Celebrity Mixed Martial Arts fighters Cung Le, Josh “the Punk” Thomson and the American Kickboxing Academy receive achievement award for their work with Kris Crawford and For Pits’ Sake, Inc. to combat dog fighting. josh and cung The unique structure and impact of For Pits’ Sake, Inc.’s ‘Knock Out Dog Fighting’ program is being honored with an Achievement Award by the Animal Farm Foundation. The Animal Farm Foundation Achievement Award is presented to individuals and pit bull dogs whose service to the community honors the human/canine bond and restores the image of the American Pit Bull Terrier. We at Animal Farm Foundation wish to thank “For Pits Sake” and the American Kickboxing Academy for their great work in exposing the callous cruelty of dog fighting,” said Jane Berkey, President of Animal Farm Foundation. “Kris Crawford, her pit bulls Cheyenne, Dakota and Tahoe, the American Kickboxing Academy and MMA fighters Cung Le and Josh “The Punk” Thomson are all heroes in the fight against animal cruelty.’
The ‘Knock Out Dog Fighting’ program is part of an educational campaign designed by For Pits’ Sake founder Kris Crawford to bring awareness to the abhorrent activity of dog fighting. “In the underbelly of a pet-friendly nation, where over 43 million households include dogs, the cruel and barbaric blood sport called dog fighting is alive and well,” said Crawford. It is estimated that there are 40,000 professional dog fighters in the United States and as many as 100,000 amateurs involved, including children and gang-affiliated teens. The high-profile investigation and conviction of dog fighter Michael Vick shone a spotlight on this criminal industry, revealing unimaginable acts of cruelty toward dogs and confirming that the oft-maligned pit bull is the victim, not a willing participant in this sadistic arena. But pit bulls aren’t the only victims. When dog fighting is condoned and even glorified by adults and role models, children become desensitized to violence and the suffering of others. In fact, research shows that there is a marked correlation between cruelty to animals and crimes against people. Crawford believes that one of the most effective ways to stop the cycle of violence is to teach young people about the proper treatment of animals. Crawford and her pit bulls have positively influenced children all over the world through numerous programs. This new partnership with the American Kickboxing Academy, the premier Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) training facility, reaches scores of young fans around the world who look up to these fighters and view them as role models.
The PSAs are just one part of this important campaign. Crawford, her pit bulls and the MMA champions visit schools, children’s groups, and juvenile detention centers, with the message that dog fighting is not a symbol of power, strength, or greatness. They hope that their community outreach program will shed more light on the prevalence of dog fighting and its overall effect on the community. They are determined to knock out the social acceptance of this barbaric activity.Show your strength and help stop the abuse. To join Knocking Out Dog Fighting or for more information, go to www.KnockOutDogFighting.org