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Protesters Say Dogfighting Is the Pits

October 1, 2009

Dogfighting

About 20 animal-right protesters held a rally on Sept. 29 opposite the Bronx Supreme Court on East 161st Street, to bring attention to the trial that was due to start that morning, involving five men charged with dogfighting offenses.

The men were arrested in June 2008, when police raided a suspected dogfighting ring at a house on East 179th Street near Morris Avenue. Sixteen pit bulls were rescued, though one died shortly afterwards from its injuries.

“It’s despicable,” said Laura Kramer, a protestor from the non-profit group United Action for Animals (UAA). “If you can’t treat an animal with dignity, how do you expect to treat people, a child?”

“This stems from ignorance and machismo,” said Jennifer Panton, UAA’s president.

Attempting to garner a reaction from the public, the group held signs with graphic images of badly bitten dogs.

“This case is extremely important, that’s why we’re here,” said Debra Martensen from Franklin Lakes Animal Hospital in New Jersey. “We’re going to keep watching. I hope they get the book thrown at them for what they did to those poor animals.”

“Hopefully, neighbors of dogfighters can feel confident about taking action [as a result of this case],” added Belisa Vranich, a renowned psychologist and author, and a member of UAA.

Holding a small pug, Vranich said pit bulls are not the only dogs affected by the crime. Other pets are also at risk, as many are snatched for bait. Martensen said dogfights can lead to attacks on people. Pit bulls are not aggressive by nature; they become so through fighting, she said.

Of the dogs rescued last year, at least five were euthanatized because they were deemed dangerous by the city’s Center for Animal Care & Control, according to the UAA. Of the others, some have been successfully adopted, while some are still waiting for a loving family to take them in.

Three of the men, including the alleged ringleader Alexander Estephane, who lives in the house that was raided, face felony charges for organizing the fights. The two others have been charged with misdemeanors for watching.

To the frustration of the protesters, the trial didn’t get going that morning after all. A judge rescheduled it for Oct. 19 because a defense attorney was ill. “It’s frustrating to being everyone out here, and it’s disheartening,” Panton said.

By LINSEY ISAACS

Written by admin · Filed Under Latest, News/Features 

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One Response to “Protesters Say Dogfighting Is the Pits”

  1. Jail for Dogfighting Ringleader : Mount Hope Monitor on April 5th, 2010 2:23 pm

    [...] articles: Protesters Say Dogfighting Is the Pits Dogfighting Ring [...]

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