Illegal dog fighting concerns

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Elkhart, IN
Reporter: Stephanie Stang
Email Address: stephanie.stang@wndu.com

19 comments

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The news of NFL star Michael Vick's indictment of dog fighting could serve as a wake-up call to the dangers in your own neighborhood.

At the Elkhart County Humane Society, they say it is not just a problem on a national scale, but a local one as well.

The pit bull breed is the most common breed they take in and last year half of them were injured, typically from a fight.

Recently the Elkhart County Humane Society even seized a treadmill that one owner was using to allegedly train his dogs, so they could build endurance to fight.

Shelter Director Eric Durcinka says that he hopes this national story will bring some awareness to a problem that is happening in Michiana.

“Unfortunately, we let it get to a point where it is so bad that we cannot ignore it anymore. Hopefully it's getting to a point though where people are so upset they will do something,” says Durcinka.

In Indiana and Michigan it is a felony offense to operate a dog fighting ring.

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Comments are posted from viewers like you and do not always reflect the views of this station.

Posted by: PATRICIA BLANTON Location: SO.BEND,IND. on Sep 17, 2008 at 06:29 PM
MY DAUHTER IS TRYING TO FIND HER DOG SHE THOUGHT SHE GAVE HIM TO A GOOD HOME TURNS OUT THEY RAISE HIM TO FIGHT OTHER DOGS AND AS A RESULT HE HAD TO GET HIS LEG AMPUTATED. HE WAS SUCH A LOVING DOG. HE KEPT RUNNING AWAY COSTING MY DAUGHTER LOTS OF MONEY. SO SHE GAVE HIM TO SOMEONE WHOM SHE THOUGHT LOVED HIM TOO.

Posted by: rhue on Jul 8, 2008 at 05:39 AM
i think dog fighting is awfull they should get done for making dogs fight

Posted by: stepnen Location: syracuse on Mar 9, 2008 at 09:42 PM
dogfighting when done properly it is no more brutal than two grown men beating the hell out of each other in a MMA fight,in fact MMA fights are more brutal becauce the fighters have a larger brain capacity.

Posted by: family with kids Location: Plymouth on Jul 21, 2007 at 06:01 PM
I have to say we have a pit bull and have had him since he was 4 weeks old. We have 4 children and he has been raised with them, he is the most gentle laid back dog we have ever had. He would not harm a fly. He never meets a stranger when we are around, and he is never left outside when we are not around. We have a locked fence, and our kids lay with him. He will how ever bark and let us know when someone is at the door. To him that is a stranger. And this is what he is suppose to do. We have had Rottweilers in the past and the same goes for them. People that do this to dogs should have the same done to them. Very sad to treat something so beautiful so badly. Mr. Vick needs to be punished. Thank you!!!

Posted by: Joshua Location: South Bend, IN on Jul 21, 2007 at 12:14 PM
Talk about a crazy and sick individual. I know there is a hot place in hell waiting for this cruel man when he dies! Dogs are a part of God's creation here on Earth. They should not be treated like dirt. The grim video clips of dogs fighting each other that I have seen on several news channels makes me sick!! Every animal owner should treat animals like they do their own children "WITH RESPECT." I hope Michael Vick loses his fame in the NFL! People who do these bogus things need serious help!

Posted by: Deann Location: Mishawaka on Jul 20, 2007 at 01:27 PM
It is sad that people use dogs or roosters for "sport". What is even worse is that people like Michael Vick will probably get a slap on the wrist. I hope the judge, who gets this case, saw Michael Vick on tv the other day. He said that no matter what the outcome is, he will always be loved by people because he is Michael Vick. I say he's sick. Enough with "celebrities" getting away with heinous crimes!

Posted by: Norris on Jul 20, 2007 at 01:24 PM
I agree with what I think Tabitha is trying to say. I do think she should take a spelling/typing/punctuation course. That was alot to fit into one sentence!

Posted by: Lindsay Price on Jul 20, 2007 at 11:51 AM
I think thats anyone who could do this to an animal would also have no problem doing it to a human being. If so this person is a menace and a danger to society. These poor animals did nothing to deserve this harsh treatment. Pitbulls already have a bad rep. and these dog "trainers" are not helping that rep. at all because once a dog is that way, they are to dangerous to return a normal, healthy atmosphere. They could never be adopted by a caring family.I think that these people should face the death penalty.

