ASPCA Wants You to #GetTough on Dog Fighting

by Mary Simpson

Published: April 5th, 2017

aspca wants you to gettough on dog fighting

It’s time to on dog fighting. Raise your voice on social media during National Dog Fighting Awareness Day on April 8 with the ASPCA.

The fight is on, and it isn’t just between the poor victimized dogs who have been born and raised to engage in the blood sport of dog fighting, it’s between the creeps who organize these events and a nation of animal advocates who are standing up to say NO MORE via

While dog fighting is a felony in all 50 states, it still takes place whether in back alleys or carefully staged enterprises with dogs who are conditioned to fight through the use of drugs that include anabolic steroids to build muscles and promote aggression. These poor creatures are raised in utter isolation, with ears crudely cropped and tails docked to eliminate body parts other dogs can grab and tear during a fight. Teeth are often filed down to make them extra sharp and lethal and as a result, animals receive horrific injuries that they often succumb to. Those that lose face execution or being simply discarded.

The ASPCA estimates there are tens of thousands of dog fighters in the U.S., forcing hundreds of thousands of dogs to train, fight, and suffer every year.

Feeling sick? Then step up to help.

National Dog Fighting Awareness Day is April 8 but the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) is turning the entire month of April into an awareness-building social media campaign.

Partnered with actor Patrick Stewart (of Star Trek fame) the ASPCA is urging animals lovers across the country to take to their social media channel of choice and post photos of themself with their favorite pooch, flexing their arm muscle in solidarity of this important cause. Include your favorite pooch in the photo, verbiage as suggested below and the hashtag .

Today I’m helping the @ASPCA fight for victims of dog fighting. Let’s on this ugly crime: aspca.org/GetTough
Join the @ASPCA on National Dog Fighting Awareness Day and on this cruel practice: aspca.org/GetTough

You can also visit the ASPCA’s website to sign a personal pledge that you will be ever diligent in watching for signs of this horrible sport and will always advocate for an animal’s well- being. This was a no-brainer for me and I hope it will be the same for you.

Mary Simpson

Sharing space with three seriously judgy Schnoodles and a feline who prefers to be left alone. #LivingMyBestLife

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Help save dogs from the fighting ring by urging the Justice Department to pursue more dog fighting cases! It’s a despicable crime that was outlawed in all states back in 1976 and carries felony level penalties including potentially multi-year prison sentences and fines. Yet lax enforcement of these laws means continued suffering for dogs recruited to fight and certain death for smaller pets stolen to be used as “bait”. Enter the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA). Their commitment to fight alongside the U.S. Department of Justice to give renewed traction to these laws will mean pursuing and aggressively prosecuting the creeps who seek to gain financially from the pain and suffering of these defenceless victims. Related: Kentucky One Step Closer To Outlawing Dog Fighting Over the years, the ASPCA has teamed with federal law enforcement and prosecutors to close down dog fighting rings and punish the criminals. Just last year they prosecuted 10 federal dog fighting cases and secured the longest sentence (8 years) ever received in a federal dog fighting case. Bravo! Related: Animals Can Now Be Considered Victims In The Eyes Of The Law They’re already moving in the right direction so how do we help them ensure 2015 brings more justice for those who cannot speak for themselves? Get involved and Tell the Department of Justice that you are disgusted by this activity and you not only support prosecution of these individuals but you want to see the tables turned and that they are hunted down! Let them know you want to them to on Dog Fighting! And be sure to visit the official petition page to sign ASPCA’s letter to the Department of Justice asking it to prosecute dog fighters with greater frequency this year and in the years to come. ASPCA will present a full file of all signatures to the Department of Justice so the more of us that sign, the greater impact we will have! And be sure to share this message – add the hashtag to your social media updates and let people know where you stand on dog fighting.

How Often Do Dogs Need to Go Out to Pee?

When nature calls, dogs answer. And when dogs answer, so do you – by taking them outside to do their business. In other words, if you have a potty-trained dog, they will rely on you to know when their bladder is full or at least to take them out frequently enough so it doesn’t get full in the first place. This leaves most owners with the question – how often do dogs need to go out to pee? You don’t want them to have an accident inside the home but you probably don’t want to take them out for a walk every hour or so (even if you did have the time for it) so it’s important to find the right balance. Here’s what you need to know so you can make it work for you and your dog.How Often Do Dogs Pee?The frequency at which dogs need to go out to pee can vary depending on several factors, including their age, breed, size, activity level, and overall health. In general, you can use the following guidelines as a starting point, but it's important to pay attention to your individual dog's needs and adjust accordingly. Sometimes, it’s enough to just observe the signs your dog gives you, like nudging you or standing by the door. But at other times, it requires a bit of “intervention”. When it comes to the connection between a dog’s age and their peeing habits, the younger the pooch, the more they need to go out. Puppies have smaller bladders and higher metabolisms, so they typically need to go out more frequently. A general rule of thumb is to take a puppy out every 1 to 2 hours, especially after eating, drinking, playing, or waking up from a nap. Make sure to let them know why you are going out so they’ll gradually relate walkies with peeing time.Adult dogs, on the other hand, can usually hold their bladders for longer periods. Most adult dogs need to go out every 4 to 6 hours. Some larger breeds may have more bladder capacity and can hold it longer, while smaller breeds may need to go out more frequently, so have that in mind too. Of course, as dogs age, their ability to hold their bladders may decrease. Senior dogs may need to go out more frequently, potentially every 3 to 4 hours. What is more, some senior dogs may suffer from incontinence, meaning that they can’t really control when or where they pee. In this case, you could  use disposable dog diapers until their condition improves or in periods when you’re not there to take them out more frequently and prevent accidents.

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