Animal Abuse: I Am Sick to My Stomach!
AP Photo
As you no doubt know, I’ve not hesitated to use this blog to take on animal abuse, especially when it comes to the vicious mistreatment of dogs through the so-called “sport” of dogfighting. And I really thought we were making some progress against dogfighting this past year with law enforcement officers making a couple of major national busts.
Then came the stunning news that the Supreme Court had struck down a federal law designed to stop the sale and marketing of videos showing dogfights and other illegal acts of animal cruelty. The majority of the justices said the law was an unconstitutional violation of free speech, because it was too broad and could, for example, allow prosecutions for selling photos of out of season hunting. As a result, the high court threw out the conviction of a Virginia man who sold vicious dog-fighting videos that he advertised in Sporting Dog Journal, an underground magazine devoted to illegal dogfighting.
I was sick to my stomach. Dogfighting is illegal in this country but selling a dog-fighting video isn’t? We’re seriously going to let people profit from their films of pets being abused? Is there anyone out there who thinks that is even close to being the right thing to do?
If anything, the Supreme Court decision only proves that we’ve still got a long way to go when it comes to protecting animals. That’s why we’re putting together a show that is going to shine a harsh spotlight on the animal abuse that still plagues our country. We’re not only going after people who think it’s perfectly acceptable to leave their pets cramped in cages with little or no water and blatant neglect, we’re going after those professional “dogfighters” who diligently train their pit bulls to fight other pit bulls to the death and every other form of abuse.
I’m sure you are going to find the show revealing. And if you know of anyone — someone in your neighborhood, someone from work, even a relative — who is abusing animals, let us know. We’ll try to do something about it. I promise you. This injustice cannot continue. It’s time to fight back.
Tags: animal abuse, Dogfighting, in the news
Dr Phil and staff. I watched the show today about animal abuse in tears. I have an 8yr old pit bull that is the most wonderful friend and companion to my grandson and myself. I also had a rescued aussie shepard until last week. She gave us 8 wonderful years of love until cancer took her. They both slept with my 18 yr old cat and 10 yr old cat. Both cats are rescued. I got so angry with your guest that fights dogs. I can not wrap my brain around his thinking or his actions. And to be raising children in those conditions?? What is that teaching his children? I want to praise the gentleman that were on your show that will go to the end of the earth to help an animal. My prayers are with them. But shame on those people that continue to use animals for “blood sport” shame on you!!! I would say it more clearly but it would have to be sensored. Thank you Dr Phil and staff for bringing this horrible horrible “sport” into the spot light. Hopefully more people will be watching and not be afraid to report it. As difficult as it was to watch, if it is not exposed then it would continue with no one caring and the dogs would have no help.
Dr. Phil,
I’m watching your show right now from Okinawa, Japan. I’m so glad to see you use your popularity and star power to speak out for these innocent animals. We need more people like you to fight against animal cruelty. Your show will bring awareness to the public and educate them about animal abuse and how to stop it. Many praises to you and all those who fight against animal cruelty. You are a hero for these animals.
In my opinion, Animal cruelty, abuse, and exploitation sould be punishable as that done to humans… Would you kick your child around in an elevator?! Lets look at it like this people… Two children adopted out, fall into the hands of parents that were trying to make an extra buck. After watching this, I find it hard to believe that this does not happen. Imagine two sons, fighting to the death… Would that be ok? because they were adopted!? It is our nature in life to fight for our survival. It is not ok when that fight for survival is manipulated, that would be like putting a couple of 16 year old kids in a pit… Would that be ok? What does that say about us? Would you fight your son or daughter to the death?
hey misty cesar millan can help dogs like those all the time that what he does for a living he’s known as the dog whisperer the dogs have to be balance
I am very happy to have someone do a show on real problems with animal abuse. We in rescue see things daily especially through facebook cross posting that nobody even will believe when we have discussions regarding it. Seems like people take the attitude that if I don’t think about it that it will go away and it is not my problem. Yes it is our problem as humans. Dogs/cats are unable to fend for themselves out in the world and certainly cannot speak for themselves. One day I would love for your show to help us take on our battle with the shelters of strays who are kept for the hold period and never even given the chance to be put up for adoption, states who use the gas chamber or heartstick as a form of euthanasia, breed discrimination and many other topics. We fight a pretty good fight for regular people and spend most of our free time doing so but we fall upon mostly deaf ears-especially with our government. Bless you for your concern about the animal population.
Dr Phil, I applaude the decision you made airing such a show, bringing to the screen the dog fighting situation. There is just not enough awareness regarding this or any type of abuse towards animals and I wish there were more. Im curious though…this dog fighter, Rob, it was mentioned that he is married with children. I’d like to know if he is raising his children with the belief that dog fighting is a desirable and profitable blood sport. Is he teaching the next generation to be animal abusers? Thats a real concern to me and should be for society since these kids will grow up and repeat the cycle, just like pedophiles or domestic violence offenders.
