The American Kickboxing Academy in San Jose, home to a ton of first rate fighters such as Cung Le, Jon Fitch, Mike Swick, Josh Thompson and more, is doing something really cool–they’re working with an anti-dog fighting group called ‘For Pits’ Sake’ to help raise awareness to the barbaric abuse of pit bulls and other fighting dogs. Furthermore, they’re helping the group with an educational program to teach ‘at risk’ kids that dog fighting is complete cowardice and not ‘cool’ or ‘tough’ as portrayed in too many rap videos:

San Jose, CA (PRWEB) June 11, 2008 — Josh “The Punk” Thomson, Mixed Martial Arts Lightweight Champion, speaks out against dog fighting with a new PSA as part of the “Knock Out Dog Fighting” campaign by For Pits’ Sake, Inc. He will be fighting for the Strikeforce World Lightweight Championship title on June 27, 2008 at 8:00pm at the HP Pavilion in San Jose, CA.

This is the second PSA completed by world class Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) fighters who are demonstrating that they are champions in and out of the ring by joining For Pits’ Sake to knock out dog fighting. Champion Josh Thomson wanted to provide a positive role model for children and appears in the PSA with his English bulldog Brady. He gives a strong message: “Dog fighting is animal abuse, plain and simple. Torturing animals is not cool; nor is it a sign of being a real man. Real fighters stand up for what’s right and protect those who are unable to do so.”

The “Knock Out Dog Fighting” program is part of an educational campaign by For Pits’ Sake which has gained momentum in the wake of widespread media coverage of the Michael Vick case which brought never before seen attention to the barbaric activity of dog fighting. As horrific as the details in the Vick investigation were, they showed us the pit bull as what he really is…a victim. The investigation and conviction of Michael Vick gave the American public a glimpse of the sadistic world of dog fighting. We learned that dog fighters not only force these animals to fight to the death, many also engage in violence against the dogs by means of electrocution, strangulation, kicking, and other unimaginable acts of cruelty.

In addition to the other illegal activities that go on at these events, dog fighting affects more than the animals. Dog fighters or spectators often involve their children in dog fighting. Sadly, this desensitizes children to violence and the suffering of others not only from the exposure, but also because dog fighting is condoned and even glorified by adults and role models. They are taught to believe that it is okay to inflict the cruelties they observe and that dog fighting is an acceptable form of recreation.

The first PSA featured none other than Cung Le. His comments on the PSA are highlighted below as its hard to say it any better:

The first PSA by Cung Le, Undefeated World Champion MMA Middleweight Title Holder and Undefeated World Light Heavyweight San Shou Champion, makes it clear that there can be no comparison between the fighting arts and dog fighting: “I have a choice to step inside the cage to fight. But there are a lot of helpless animals who are not given that choice. Dog fighting is cruel and inhumane and those who engage in it are losers.”

Here’s the press release announcing the partnership

Below is the link to For Pits’ Sake, and all of us here at THE SAVAGE SCIENCE strongly encourage you to check it out and contribute to their important work. Big kudos to the AKA, Josh Thomson and Cung Le for their involvement:

For Pits’ Sake–Pit Bull Education, Advocacy and Rescue

UPDATE: Here’s a link to ‘For Pits’ Sake’’s dog fighting specific website. Both Josh Thompson and Cung Le’s PSA’s can be viewed on their site.

KNOCK OUT DOG FIGHTING