A View of our Serious Side

As you all can probably tell - we Road Dogs like to have a good time!  And thanks to our Mom and Dad, we have lots of good times.  But, we have a serious side, too and right now we want to tell you about some dogs that don't get to have any good times.  We're talking about those unfortunate dogs that are used in dog fighting. We've been reading about Sweet Shelby and it would appear that she knows about this barbaric business up close and personal. 

The reason we're writing this today is that a man named David Tant was convicted of dog-fighting in SC in 2004.  He was sentenced to serve 30 years in prison for this crime.  After serving only 6 years, he is now seeking parole. On July 21, the Board shockingly voted 2 to 1 in favor of his parole! Because it was not a unanimous decision either way, Tant's case heads to a full hearing of the Probation, Parole and Pardon Services Board on September 8, 2010 in Columbia, SC.


Tant, 63, will have to convince four of the seven board members that he should be let out when the group meets again. If his request is declined, he can ask for parole again in one year.

Officials from the Charleston Animal Society have vowed to fight his release.

If you would like to add your support to the fight against this criminal's release, please visit The Petition Site and add your signature here:  http://www.thepetitionsite.com/petition/298/472/223

You will notice that this petition was started before the original parole hearing and met the original goal of 2000 signatures.  But, the petition is ongoing and will collect signatures until the full Board hearing on September 8, so feel free to go ahead and add yours! 
 
Here is a message from Kay Hyman, Director of Marketing and PR, Charleston Animal Society:
 
Hello everyone, Thanks for your support of our petition online http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/convicted-dog-fighter-david-tant-seeks-parole and in print to keep David Tant, convicted dog abuser in jail. So far we have over 3,000 physical signatures and 1,500 online signatures. If you have paper petitions and want to put them all together for the hearing, please mail them to our shelter at Charleston Animal Society,2455 Remount Rd. North Charleston, S.C. 29406.


LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
We would like to now encourage each of you to write a letter to local newspapers editorial staff to keep the parole hearing and the inhumane blood sport of dog fighting, in the public eye. We have attached the mailing addresses and online submission emails for each paper.

Please email letters to our general email box at info@charlestonanimalsociety.org if you choose to email directly to the papers , please cc us so we can keep a record of your submission. Sometimes letters are lost so we want to make sure your voices and words are seen and heard. Mail letters to: Charleston Animal Society David Tant Letters 2455 Remount Rd. North Charleston, S.C. 29405.

Here is a list of bullet points about the Tant case and dog fighting in general that will help you to write your letter. We want these letters to be your words so that the impact of your feelings about David Tant, dog fighting and his bid for parole will be felt. Public opinion in such cases can be very impactful with the parole board.

DOG FIGHTING BULLET POINTS

· David Tant was considered the largest breeder of pit bulls on the east coast, perfecting his bloodline for fighters for over 40 years. He earned money from breeding, selling and fighting dogs.

· When Charleston County sheriff's deputies arrived at Tants property, they found dozens of pit bulls. Some were caged and hidden from view by tall grass while others were in surrounding woods, tethered to the ground with heavy chains.

· David Tant had on his premises treadmills fitted for dogs, a pit used in past fights, armed devices, cattle prods used for controlling dogs and extensive documentation which proved his long time involvement in trafficking of dogs for the blood sport of dog fighting. His documentation which spanned decades paid particular attention to promoting established winning bloodlines and to long-term conditioning of animals.

· Read more: Pet-Abuse.Com - Animal Abuse Case Details: Dog-fighting - 47 dogs - North Charleston, SC (US) http://www.pet-abuse.com/cases/2187/#ixzz0s5UJnUii

· Animal advocates consider dog fighting to be one of the most serious forms of animal abuse, not only for the violence that the dogs endure during and after the fights, but because of the suffering they often endure in training. At least one major study alleges that the prevailing mind set among dog fighters is that, the more the dog suffers, the tougher he will become, and the better fighter he will therefore be. In addition to the treatment a dog receives when he has potential as a fighter, according to a filing in U.S. District Court in Richmond by federal investigators in Virginia, which was obtained under the Freedom of Information Act and published by the Baltimore Sunon July 6, 2007, a losing dog or one whose potential is considered unacceptable faces "being put to death by drowning, strangulation, hanging, gun shot, electrocution or some other method.

· dog fighters are often involved in illegal gambling, the sale and possession of drugs, as well as illegal weapons.

· dog fighters and spectators have a history of violent and criminal behavior toward people.

Letters to the Editor “Post and Courier”
The Post and Courier, 134 Columbus St., Charleston, SC 29403
letters@postandcourier.com
remember to cc us at info@charlestonanimalsociety.org

Letters to the Editor “The State” Paper ( letters can be no more than 200 words)
The State Paper, P.O. Box 1333, Columbia, SC 29202
stateeditor@thestate.com
remember to cc us at info@charlestonanimalsociety.org

Please help us send the message to those that would continue this horrible business that we won't stand by and allow it!

The Road Dogs