I’d like to see a show addressing children who torture and abuse animals, awareness that this type of behavior will create monsters in our midst. Thank you.
Thanks for helping to educate the public on the horrors of dog fighting. It is my mission in life to help change animal laws in this country starting with Morganton, NC and Burke County. If we want to stop child abuse, we must also address animal abuse…it is all connected!
Meet my rescued pit, Phantom who had his face ripped off while being used over and over as a bait dog for dogfighters. His body is covered in bite scars.
http://www.burkecountyfriends4animals.org/images/PhantomWeb1pp.ppt
DR PHIL,
LETTING PEOPLE KNOW ABOUT ANIMAL ABUSE IS IMPORTANT. I HAVE A TOTAL OF 14 BEAGLES, 2 OF WHICH ARE RESCUED. MY DOGS ARE PART OF MY FAMILY. THESE ANIMALS RELY ON MYSELF AND MY HUSBAND TO FEED AND TAKE CARE OF THEM. I DONT THINK PEOPLE REALLY UNDERSTAND OR DONT WANT TO REALIZE THAT ANIMALS FEEL PAIN JUST AS WE DO. I WAS TOTALLY SICKEN BY THE DOG FIGHTING, LISTENING TO THEM CRY, THESE DOGS NEED TO BE HOMES WHERE THEY ARE TAKEN CARE OF NOT USED AS TOOLS FOR MONEY OR THEIR THRILL OF THE KILL. EVEN IN THE SMALL STATE OF VERMONT THERE IS A RING OF PEOPLE THAT TAKE DOGS FOR BAIT FOR TRAINING THEIR DOGS. THIS IS DONE WHEN PEOPLE ARE LOOKING TO GET RID OF A DOG WHICH IS ADVERTISED AS “FREE”. I DONATE MONEY TO A NO-KILL SHELTER, ITS NOT MUCH, BUT I FEEL I HAVE TO HELP IN SOME WAY. I HAVE ALWAYS HAD ANIMALS, I DONT BELIEVE THERE HAS EVER BEEN A TIME THAT I HAVE NEVER HAD AN ANIMAL. BESIDES THE 14 DOGS, MY DAUGHTER AND HER BOYFRIEND HAVE 4 BEAGLES, A RABBIT, 4 TURTLES, 2 CHICKENS AND 3 CATS. WE LOVE THEM ALL. AND I HAVE TO SAY “HOORAY” FOR THE TOUGH GUYS THAT ARE DOING A GREAT JOB. KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK.
First of all I would like to thank you Dr. Phil for shining a spotlight on what dog fighting truly intails. I was a wreck by the end of your show! I could not believe what I was hearing coming out of that mans mouth!!! This man was seriously deranged! It was heartbreaking to see what is being done to these dogs. It is animal abuse at it’s worse!!
the person on your show about dog fighting should be trained as he so called states he trains his dogs. PUT HIM IN A RING AND FORCE HIM TO FIGHT. he is a weak MAN ( I use the term very loosely) that is not mentallyl stable and obviously is an attention seeker. Maybe he was beat when he was a child, but that does not make up for STUPID… AS I HAVE ALWAYS SAID AND I HAVE MADE UP POSTERS FOR THE CAUSE
ANIMALS CAN’T CALL 911-THAT IS WHY PEOPLE HAVE TO PROTECT THEM.. Karma is around every corner,you don”t know when it will come and so called bite you in the back side… God didn”t put animals here for sick people they are here to further enhance our lives God know what these so called people are doing, and as the saying goes GOD DOESN’T LIKE UGLY.. we are caring for our sons dog who is in Iraq right now, she is a great dane who is now 10 years old and I am taking the best care of her that I know how, it is very expensive to care for her and she needs to have MRI,s done for her legs but we can not pay for it. she is on pain meds as a daily basis, we love her unconditionally and will take care of her the best we can, the vet said she needs to have acupuncture, but we can’t afford it. sure wish we could. thanks and bless you proud military mom patty
Dr Phil
You have my heartfelt thanks and gratitude for your show on the horrors of dog fighting and animal abuse. You have brought the sick and sadistic practice into the public eye like no one else could.
Anyone that finds joy and entertainment in cruelty and torture is someone to be feared and people like you need to step up and speak for those innocent creatures.
Rescue Ink, as always, presents the sane side of what animals feel and deserve.
Again. Thank you and I hope you will continue to let the public know what is going on; it’s far to easy to bury our heads and pretend it doesn’t exist.
Pat H.
Dr. Phil, Some of the worst animal torture and abuse happens in county animal control shelters funded by taxpayers. Animals are subjected to sadistic methods of killing (not euthanasia…”good death”) not to mention severe trepedation and cruelty at the hands of unsavory staff. Although I cannot go into detail in this comment section, I would welcome the opportunity to discuss the concerns with a member of your staff.
