Tio Hardiman with a pit bull named Brisko
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Michael Vick will be in Chicago at 3 p.m. today for a private speaking event at John Marshall High School, located at 3250 W. Adams.
Vick will be speaking to John Marshall students about anti-dog fighting with Tio Hardiman, the director of urban outreach for The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), and Sean Moore, a reformed dogfighter and anti-dog fighting advocate for the HSUS Anti-Dogfighting Campaign.
The HSUS took note of programs like CeaseFire, an initiative of the Chicago Project for Violence Prevention, to stop violence in the Chicago area.
Tio Hardiman, who also works with CeaseFire, recruited a few young men in the Chicago community—mainly the west side where dogfighting is most apparent—to work with the HSUS at the Carroll Care Center.
“With spring coming, this is the best timing in the world for an event like this,” said Hardiman to Shamontiel, the Chicago News & Events Examiner. “We have to break this cycle of violence in Chicago.”
Vick, who was the quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons, was indicted in July 2007 by a federal grand jury for participating in dogfighting. In August 2007, he plead guilty and served 21 of his 23 months in a federal prison in Leavenworth, Kansas. The other two months were served on home confinement.
Since Vick was released, he has worked with various HSUS anti-dogfighting campaigns and currently has a reality show on BET called “The Michael Vick Project” detailing his days before and after prison.
With the help of HSUS, the Carroll Care Center has helped more than 100 Chicagoans and their pit bulls finish a 10-week obedience class. Jeff Jenkins, the head pit bull trainer, leads HSUS trainers in training pit bulls, many of which were involved in dogfights before they came and some are rescued dogs off the street.
The pit bull training locations are located on the west side at 3334 W. Carroll and one on the south side at 6810 S. Ashland Ave. The one-hour training at the west side location is at 1 p.m. on Saturdays and at 6 p.m. on Wednesdays.
The HSUS also provides free shots and vaccines, microchips, proper leashes and dog treats for pit bulls at the Carroll Care Center.
According to the HSUS, dogfighting is a felony in all 50 states, and 250,000 dogs suffer each year. In addition to 40,000 organized dog fights, an additional 100,000 street dogfighting happens in alleys, vacant lots and other locations. Sixty-five percent of dogfighters also commit violent acts against other people, according to the Chicago Police Department.
But programs like the Carroll Care Center, the HSUS and Vick are here to try to stop the violence against dogs and people.
“These guys and girls probably don’t get a message like this from somebody like Michael Vick,” Hardiman said. “And if Michael Vick can take time out of his schedule to come to Chicago and talk to students at John Marshall High School, then we can come together. If he can do it, we can do it.”
For more info:
The Humane Society "End Dogfighting"
Comments
Thanks for highlighting our End Dogfighting program in Chicago. There's been a lot of interest in establishing similar programs in other cities. To see some really compelling photos of these young men and their dogs, check out our CEO's blog at hsus.typepad.com/wayne/2009/07/michael-vick.html.
Hi Hillary, thanks for reading this post. I have seen those photos. I can't remember where I saw them, but it was before my "Chicago Defender" interview on somebody's Web site. I was also happy to see the photos in "Timeout Chicago." Chicago newspapers and mags are spreading the word quite a bit. I do hope more programs are established. I remember Jim Jones on BET complaining about Michael Vick going to prison and saying, "What's wrong with y'all? We always fight dogs in the hood." Wrong message to send to impressionable kids.
Yes, the Timeout Chicago feature was wonderful - great overview with a real flavor of the interaction between trainers, students, and their dogs. I believe one boy's pit bull has even earned his Canine Good Citizen certificate. Good stuff! Thanks again for covering this issue.
When I interviewed Sean for the "Defender," it changed my mindset quite a bit about dogfighting. I'm completely opposed to it of course, but I'd never talked to someone who was involved in it so it was quite the learning experience. The picture of him letting the dog lick him dead in the mouth always cracks me up. The conversation with him (as well as a very fascinating conversation with Tio Hardiman) made me look at Michael Vick differently. I think his show on BET gives viewers the full story, something I thought he was entitled to tell so I'm happy he gave us the opportunity to find out why he did what he did.
Got something to say?
Examiner.com is looking for writers, photographers, and videographers to join the fastest growing group of local insiders. If you are interested in growing your online rep apply to be an Examiner today!