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New Children's Book Aids Chicago's Battle Against Dog Fighting!

A new children’s book, Let’s Go Visit Best Friends Animal Sanctuary, has been selected to be used in a teen mentoring program for Safe, Humane Chicago.

A new children’s book, Let’s Go Visit Best Friends Animal Sanctuary, has been selected to be used in a teen mentoring program for Safe, Humane Chicago.

In 2007 Chicago community leaders, city officials, local police and members of the faith based community joined with humane and animal related groups, to form Safe, Humane Chicago. This unique coalition’s mission is to educate children about the consequences of dog fighting, conduct animal education programs for both adults and children, and develop youth intervention programs, so kids will not become involved in this illegal activity. Their goal is also to teach an alternative to violence. A Massachusetts SPCA study concluded that those who attend dog fights are five times more likely to commit violent crimes against people.

Let’s Go Visit Best Friends Animal Sanctuary was specificaly designed to be read aloud in home, library, or classroom settings and to encourage conversation with children about kindness to animals and responsible pet ownership. Kelsey’s books will be distributed to teen mentors in a Safe, Humane Chicago pilot program. The teenagers will be responsible for educating younger children about compassion and caring for animals.

People are starting to recognize that the issue of dog fighting is about preventing any acceptance of an atmosphere of violence in our communities. You don’t have to be a dog person to want a safe environment for you family. Seventy percent of dog fighter’s or other animal abuse offenders have also been arrested for violent crimes against people. They are intertwined!