Thank you for doing your show on yesterday about animal abuse and dog fighting. It broke my heart to watch your show yesterday, but it educated me on how much people actually make dogs fight for a sporting event. I couldn’t watch most of the videos because my heart sank and I couldn’t control my tears, especially the poor poor puppy that was trapped in the elevator. That poor puppy wieghed heavy on my heart all night long when I was at work! My two dogs were sitting with me when I was watching the show, and they looked at me trying to figure out why I all of a sudden burst into tears. Anybody that can do this kind of thing is sick and is a MONSTER!! No matter what kind of abuse or cruelty it is! Dogs don’t have a voice to choose what they want to do and what they don’t want to do, that’s why they have us, so we can be there protecters! These dogs rely on people to keep them away from danger like this, and then, these people treat them like they’re nothing and put them in harms way and hurt them!!! It sickens me to think that humans can be so horrible to their dogs, hurt them and everything else, but when that human is in trouble, their dog is barking loudly to get help for you, or pulling you out by your clothes from a burning fire, or protecting you from big bear or something. To us dogs are heros, so why can’t we be hero’s to them, instead treating like this!!!
And thanks to Rescue, INC for everything you do for these animals!! Animals need more people like you in this world, to be their heros!!!
I have only had a chance to watch a few minutes of you show, that’s all I needed before I got so angry, my entire body was shaking.
I am 1 of 3 Co-Founders of a Dog Rescue and I have seen the aftermath of this “sport”. Maybe Rob can explain to me why (if the dogs don’t get hurt) we rescued a 10 week old puppy that needed emergency care for a face injury, just to find a chunk of tooth (from another dog) in his cheek! And was absolutely terrified of other animals! I can tell you, Because he “was not a fighter” he was used as BAIT to train the bigger,stronger dogs! And “If the dogs don’t get hurt”, why has he had to kill HUNDREDS of his dogs? If they get sick or somehow get injured, Well, I handle hundreds of dogs each year, we get them already sick and injured and Other than loosing a couple unvaccinated puppies to parvo (which we have saved over half of), We have only lost… NONE! To me that means he is obviously being irresponsible and/or neglectful in the care for his dogs. Does he have vet records to prove his wonderful care, regular check-ups, vaccinations, etc. This “man” is sick and needs help! These are wonderful family pets, and people like him give them a bad name. Oh, and boxers, football players, etc, CHOOSE to participate, the dogs don’t have a say in it. They are trained to attack other dogs, or in his case the dog is put in with an aggressive dog and forced to fight for his life. IT’S NOT A SPORT! P.S. Thank You Rescue Ink for helping defend our puppies!
Dear Dr. Phil,
I am sitting here watching your show about animal abuse and dog fighting. I was the operations manager for the Orlando SPCA and have first hand experience with these victims of their owners. I have tried (sometimes successfully) to rehabilitate some of these dogs that have been put into this “sport” and let me tell you that the physical scars always heal, however sometimes the psychological ones NEVER do. That includes ones for the staff as well. I haven’t worked in that field in over 4 years, but all the horrible memories came flooding back while listening to your “guest” speak. I had to euthanize so many because of injury or unsocial, non-rehabilitative behavior that it also affected me. I would have nightmares of killing my own pets, my family and even myself. Hopefully this show will raise some awareness.
I watched the show yesterday knowing how emotional it would make me and knowing it would break my heart and I could have easily not watched but I feel the animals that are forced to be in these situations deserve someone to know there story and to care. I have three shelter dogs and one happens to be a pit bull mix that we got when he was 12 weeks old he is the best dog I have ever had and is amazingly smart he can count flip a biscuit off his nose and give high fives just to mention three of his favorite tricks… I can’t immagine what his life would have been if he had fallen into the wrong hands; this breed gets such a bad rap from people like this taking their amazing spirits, loyalty, intelligence and eagerness to please and exploiting and abusing it. These babies only want to make their person happy no matter what they are big love bugs and my dog wouldn’y hurt a fly I have never once felt his teeth when giving him a treat even as a baby he is so delicate and gentle it is not in their nature to want to fight when forsed to use there survival instincts they maybe would but that does not mean they want to that means they want to live… i know my dog would have endedup as a bait dog because he just does not have it in him to be malicious and he would not choose that life nor would these others dogs that are forced into it. As for the man on the show I say we toss him in a “box” with no way out against a martial arts fighter that has been trained to be a killer and see what happens i’m sure he wouldn’t mind because it’s not wrong. The whole idea of animals being forced to fight for their lives is disgusting and more needs to be done to those who choose to partake in it, maybe they don’t deserve rights and need to be treated like they treat the animals.
