Professional Athletes Make Plea to End Dog Fighting: ‘It’s animal cruelty, plain and simple’

Seattle Seahawks linebacker K.J. Wright, along with former Seahawks safety Jordan Babineaux, and MMA legend Matt Hume, are speaking out in a new public service announcement against dog fighting.

“It’s not a sport. It’s animal cruelty, plain and simple,” Wright explained in a video he recorded Tuesday as part of a new campaign being launched by Pasado’s Safe Haven, a non-profit organization trying to end animal cruelty.

“These dogs, they need a voice. They need someone to stand up for them,” said Wright.

Wright’s adorable co-star in the public service video is Meadow, a 3-year-old American Staffordshire terrier was rescued June 9th after a good Samaritan found the injured dog and called 911.

“She had been stuffed in box and thrown from a truck. She had life-threatening injuries,” said Laura Henderson, executive director Of Pasado’s Safe Haven. Meadow has hundreds of scars and injuries consistent with being a bait dog used in dog fighting.

Pasado’s is offering a $2,500 reward to anyone who can help identify and convict the tall white man with a mustache and camouflage pants who tossed her from a black pickup truck.

“They’re put into a ring with a dog that will be fighting so that that dog can attack the bait dog and practice being aggressive and fighting,” said Henderson.

Meadow has significant dog bite wounds to both front legs and multiple bite wounds over her body. She was found covered with a dark purple substance known as Wound-Kote, often used to treat wounds on livestock. And, despite all she’s endured, Meadow is sweet, gentle, and forgiving.

“Don’t be silent. Be a hero,” former Seahawks safety Jordan Babineaux says in the video. “If you suspect dog fighting is happening in your neighborhood or you know someone that’s involved in animal abuse, do something about it.”

MMA legend Matt Hume is hoping their message hits home. The message that, unlike athletes, dogs don’t have a choice to get into the ring.

If you have any information that can help solve Meadow’s case, call the Pasado’s Safe Haven tip line at  (206) 300-7218 or go towww.pasadosafehaven.org.

Or, if you suspect dog fighting activity is occurring in your area, don’t hesitate to contact local authorities. It is up to us to be their voice.