Posted by: outraged Location: elkhart on Jul 20, 2007 at 11:42 AM
I am outraged at the cruelty to amimals and I want to do more than just comment on it. please give us ways that we can help stop this and make sure that people guilt of it are punished the sever way those poor loving animals are.

Posted by: Tee Location: South Bend on Jul 20, 2007 at 10:29 AM
They should have the death penalty for people like Mike Vick. How did his disgraceful mother raise such a madman? Once a project thug, always a project thug. Let us hope that Mr. Vick loses his career over this.

Posted by: Anne Location: South Bend on Jul 20, 2007 at 08:45 AM
I have to agree with Tabitha I had a full blooded Pitt Bull. He was the sweetest dog I have ever had. He loved kids never once bit or even snapped at anyone even when he didn't know them. Just jumped and licked. Its how you treat and what you teach your animals, that makes them act the way they do. Dogs are living creatures just like us and need to be treated as so. This is an eye opening story for many people.

Posted by: Upset Location: South Bend on Jul 20, 2007 at 07:42 AM
I wish that we would be given information we can use on what we can do to STOP this horrible treatment of life. I read these stories and I have nightmares but I don't know what "I" can do to stop this inhumane treatment that is going on with animals. I know if I saw it happening, I would take EXTREME action but since I don't hang around these LOW-CLASS people that are involved in animal fights, I don't know what I can do. Please give us information to fight this HORRIBLE treatment of LIFE.

Posted by: Teresa Location: Louisville, Kentucky on Jul 20, 2007 at 12:18 AM
I think he should have to serve time, and pay a huge fine, well over a million dollars, to the Humane Society in the state where it happened, and also, I feel like, this should be the end of his career, hes done anyway, cut him loose. What a creep, if I were the judge on the case, I would have him locked away for 5yrs....... and throw away the key..... Makes me sick, Teresa Hartnett

Posted by: Jamie Location: Niles, MI on Jul 19, 2007 at 11:31 PM
I have been around dogs that were used as "bait" in dog fights and it is so sad to see how their character is crushed. My sister fostered a dog just like this and his face was all scared and he was so sad. I would love to put an end to this...

Posted by: Linda on Jul 19, 2007 at 09:19 PM
If Mr. Durcinka would have his officers spending time looking into this problem instead of hassling people that are taking GOOD care of their dogs and threatening them with fines, they may not have as large a problem as he admits they do. "“Unfortunately, we let it get to a point where it is so bad that we cannot ignore it anymore." What does that quote tell you? It tells me that the Humane Society officers aren't doing their job correctly. I think Mr. Durcinka needs to spend more time training his officers as to what is acceptable and needed instead of setting them loose to do as they choose and make malicious remarks to a woman who loves the dogs she has and makes sure they're taken care of.

Posted by: star Location: elhart on Jul 19, 2007 at 09:15 PM
i think people who use dogs for fighting should have to due more than serving a year or two in jail.

Posted by: tabatha Location: south bend on Jul 19, 2007 at 08:30 PM
this is ridiculous people picking on poor innocent animals and these people are the reason people pick certain breeds to be so scared of because people dont treat animals like they are part of the family there is a whole list of animals that are "vicous" and they arent if given a loving enviroment and raised as a family member not a cruel vicous animal i have 2 chow mixes and i had a pit bull rott chow mix and he was the greatest dog alive so well behaved. the way people treat dogs and do this to animals sickens me it just irrates me to no belief. if you ask me i think mike vick needs to be treated like the way he treated these poor innocent animals who didnt know no better

Posted by: Amber Location: Tampa, FL on Jul 19, 2007 at 08:04 PM
I hope Michael Vick hangs just like the poor dogs that hung to their death. They are helpless creatures God puts on this earth to share with us and people like his ugly self do stuff like this to them. I hope he dies!!!

Posted by: Anne on Jul 19, 2007 at 07:50 PM
Thank you for reporting on the inhumane practice of dog fighting. Please note, however, that, contrary to popular belief, "pit bulls" are not a breed of dog but a group, like "terriers" or "hounds".