As hard as it was to watch, the show on animal abuse, I truly appreciate Dr. Phil doing a show on this topic. As an avid animal lover, it truly pains me to know there are people out there that don’t realize that it is actual pain the animal is feeling. As a person who has spent the last 14 years of my life promoting better understanding of animals, certifying animal therapy teams, and reading as many books on animal care and “psychology”, I had hoped that humans would have been farther along in understanding the true nature and benefit all animals have for our existence. As a animal therapy evaluator I stress to teams that the humans responsibility is to know when the animal is stressed and to politely exit the therapy session. As a person who has an studied in depth the use of animals in therapy sessions, the focus has always been on the 5 freedoms on animals; one being free from stress. One book that I have begun reading that to me expresses very well what our relationship should be to animals is “The Animal Manifesto” by Marc Bekoff. Bekoff talks about speciesism, about humans views that animals are lower than us, and how we need to overcome this. He also takes it one step further and relates our responsibility to animals to the effects on our environment and survival. I am not sure the shows guest whose belief is that dog fighting is not animal cruelty would ever get this. I think it is our responsibility to raise the awareness of what it truly means to understand animals and to truly provide them with best of all possible lives through proper physical, emotional, spiritual, health care. They give so much to us, it is the least we can give back.
Animal Abuse, it is heart breaking, disgusting and just wrong.
I know people are frustrated with bringing animal abusers to justice. Courts are clogged and the process is slow and sometimes indifferent. Dr. Phil, I am surprised that you support tough guys using their bulling and vigilante style in your face approach to justice. Rescue Ink is more about television and ratings than humane work. Serous problems cannot be fixed during one entertaining TV show.
“Not surprisingly, law-enforcement takes a somewhat dim view. “We don’t encourage people to take the law into their own hands. Doing so could lead to charges against yourself,” Tim Motz, public information director for the Suffolk County Police Department, said in an e-mailed statement. “We advise people to let the proper authorities handle such situations.””
From an interview with JOE PANZ: If we showed up at your door, would it matter if we had cameras with us or not? You are going to do what we say.
Dr. Phil, I wish you had given all the donations you handed out the local humane society. You have a lot of influence out here. Your percieved support and approval of this style of behaviour can ultimately lead to other people using harassment and intimidation, including property damage, trespassing, and even death threats to get what they want. Is this the right way to stop animal abuse?
Thank you Dr. Phil. When I saw the topic of the show I was going to delete it but changed my mind….and now, eyes filled with tears as I embrace my little Cavalier King Charles, Bentley, I am in shock at the horrible cruelty and ridiculous commentary about this being a sport. I forced myself to watch and try to become educated about how someone could think this is OK, but I cannot and willnot ever understand how someone can participate in this type of hideous outlet for misplaced lack of testosterone. Pathetic, disgusting, and I pray that anyone thinking this is a good idea or currently involved in this type of activity get psychological help immediately and remove yourself from our society. I hope that I can move through this horrible slice of someone’s reality and KNOW that this is soon to end.
Hi Dr. Phil,
I know you warned us repeatedly yesterday but man, was that ever a hard show to watch. I covered my eyes so many times for fear of watching something I couldn’t stomach. I honestly cannot take the screaming of that poor dog in the fight out of my mind. As I watched the show, our 15 year old black lab was stretched out in her big cushion bed and I cannot begin to tell you how many times I went over and hugged her almost as if I wanted those hugs to go out to many of the animals who are abused every minute of the day while we go through our busy lives.
I was appalled to hear Rob’s thought process of “killing” dogs if (A) they were hurt, or (B) old or (C) not good enough.
15 years ago, my husband and I made the conscious choice of adopted our dog and trust me, over the years, between the cost of spaying and her regular yearly visits to the vet, she’s had knee surgery and two surgeries removing benign lumps which if not removed would have restricted her mobility.
This last surgery cost us just over $ 2,000 because we sought a specialist in order to guarantee the removal of the lump once and for all. People thought I was crazy since she’s officially beyond her life expectancy but my husbnd and I absolutely couldn’t let her start to suffer, especially in her old age, and chose to spend the money to make her comfortable again and to live the remainder of her life in peace and pain free.
It’s people like this “Rob” who would probably have looked at my dog at 15 as “no good” anymore and put a bullet in her. I wonder how he would feel when he’s in his old age and not feeling “good enough” anymore how he’d want to be treated !
I agree with your viewers comments in that six months in jail was not enough for Rob. It didn’t look like he had any remorse to him whatsoever. As a matter of fact, if I were a betting person, he looked like he would turn around and dog-fight again and again just as long as he wasn’t caught.
Something has to happen to these people (like big time jail time) in order for them to really pay the price and take it on behalf of all the animals they abuse !
I wish I could tell you that I enjoyed your show like I normally do but I understand that a show like this is necessary (A) to educate people like me who think that people wouldn’t do such awful things; and (B) in order to speak for those precious canine and feline guys who give us so much unconditional love and attention.
If you ever put a follow-up article on this blog, would you kindly update us on (A) whether Rob is allowed to have animals again (please say no !); and (B) have all those precious dogs you had on the show adopted (please say yes !).
Thanks, Dr. Phil.
