This video makes me sick!

This video makes me sick!! I'm actually thinking about reporting them, because that treadmill will hold up in court as dog fighting evidence/dog fighting paraphernalia.

Senator Ted Kennedy - A Dog Lover and Animal Advocate

Photo: Kennedy with wife Victoria Reggie Kennedy, walking with their dogs in 2008, shortly after Kennedy was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor. Credit: Steven Senne / Associated Press

As the media and individuals remember and pay tribute to “The Lion of the Senate,” Senator Ted Kennedy much focus is on his dedication to healthcare reform, yet it is important to also remember that he was a true advocate for animals and a dog lover. Though known for spearheading many liberal issues, Kennedy was able to cross the partisan line when it came to issues he believed in. Kennedy connected with conservatives on one issue – his love of animals – particularly his love of his Portuguese Water Dogs – four-legged and free of part affiliation.

Wayne Pacelle, CEO of the Humane Society of the United States, recently spoke about Senator Kennedy’s dedication to animals and promoting animal welfare. Pacelle referred to Kennedy as, “a stalwart ally over the years on a wide range of legislation to protect companion animals, farm animals, animals in research and wildlife,” and The Lion of the Senate was a key player in the passage of animal welfare legislation including laws that cracked down on dog fighting and cockfighting, protected horses and other farm animals, and sent chimpanzees once used in medical research to sanctuaries, Pacelle also noted. Senator Kennedy received a score of an 83 from the Humane Society Legislative Fund in their latest scorecard, which is an annual report on the voting records of lawmakers on animal protection issues.

Of course, while some did not agree with all of the animal issues Kennedy supported, it is hard not to smile when you think of his love and devotion to Sunny and Splash his two Portuguese Water Dogs – that is an issue even the most conservatives are sure to support. If Kennedy was “The Lion of the Senate” than Splash is surely “The Dog of the Senate,” Senator Kennedy noted in an interview with the Boston Globe some of Splash’s many accomplishments including, meeting Elton John, a visit to the Oval Office, and a Presidential Bone – a rawhide given to Splash from President Bush, inscribed with the message, “From Barney to Splash.’ Senator Kennedy confided in the Boston Globe that Splash accompanied him to all of the hearings, where he would sit under the table. It wasn’t just Senate hearings where Splash was present, but press conferences, too. When not being a Legislative Lassie, and faithful companion to Senator Kennedy, Splash could be found at the Cape, often enjoying long trips on the boat, he was a dog that could sail all day, Kennedy told the Boston Globe.

Splash was not only Kennedy’s dog, but Kennedy was also faithfully devoted to his canine companion. The Lion of the Senate was so devoted that Splash was the inspiration for Kennedy to pen a children’s book with Splash as its “narrator” or “woofator.” The story, "My Senator and Me: A Dog's Eye View of Washington, D.C.," is aimed at elementary-aged children, and gives them an introduction to the political process through the words of Splash. The School Library Journal praised the book by saying, "This canine bundle of friendly, panting fun takes readers on a tour of monuments and then describes a typical day: staff discussion of an education bill, a ride in the underground tram between the Senate and the Capitol, a press conference, a committee meeting, and a floor vote. Children will appreciate Splash's joy at the snacks and time for outdoor catch along the way, as well as the strategic Woof when the committee reaches an impasse on the bill."

As I blogged about in the past, recently Kennedy helped the Obama’s with the acquisition of their Portuguese Water Dog, Bo – and now America can thank the now-departed Lion of the Senate for the friendly, panting, fetching, tuxedo-clad bundle of joy that is the First Dog.

Whether or not you supported Senator Ted Kennedy – like all humans he had his share of faults, and his image was tainted by past indiscretions – he truly loved and cared about animals. He did not just leave behind his human family with his passing, but also his beloved dogs Sunny and Splash, who surely are faced with an incomprehensible amount of grief as they wonder where their master has gone.

Sources: LA Times, Lindsay Barnett

Major Dog Fighting Bust in Three States:

This image featured on Danny and Ron's Rescue website shows an example of one dog that survived a dog fight! Please help to end dog fighting in this country, and worldwide!

