Pit bulls are probably the most abused and misunderstood of all the dog breeds in this country.
Your awareness of this problem and commitment to end the plight of abused animals can make such a difference to so many defenseless pets. After you sign, please pass this pledge along to your friends and family too. Together we can all spread the word and inform even more people who can help make a difference.

Many pit bulls are raised to be fighting dogs, which is a gruesome and bloody sport that is actually gaining popularity across the country. Dogs are actually raised and trained to be vicious to other dogs (and sometimes people, although this is actually against our nature). Smaller dogs are often used as “bait” and ripped apart in training by the fighting dogs that have been driven into a frenzy. Young pit bull puppies commonly have tires chained around their necks and are forced to run behind moving vehicles to make them “tough”. To condition their jaws for fighting, they are often encouraged to hang by their teeth from tree branches or rafters knowing that if they let go, they will fall far to the ground. And if they lose the fight, angry owners have been known to punish them in horrific ways like dowsing them in gasoline and setting their paws on fire; running them behind cars until they collapse from exhaustion and are then dragged to death; or simply throwing them from a rooftop, as Gracie was. Read Gracie's story here.

Terrible things are done to pit bulls every day. Things that are too gruesome and heartbreaking to relate here, but you should know that they are happening. Contrary to popular opinion, pit bulls are not the problem; they are trained to be the way we are by people. The real problem lies in the mind-set of people who raise them to be vicious.

North Shore Animal League America believes that by educating children of all ages to care about animals and give value to all life, we can stop the terrible mistreatment of pit bulls and so many other animals that are misunderstood, tortured and abused every day.

The good news is that you can help. Here are the three simple things you can do to support the Leagues efforts to put an end to this senseless violence:

1. Please take a moment to sign the Pledge to End Pit Bull Abuse and Animal Cruelty (on this page)
   
   
2. Send this pledge to at least 3 people who will care enough to do the same.
   
   
3. Make a donation and support the League's Humane Education program, to help children grow up understanding how to respect all animals and become responsible pet owners.