Chris
I also wanted to mention that the Rescue Inc. group I think is exactly the right group of individuals to help rid our country of this problem and who better than people who also often get a bad rap just for misconceived notions that people have so in this case two bennefits for the price on one here we have a group of men that many would fear and assume the worast of working to help free and give a voice to the exact animals that people also assume the worst of because of ignorance and pre-concieved notions that are false… I think it’s a perfect fit and they are again exactly the right voice for these babies that need one!!! All the power to you and amazing work you are doing you all deserve medaly and huggs just like the survivors you rescue.
Dr. Phil,
After a few minutes of watching the first guest on this show, I expected Ashton Kutcher to pop out any second to reveal that we were all being punked! I could not believe that someone actually thinks the way he does!!!!! I agree with you when you say that there’s something wrong with him to be able to justify something so AWFUL! I watched this show while I was getting ready for work and I had to shut it off for a few minutes so I could eat my breakfast – it was literally making me sick to my stomach! After the show, I wanted to drop everything and cook my 2 dogs a big steak and pet & pamper them until my hands were sore.
)Thanks for bringing attention to this matter & for the generous donations you made to the LA SPCA and Rescue Ink – God Bless all of them who work so hard to help these animals in need!
TAKE ACTION! MAKE A REAL DIFFERENCE RIGHT NOW.
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knockoutdogfighting.org
http://www.knockoutdogfighting.org/psas.html
Thank you Dr. Phil. I have always known of dog fighting and it makes me furious, then sad. I live in a population riddled with ignorance. The culture of dog fighters isn’t black and white, but brown too. Many growing up within some cultures don’t see the animals as living creatures, but as status symbols. If you can possibly reach the children, then maybe they won’t grow up being abusers. Most adults that take part in fighting dogs, or even roosters, have long ago, gambled away their souls. I hope that your show aired on 0511 reaches some that have chosen to look away. Where I live, SJ, CA, we are fortunate to have BADRAP as our local heros. Our shelters are full of pit mixes and chihuahua combos. Maybe in the future you could shed light on pet overpopulation and the benefits of spaying and neutering.
i watch your show yesterday on the guy that enjoyed dog fights. i think put him in the pit with the dogs and see how he like the fighting then. let the dogs do to him what he does to them
Dear Dr. Phil,
i watched your show and broke down into tears.
WHY? Would anyone hurt animals? this is so outrageous!!
No one i mean no one should kill or hurt any animal what so ever!
My cat just had kittens and we are giving them away to great home and getting another cat or kitten from a shelter(: what a great idea! This was the best idea ever! I am also thinking of getting a puppy(: You are a great Person, You always know what to do(: Thank you!
I was so upset after watching the show. Just don’t understand how anyone can come out in front of 100’s of people and confess to the world that what they do to dogs like these is okay. I have a pitbull named Ernie. I got him when he was just 6 weeks old. He is the best thing that has happened to me. We are very close and he is just like one of my kids. He has been around my children and other children. I have had him now for about 7 years. I can’t imagine something happening to him or worse someone hurting him. He is a big lover and has a heart. We also have a lab and they get along great. I think people like this are the reason pitbulls never get a chance to prove themselves to the rest of the world cause people like this ruin it for them. Its just not fair and it is abuse and it is cruel. He should be put in a cage with the Rescue Ink guys to fend for himself and see how he likes it. Maybe he would think differently about what he is doing to these poor animals.
It really disturbed me when the guest on your show said that the dog is wagging his tail so he must like fighting. Any animal behaviorist will tell you that wagging a tail does not always mean joy, it has many meanings. In this case , it’s how the dog garners energy to fight. You’ll notice the tail stops when fighting commences and can start again when pulled apart. This is common in a red alert dog, the same dogs that often get put down in shelters because their owners have abused them.
In the dog (animal) world the Alpha is strongest, calm and wise from being learned. He is not a bully at all, just the opposite, he is the inspector and protector of his pack. This sport is making alpha dogs and turning them into monsters which goes against their very essence.
What’s ironic is the folks involved in the sport think they are Alpha types and they are nothing but Bullies themselves, which is why this sport is OK in their eyes. Sick.
Dr Phil,
Watched your show yesterday from good ol Canada, the hole show had me in tears… i think it is absolutely amazing what the guys from rescue INk are doing, and thank you for shedding light on such a dark dark situation for these poor animals. I want to make a comment about the gentleman who was kicking his dog in the elevator… your a disgrace!!!!!!!! And for your father who was trying to justify it by saying u had a bad day… come on we all have bad days… get over it… how dare you! come knock on my door up here and i can show you what a bad day really is… And to the first guy.. to shrug it off when u said you killed over 200 hundred dogs…You should be ashamed of yourself.. your not even worth the words i got for you i’ll tell ya…
I was not able to watch the show because of my work schedule. However, I caught a glimpse of it on the internet. I cannot agree more with some of your other viewers. I have been involved in animals all my life by voluntering at shelters, fostering dogs and working as a vet tech. I cannot imagine these horrible events occuring without much consequences. It is sad that there are not stronger laws to protect animals – there certainly are enough to protect humans. What makes us better than our furry counterparts?? I think that “good ole boy Rob” should get a taste of his own medicine.
