Safe, Humane Chicago

Chicago Communities Rise Up against Dog Fighting!

Community Activists, Animal Advocates, and Government Leaders Launch Safe, Humane Chicago Initiative

CHICAGO, IL – In one of the most extensive community-wide partnerships formed to address violence in the context of dog fighting, the Dog Advisory Work Group (D.A.W.G.), the Alliance for Community Peace, the Chicago Police Department, and other city agencies, organizations and community advocates gathered today to announce the Safe, Humane Chicago initiative – the most aggressive citywide campaign ever created to reduce the abhorrent practice of dog fighting and other associated violence that exist in many Chicago communities.

In Chicago, as elsewhere, dog fighters and animal abusers are some of the most violent offenders in the criminal justice system. Animal abusers are more likely to commit child abuse, domestic violence and other violent acts against humans. In most cases, children who are exposed to the ruthless violence of dog fighting and animal abuse at a very young age become desensitized to violence, resulting in children that are more likely to grow up and become violent themselves.

"Whether you like dogs or not, this issue is about violence in our communities – and we must put an end to the senseless torture of living creatures and the psychological scars that dog fighting leaves on the kids that witness this brutality," said Reverend Dr. Walter B. Johnson, Jr., Executive Director for the Alliance for Community Peace. "To protect our children, we are calling on the community to get involved to make our streets safer. We cannot just look the other way and let our children become recruits for the gang bangers to mold into violent criminals."

A study by the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) and Boston's Northeastern University showed that those who attend dog fights and witness other forms of animal cruelty are five times more likely to commit violent crimes against people.

"In Chicago, data shows that 70% of dog-fighting and animal abuse offenders have also been arrested for violent felonies against people. Even more alarming is that 86% of those who have committed crimes against animals have been arrested for multiple violent offenses," said Cynthia Bathurst, Executive Director of D.A.W.G. "Through education, early intervention and community involvement, we believe that we can significantly reduce violence in general by focusing on violence associated with dog fighting. This will create a more humane generation in the years to come."

To achieve this goal, the Safe, Humane Chicago initiative builds alliances between local government, animal and community advocates, humane organizations and the faith-based community. These alliances will partner to conduct animal education programs for both adults and children; develop youth intervention programs to stop these violent crimes before they are committed; work with the criminal justice system; and create open communication lines for community members to report dog fighting and animal abuse crimes to trusted allies that will assist law enforcement in stopping the violence. The program will also teach adults and children the appropriate tools for safe interaction with dogs to avoid bites and attacks. Once established, this program could be used as a model for other cities across the country.

"Bottom line, the real victim of dog fighting is society, said Steve Dale, host of WGN radio's Pet Central and renowned author and activist on animal issues. "Through Safe, Humane Chicago, we can coordinate a movement that will save lives - both canine and human."

Dog Advisory Working Group (D.A.W.G.) is a coalition of individuals and organizations working together to improve conditions for people and companion animals and to help build safe, humane communities.