ASCHAE’s DogBlog

Source: PR.com, September 26, 2009

For Pits’ Sake, Inc. today announced the launch of the award-winning Knock Out Dog Fighting program in Dothan, Alabama. “We are excited to have the opportunity to share the best practices of our anti-dog fighting program so our success can be replicated in Alabama,” said Kris Crawford, Founder of the Knock Out Dog Fighting program.

The Knock Out Dog Fighting program is an unprecedented youth intervention program created to stop the cycle of violence by combating the cruel and inhumane activity of dog fighting. “Dog fighting is a popular activity with street gangs,” said Crawford. “If we can get kids out of gangs and prevent more from getting involved, that helps reduce the number of kids involved in dog fighting.”

Former City of Dothan Magistrate and certified canine behaviorist Renee Jones-Lewis is the Knock Out Dog Fighting program director in Alabama. Renee serves on the Board of Directors for the Alabama Canine Coalition and Save-A-Pet at the Dothan Animal Shelter, and also runs K9 Connections, the kennel and rescue facility utilized by For Pits’ Sake. K9 Connections often times cares for and rehabilitates pit bulls rescued from cruelty and abuse situations and law enforcement raids.

“As a former Magistrate for the City of Dothan, I saw, on a daily basis, what learning about life on the ‘streets’ can do to the impressionable minds of the youth of today,” said Renee. “Children learn from their adult role models and when those role models are proponents of dog fighting, children learn that violence and cruelty are the norm.”

Dothan is located in Houston County, Alabama, where a record 102-year prison sentence was handed to dog fighter Johnny Ray Lewis in November 2007. He was sentenced six years in prison for each of the 17 felony counts a jury found him guilty of at his trial. Renee was an expert witness for the case and also led the fight to have the dogs seized in the raid individually evaluated and temperament tested instead of systematically euthanized.

Knock Out Dog Fighting has created youth intervention programs for schools, community centers and juvenile detention facilities that help at-risk youth make better choices, develop self-respect and healthy lifestyles – which reduces involvement in gang-related activities like dog fighting. Dog fighting is a form of animal abuse and research shows that there is a marked correlation between those who abuse animals and those who go on to commit violent crimes against people. The Knock Out Dog Fighting program incorporates humane education into every class to help children and young adults learn to develop a greater understanding of the human-animal bond, empathy for animals, and positive reinforcement training. The program teaches them that there is a humane way to work with animals, and in turn, a more positive and humane way to approach life in general. These kids learn that they can achieve what they set out to do using positivity and kindness instead of anger and violence.

For more information about the award-winning Knock Out Dog Fighting program and how you can help stop cruelty and abuse, go to www.KnockOutDogFighting.org

About Knock Out Dog Fighting (www.KnockOutDogFighting.org)
Knock Out Dog Fighting is a youth intervention program developed by the 501(c)3 nonprofit organization For Pits’ Sake, Inc. to stop cruelty and abuse. Founded in 1997, For Pits’ Sake is a leader in the community for both human and animal rescue, humane education, safety programs and therapy work with battered/abused and special needs children. As world-famous search and rescue dogs, the For Pits’ Sake pit bulls responded to over 200 search missions including high profile cases such as the search for Laci Peterson and the Space Shuttle Columbia disaster.The Knock Out Dog Fighting has formed partnerships with several community organizations and law enforcement agencies to stop cruelty to both animals and children.

For Pits’ Sake, Inc. has received numerous awards for their work in the community including a Jefferson Award – The Nobel Prize for Community Service, the American Red Cross Real Hero Award, the President of the United States Lifetime Volunteer Service Award, the United Animal Nations Animals Choice Award, the NSAL Heroism Award, a Certificate and Letter of Achievement from the FBI, Certificates of Appreciation from County Supervisors, Senators and Assembly members, and a letter from the Governor of CA stating they “demonstrate the true strength of California.”

Contact Information:

Knock Out Dog Fighting
Cristi Derenzi
408-813-7487
info@knockoutdogfighting.org
www.KnockOutDogFighting.org
www.ForPitsSake.org