Dr. Phil,
I tried to watch your show last night on dog fighting and I could not bare it. This person or any person who does this to a wonderful pet is as bad as a killer or child molestor. They need to have these people put away and have a felony record to follow them and ruin the rest of their lives forever. Or even better put them in a cage and be viciously attacked till death. I know that was really hard but I am a animal lover and recently found out my chocolate lab of almost 10 years will eventually have to be put down when the time comes when he is suffering. I could not consciously make an animal suffer let alone have them killed for fun..I know you are an animal lover too and it just hurts me to see an innocent victim be hurt in anyway…
I just wanted to say thank you for bringing dog fighting up on your show. I have a 5yr old pit bull and he’s totally calm and doesn’t have a mean bone in his body. I am sickened when people see my dog and say…”he’s a killer”. No he’s not, I didn’t raise him like that. I hope the close minded people that say that would realize you train a dog behaviors. I wish there were stricter rules on dog fighting. Where I live it goes on, but the police ignore it. Please do more shows in the future highlighting the misunderstanding of these dogs and their owners.
Dear Dr. Phil,
I missed your show yesterday,and I am so sorry I did! I have heard so much about it tho. I am a RESPONCABLE owner and breeder of AMERICAN PIT BULLS!
These dogs are a one of a kind breed. Raised right they are wonderful family dogs and are champs for life. I have 14 of them,and I would not take a million bucks for any of them!
Thank You so much for the show,I wish more people would do these show’s on our BELOVED PIT BULLS!
Thank YOU again!
Proud PIT BULL OWNER
Sherry
Hi Dr Phil!
Thank-you for giving animal topics airtime to try to make major changes for them in a world where it’s not uncommon for money to hold more importance than life.
It sickens me to think of the disregard anyone can have for another living creature’s feelings – mentally and physically. And I can’t fathom who these people are who patronize these horrific examples of inhumane behavior, let alone those who are actually committing the CRIME.
It’s absolutely the reason behind my endeavor with a children’s book series about rescued animals as I feel that it is up to teachers and parents [and anyone else willing to "step-up] to initiate dialog about animals and proper treatment toward them. Young people need to learn empathy and I can’t see where that is being addressed within the walls of the daycare centers that influence the majority of a child’s day during those most important early years of development.
I am looking for ways to promote this (and my books of course), and I want to jump on with you and others I hear doing big things to change matters for animal welfare issues.
Heidi S.
Dr. Phil:
I too want to thank you for bringing dog fighting to the public eye. These animals are obviously not protected enough by laws. I did watch your show in tears (that’s without watching any videos as I had to shut them off) and I’m shocked that dog “fighters” can even remotely call this a sport. I commend the men with Rescue Ink for what they are doing and can only hope more groups of people like them form across the U.S. to put a stop to this abuse. I am angered and appauled over this subject. What can we do to help? What can a “regular” person do to help stop this? Government petitions? Volunteering my time? Please advise!
Thanks
Thank you Dr Phil for shining a light once again on the horrible mistreatment of dogs by fighting. Also a big thanks for not going along with the typical media hype that Pit Bulls are inherently evil/mean dogs. I have 2 and they are so loving and loyal.
Dr Phil
I missed your show yesterday and am not sure of the true nature of it although I believe it was mostly about dogfighting and the atrocities of the cruel and inhumune event that some people call sport. I am a devoted animal lover that has 2 rescued dogs and a cat. While I am concerned for the welfare of all animals that includes fighting,neglect,puppy mills and every ignorant/mean thing a person can subject a helpless to I have never seen a show on the small animal control centers of places like small towns such as mine. I live in a small town in Alabama where the animals are kept for maybe 3 days then they killed and put in our garbage dump as the shelter is attached to our dump. Dogs,cats,kittens,& puppies are just knocked in the head and killed on a daily basis to keep from having to feed them and they are to cheap to euthonize them. The shelter looks cleaned up but I have never seen the animals fed. or last longer than a few days and then they are gone. I have asked them about this but cannot seem to get a true answer. This drives me crazy, is there anything I can do to help these poor animals. I wish I could take them all home and save them but that is just unrealistic as I am poor and on a fixed income. Maybe you or one of your producers (or anyone who reads this) could help me think of something. Thanx for your time.
O.K. so what do we do now?
I am sick and feel helpless. This abuse cannot go on. I live in a rural area where we rarely see these kinds of activities.
How do I get involved?
What can I do to HELP?
I would agree that Iwould very much like to see and update this issue in the future…I am still thinking of the horrible images that were shown in yesterday’s show…
Thank you Dr. Phil and family for airing this show. I was distrubed and yet captivated. It is beyond my comprehension how a person can harm a helpless animal. I would just think that these people hurt really bad inside. I own 4 precious dogs. They are my family…and God Bless the INK group who rescue abused and negleted animals..