Dog fighting is a major problem in this country, but law enforcement recently “took a bite out of crime” in what the Humane Society of Missouri is calling “the largest dog fighting raid in U.S. history.”

As part of a nation-wide crackdown on dog fighting rings, local animal welfare organizations teamed up with the Federal authorities to arrest approximately 30 people and rescued as many 200 dogs in Texas, Illinois and Missouri, according to an article by Mark Levine. Levine’s article explains how the number of dogs rescued in the raid continues to grow in the words, “As many as 300 dogs could end up being rescued, one FBI source said.”

Five men and more than 150 dogs, being called Pit Bull Terriers at this time, were taken into custody. Motions have been filed by the U.S. Attorney there to take legal ownership of the dogs and place the animals in the care and custody of the Humane Society of Missouri, says a Justice Department press release.

In the Fox News article, Mark Levine notes, The Humane Society of Missouri were the original tipsters, and alerted the FBI to the dog-fighting rings.

The five Missouri men – Michael Morgan, Robert Hackman, Teddy Kiriakidis, Ronald Creach and Jack Ruppel –- are responsible for running highly developed kennels that purchase, breed, train, condition and develop Pit Bull Terriers into fighting dogs for competition rings. Some of their kennels names include: "Shake Rattle and Roll Kennel," "Ozark Hillbillys Kennel," and "Hard Goodbye Kennel”, Fox revealed, citing the indictment as their source. In the indictment is is alleged the men “routinely inhumanely abandoned, destroyed, and otherwise disposed of Pit Bull Terriers that lost fighting competitions,” the Justice Department press release said.

"Forcing a dog to fight to its death is not a sport," states John V. Gillies, Special Agent in Charge of the St. Louis office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. "There is nothing respectable about encouraging two animals to torture and dismember each other. Individuals who participate in dog fighting claim to care for the animals, but they don't hesitate to electrocute their helpless dog once it loses a fight and can no longer provide any financial benefit."

Though there have been no official statements released thus far about the fate of the dogs rescued in this sting, there is speculation that many will have to be humanely euthanized. Almost always, dogs used in actual fighting must be euthanized, because it is nearly impossible to train out this behavior. However, puppies, breeding bitches and bait dogs may have a better fate. After football star Michael Vic made headlines for his own arrest involving dog-fighting, many of the dogs rescued from his dog-fighting operation were able to go onto lead happy, healthy lives in loving forever homes.

According to the press release, and Fox News article, the specific charges against the Missouri men are:

- Michael Morgan, a/k/a Missouri Mike, 38, Hannibal, MO, on two felony counts of conspiracy to commit federal offenses and one felony count of prohibitions against animal fighting ventures;

- Robert Hackman, 55, Foley, MO, two felony counts of conspiracy to commit federal offenses and two felony counts of prohibitions against animal fighting ventures;

- Teddy Kiriakidis, a/k/a Teddy Bogart, 50, Leasburg, MO, one felony count of conspiracy to commit federal offenses;

- Ronald Creach, 34, Leslie, MO, one felony count of conspiracy to commit federal offenses; and

- Jack Ruppel, 35 Eldon, MO, town, two felony counts of conspiracy to commit federal offenses and two felony counts of prohibitions against animal fighting ventures.

If convicted, each count of the indictment carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and/or fines up to $250,000.

Some Quick Dog Fighting Facts courtesy of Danny and Ron's Rescue:

• Humane Society estimates 40,000 "professional" dog fighters in U.S.
• Official says there could be an additional 100,000 "street" dog fighters
• Purses at top-level dogfights may be $100,000
• Dog fighting a felony in 48 states, a misdemeanor in Idaho and Wyoming (note: some sources say dog fighting is now a felony in all 50 states)

On a happy note, do not forget there is still time to enter the BIRTHDAY GIVEAWAY!!! If you don't own a dog, but want to enter, Miss Muddy Paws is happy to donate the PUPCAKES to a local rescue should you win. The drawing will take place on July 15th using a random number generator!! Good Luck!! :)