement.”
“We kill animals for food! Hypocrites!”
Have you read the book A Fighter’s Heart? There’s a whole chapter on dogfighting.
Eating animals and having them maul each other for your amusement aren’t quite anywhere near the same thing. If McDonald’s were to have you pick the chickens fighting to the death before you got your McNuggets, you might have a better point.
Chuck:
CapnHulk and dragomort have already pointed out the complete lack of logic in your argument.
I’d just like to point out your factual mistake. The American Staffordshire Bull Terrier is NOT the same thing as a Pitbull. They are a different breed.
Andrew,
American Staffordshire Terriers (no bull in the title for this specific breed) are pitbulls. Dogs that are usually considered pitbulls are American Staffordshire Terriers, Staffordshire Bull Terriers, and American Pitbull Terriers. It’s a pretty vague/generic term for many dogs in the molosser/mastiff family of dogs. But the three breeds I mentioned are usually noted as THE pitbull breeds.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pit_Bull
Even though it is Wikipedia, they are correct from what I read.
Chuck,
You, and Wikipedia, are wrong. Staffordshire Bull Terriers are absolutely NOT the same as pitbulls. Your claim is 100% false.
Anyone with even the slightest amount of common sense and tiniest amount of knowledge can differntiate between a Staffordshire Bull Terrier and a Pitbull Terrier. They look completely different.
Well, here is the definition of a pitbull straight from Merriam-Webster:
“Main entry: pit bull
Function: noun
: a dog (as an American Staffordshire terrier) of any of several breeds or a real or apparent hybrid with one or more of these breeds that was developed and is now often trained for fighting and is noted for strength and stamina”
So, does Merriam-Webster not have “the slightest amount of common sense and tiniest amount of knowledge”? Sorry bro, you lose. I think you meant the American Pitbull Terrier, which is a specific breed. As I said, the term pitbull is a vague and generic term for any of those types of dogs that I mentioned. Oh, and my dad owns a few books on pitbulls, and they all basically said the same thing when it comes to classifying dogs as pitbulls. Want me to find quotes for you?
Chuck,
I’m from Staffordshire.
I’m 31 years old.
I work out and about in the community.
I like to walk.
I’ve owned dogs.
My girlfriend owns a Staffordshire Bull Terrier.
I’d estimate I haven’t passed a single day in the past DECADE where I haven’t encountered somebody with a Staffordshire Bull Terrier.
They have a surprisingly wide variety of physical and temperamental characteristics but They are not the same breed as any kind of a pitbull terrier.
They are also NOT identified with any kind of pitbull by the British government’s Dangerous Dogs At, nor by the Kennel Club of England, which incidentally is THE source of dog breed classification.
Get me all the quotes you want – especially as your Merriam Webster offering actually does NOTHING to refute my main claim that the Staffordshire Bull Terrier is NOT the same as any kind of pitbull.
Perhaps you, your dad’s books, and whoever else you quote are just victims of sloppy English, poor classification and distorted historical knowledge.
Or perhaps, as your initial post appeared to indicate, you just can’t think properly.
OOOOOHHHHHHHHH! We have a condescending Brit on our hands. Of course since you are British, you would know everything about dogs!
If you actually read my posts, you would see that, as I will say again, the term pitbull is a vague and generic term for many molosser type dogs that share the same characteristics. I enevr said Staffordshire Bull Terriers, American Pitbull Terriers, and American Staffordshire Terriers (the type I have) are the same breeds. They are different breeds. I said that they are SIMILAR breeds, and are usually identified as being “pitbulls”. Which, once again, is a vague and generic term for any molosser type dog that share the same characteristics. I know Staffordshire Bull Terriers are shorter and stockier than APBTs and American Staffies. Check out the term pitbull, and prove that I am wrong that Staffordshire Bull Terriers aren’t CONSIDERED pitbulls.