They are truly angels!
Kudos to you Dr. Phil for bringing these issues to light!
One thing (of the many things) the “professional dog fighter” said that bothered me was that he thought these dogs wanted to fight- thus, justifying his opinion that dogfighting is humane. From what I understand of dogs, they are generally aggressive if they are extremely stressed, highly insecure or experiencing anxiety.
Wasn’t able to catch the first 10 min– did you have a legitimate dog professional on the show to clarify animal behavior??
Thanks again for giving animals a voice
I have been a animal lover all my life and it saddens me, no, sickens me, to see people like you had on your show yesterday. How anyone can say dog fighting is nothing more than a sport and then compare it to other sports is ridiculous! Dogs don’t make the decision to fight, it’s stupid people that make that decision to force them to fight. Everything you said on your show is so true and I commend you for bringing this topic up. I hope you will do it more often. Expose the people that are cruel to animals, expose the people that are animal hoarders, anything that has to do with animal cruelty should be out there and maybe, just maybe these people will see the light that they are wrong. People can justify animal cruelty all they want but they are kidding themselves. Animals have feelings and we, as humans, are the caretakers of all animals. They don’t have a voice, we have to speak and stand up for them. Just in the last few weeks I am sickened to hear about all the animal cruelty going on right now. A poodle seizure in Virginia of 34 neglected, filthy, sick, flea infested, inhumane living conditions…a story about 350 dogs at an SPCA in Canada being euthanized due to having ringworm (a treatable condition)…and then your show on dog fighting. In my opinion the animal cruelty laws are just not strict enough to deter people from stopping these atrocities. If the law says 12 years in jail, then it should be 12 years in jail, not 12 years suspended and 2 years probation. The people that get charged with animal cruelty are getting a slap on the wrist, it’s no wonder they go out and do it all over again as soon as they can. Dogs are the most forgiving animals, they trust people and to see them being abused and then go back to the abuser (as in that clip of the man kicking the dog on the elevator) it is heart wrenching. There is NO excuse! Supposedly that man was under stress, well too bad, deal with it, but not by taking frustrations out on an animal. That man, whoever he was should have been charged with animal cruelty. I hope after seeing your show it has made people think the next time they suspect any kind of animal cruelty, call the authorities. It took one person to have the woman in Virginia investigated and that one phone call saved 34 lives! There’s a saying I wrote years ago that says it all:
“When we can all embrace those who cannot speak…when we can feel the love they have for us…when we can return their love and faithfulness with kindness and respect…maybe then the world will be a better place”
~~Fran Boppe~~
Dear Dr.Phil,
Thank you so much for speaking up & for not supporting animal abuse.
I will never understand how someone can enjoy hurting an animal.
I believe that people that abuse animals could also abuse humans too.
The man on your show that says he enjoys dogfighting is just plain evil.
Animals give such unconditional love and should never have to be mistreated.I could not believe the guy in the video that kicked the dog. That video just broke my heart. The man did not look upset to me, I think he just wanted to mistreat a dog. I wish the laws were stronger against animal abuse. The abusers know that all they get is slap on the hand. Look at Michael Vick, he did his time but was allowed back on to NFL team.
I really hope the beautiful dogs that were on the adoption part of your show find a loving forever home.Please continue to keep up the great work and for having a voice for the abused animals.And to Rescue Ink, I read your book and think you guys are blessing to animals. I wish more people cared about animals.
Thank you Dr.Phil and Rescue Ink
Dr Phil,
Unfortunately, I was not able to watch you show yesterday but learned about it through facebook. Thank you for putting a show like this on for people to see because I think that it’s important for the bull dog/pitbull breeds! I have to “pitbulls” and they are the sweetest dogs I have ever owned and my husband and I both said that we will probably never own another breed. They are loyal, kind hearted, loving and only want your attention IN A GOOD WAY! Like every breed, these dogs learn only what they are taught so they will fight if they are taught to, BUT so would a lab, rat terrier or any breed that was taught to do so! I believe that you get out of this world, what you put in it so for those people that think it’s ok or cook to fight dogs, I feel sure that they will feel the same fear some day that those poor, sad, unloved dogs have felt and I hope they feel it 10 times over. They deserve what they have coming! I love my pits and really appreciate your show!! Thanks!
I seen this show on Dr. Phil. I was sick to think that some people are actually sick enough to think dogs enjoy fighting to their death. If the poor dead dog had a chance to talk, do you think it would say “yes, I want to die” I don’t think so. It fights to keep from being killed, not that it likes it. It crys cause it is in pain, not that it is scared. I would love for someone to do the same to the animal abusers as they do to the animals and see what if they like it. Put this man in a pen with a trained fighter and let him be beat to death and see if he is yapping because he is scared or hurting with pain. Let someone get his CHILD and put it against the fighter and see if he complains. That is what this man did, took a poor defenseless loving animal that never knew meanness and put it with a killer.
