Off the Chain

My excellent friend, Lori, loaned several documentaries to me recently. One of them, Off the Chain, is especially appropriate now as the Animal Fighting Prohibition Enforcement Act is part of the bill that was sent back to the house for further discussion and banter. You know that dog in the Little Rascals? The one with the circle around his eye? That's a pit bull. I had no idea. I had no idea, before this film, that this particular breed has a brilliant history saving the lives of people and aiding their masters even if it meant their own demise. These are fiercely loyal and committed animals. But as some humans have inherent to their very existence a need to twist the nature of things into something horrible and destructive, these animals are now banned in many areas through, of course, no fault of their own. The film was graphic with a couple of idiot “experts” claiming to love their dogs and to being devoted to them, all the while destroying the ones that do not perform to expectation (the shame this animal has brought on his owner can cause him to be executed via electrocution for all the spectators to see), pumping them full of steroids, playing amateur veterinarian, and turning devotion, competitiveness, and commitment into a bloody, revolting spectacle bringing loads of cash for the owners.

"They love it" "they want to be in the box"......you keep telling yourself that, loser boy, and keep referencing boxing as if there is any comparison whatsoever. The film is enthralling, horrifying, yet captivating because, as with all subversive and covert subjects, we know so little, and hear even less. It is pitiful that people turn these beautiful animals into something so aberrant for their own profit and the entire breed suffers.

If you have a chance – check this film out. And for those of you who feel you are too squeamish, who find it too disturbing or upsetting – give me a break. Do you think this doesn't upset people that view it? By not witnessing, you allow it to continue, because it will remain underground, unseen, undisturbed. If you view it, brave soul, it will be a part of you and your actions. Then it might inspire you to do something about it. Don’t we avert our eyes enough in this country? Don’t we plod along worrying about our personal issues – what to have for dinner, stressing over our careers, paying taxes, maintaining our vehicles, safeguarding our children – so absorbed that we allow hugely cataclysmic issues to bead up and roll off our oily skin like water? If you don’t look, will it not exist? These things are going on and if you really want to do something continue reading and then act.

Animal Fighting Prohibition Enforcement Act:

Sponsored by Rep. Mark Green (R-WI), this bill increases penalties to a felony level for the interstate traffic in animals for dog fighting, cockfighting, and hog-dog fights and the barbaric weapons used in cockfights. This is important because prosecutors are reluctant to spend time and money on misdemeanor cases, which animal fighting is in a lot of areas..
Please check to see if your U.S. Representative is already a co-sponsor of this bill. If so, please make a short phone call to his or her office to express your thanks. You can reach your U.S. Representative through the Capitol switchboard at 202-225-3121, or click here to look up his or her phone number. If your U.S. Rep. is not yet a co-sponsor, please send a message asking him or her to help put an end to animal fighting by co-sponsoring the Animal Fighting Prohibition Enforcement Act.