Alert 7/29/07                Requiem for a Fighting Dog

 

The rally/vigil on Thursday in Richmond was what we had hoped it to be and more.  Thank you to all who came, to those who worked so hard arranging it, and to those who were with us in spirit.

 

With all the pockets of people in the area, we think about 100 attended from VVAW/VAW.  There were other groups, notably PETA.  We estimate there were about 700-1000 people in total and a handful of dogs.  A few were there to support Michael Vick.  The crowd was very well-mannered.  And the number of trucks representing the media was much higher than we anticipated, so there surely was sufficient coverage of the event.

 

The Capital Police were particularly vigilant and ensured that everything was peaceful.  One member of the Capital Police detachment was especially supportive of our effort and complimented us on our demeanor, somberness, and message.

 

What we did was for the dogs – the dogs of Surry County now dead or in custody, almost surely to be killed after legal proceedings are complete.  And it was also for dogs elsewhere in Virginia and the United States made to do what those without compassion make them do. 

 

This was for them, and now we invite you to memorialize your thoughts.  We would like to have a remembrance from you, whether you attended or not, that becomes part of our website.  Please send us your words.  It needn’t be long, and in fact, shouldn’t be.  Say what it meant to you and what you want to happen next.  You may give your name or you may be anonymous.

 

We will post what you send, but will not post anything inflammatory or tantamount to denying Mr. Vick’s right to a presumption of innocence.  This is about dogs.  This is a requiem for dogs made to fight and suffer beyond our comprehension, suffering that will continue until we are successful in eliminating dogfighting.

 

In addition, we seek as many as possible to work actively and immediately to eliminate dogfighting and blood sport in general.  Our goal is to have an active and productive group in each Virginia jurisdiction.  Right now there is a group in Richmond working on this.  The Richmond group can be expanded, but of more urgency, we want other groups around the state that will follow the lead of the Richmond group.

 

Let us know if you want to participate.

 

The work will not be easy, and there will be a lot of it.  Included may be

1.   collecting information about dogfighting and animal abuse in your jurisdiction

3.   speaking at local organizations about the problem

4.   interaction with elected officials regarding dogfighting

5.   interaction with ACOs, local vets, humane investigators

6.   writing letters to papers

7.   approaching candidates for the November election for commitments on this issue if they win election, and for those who pledge to help, work to elect them.

 

You needn’t do all of this, but you must be willing to do some or a great deal of it if this effort is to be successful with impact beyond Richmond and a handful of surrounding counties.

 

This is a long way to say we need you to work on this, but this is only for those who will really work and who are self-starters.  We and the Richmond group will provide all the guidance we can, but we cannot be everywhere in the state.

 

If you don’t have the time or perhaps do not have the stomach (there are some very good people who cannot work this for the images it brings), find another way to help.  One way certainly is to contribute to VAW, our tax-deductible “c3” group.  If you wish to donate specifically for the dogfighting project, so note on your donation.  See the website for details: www.VirginiaVotersForAnimalWelfare.com; once there, see “Join VAW” in the blue sidebar.

 

 

This is important – but you already know that.

 

Lillian Clancy and Don Marro