I watched the show about animal abuse in shock and horror, while sitting with my toy poodle on my lap. But I was absolutely brought to tears when you showed the episode of the man in the elevator kicking the dog over and over, and the dog showing its love by coming back when the man patted his leg, only to be kicked again. And the father excuses that behavior by stating he had a bad day and had lost his job???? How is that an excuse for that kind of treatment. I would like to know if the man was ever punished and the dog removed from his “care”.
Thank you Dr. Phil. You told it the way it is. These kind of monsters are not good enough to breath air. The guy that kicked the little dog,the same thing sound be done to him. And the dog fighter what a weak man,in mind,body,soul.
I am writing regarding an incident I had with a Pitbull..Last year I was walking my 2yr old cockapoo and I Pitbull and a Rottweiller were loose and came up and attacked my dog, later killing her…The Rott bit her on the back after the Pitbull went for her throat…It had her in such a grip that there were 4 of us trying to do anything we could to make it let go of my dog..My husband was riding his bicycle and picked the bicycle up and dropped it on the dogs head, I was kicking it in the ribs and 2 other people tried helping, 1 person was punching it as hard as he could and the other had a pole and he was hitting the Pitbull and it still would not let go…It then proceeeded to take my dog across the street where it finally dropped her as it lay in a pool of blood…The dog then proceeded to get into a neighbors house because the door was open as the people were trying to help us and it began to terrorize that family..The owner finally came and got the dog…This dog was a shelter dog, which I believe was prob abused as some point in it’s life..The 2 dogs were put down( I made sure of that)..I don’t understand why people would want these type of dogs that have this reputation…The owners of these 2 dogs(the Pit and Rott) have since gotten another Pitbull and it’s a shelter dog to boot..I have gotten another dog and I am petrified to walk her…I carry mace with me and if I hear or see another dog, I pick her up…This has completely traumatized me…I was brought up with dogs and love them but now I am petrified of them…I have tried to get help regarding this matter and to try and stop the breeding of these dogs but no one could be bothered…My town was negligent through the whole process and it makes me sick that people just don’t care…When I called 911 at the time of the incident, all the dispatcher asked was, is it a human being attacked?…I live 2 minutes from the police station and it took about 20 minutes before anyone even came…There were numerous calls from neighbors and they just didn’t feel it was a priority, the fact that this monster could have attacked and killed more animals or even people at this point, it just didn’t phase them..These dogs need to be stopped…Once they bite, their jaws lock and are so strong that they WILL KILL..The fact that animals can snap at any time, Pitbulls are DANGEROUS and should NOT be pets…The only reason most people have them is for protection, so they will train them to be vicious…When I called the local newspaper, they were going to do a story until they talked to the city and all of a sudden changed their minds…They claim it’s because the lady had paid the vet bills but when I spoke to them, I never mentioned anything about suing because I knew the vet bills were paid for…I believe they didn’t publish it because it’s the family of a police officer…that’s not right..I would love to get a law in effect, in memory or my dog Sadie, to ban the breeding of Pitbulls and if caught, imprisonment…When you see them, it’s like looking at a murderer, same thing…If you can help anyway, I would be eternally grateful…I wanted to watch the Pitbull segment yeaterday but couldn’t get myself to…I can’t believe that there would be a judge out there that would deem banning the breeding of them unconstitutional but let them continue to maul children, adults, animals….This society is sad!!!
Thank you…Barbara
Dear Dr. Phil,
I did not get a chance to see your show yesterday, but I have received so many calls and emails about it – telling me to watch it.
I own three rescued pitbulls – one from the pound, one from the streets, and one from a home that couldn’t handle her. They are the most loving animals I have ever had the privledge to experience. I have delt with the funny looks, the ridicule comments, and the accusations that I am “breading dogs to kill” just becuase I own a pit bull – from the ingnorant people out there that think all pit bulls are bad.
These same people neglect to do the research and see that pit bulls are one of the best scoring dogs on the temperment test – comparing with the golden retriever. These same people neglect to see that pit bulls have never been used to kill humans, as other dogs have been used.
Pit Bulls are victims of malice human intent. I applaud you for taking on such a topic and I encourage you to continue these efforts. Why or why do so many places have a pit bull only ban? Why does my insurance company charge me so much to love these animals? Why can’t more people take the steps that you have taken to educate people of all kinds. Thank you dr. phil, from my three loving pitties!
I am so happy to see someone like Dr Phil taking a stand against animal abuse and dog fighting. Someone who thinks that dog fighting is a “sport” and who think its ok should be put in the ring to fight like the dogs do and be put ona lesh for days at a time with a 20 ft chain. To all the dog fighters and animal abusers out there remember what goes around comes around and one day you will get yours. I am a dog lover as is my whole family and it is heart breaking to see the videos on animal abuse and those people have to hit on a dog are people who need to be LOCKED UP. Thats about all I have to say about that, well I have a lot more to say but I dont think it can be posted….