Saving Bait Dogs: Meet Bait Free & One Dog Organic Bakery
Have you ever heard the term “bait dog”? Do you know what it means? When Amanda Hamilton learned, it changed her life. And, when she heard how many pet dogs were being stolen to be used as bait dogs, she got busy. The gruesome reality of dog fighting is really too much to bear for animal lovers. But, it exists all over our country and there are things we can do to insure the safety of our own dogs and to saving the bait dogs who’ve suffered immensely.
What is a bait dog?
Bait dogs are the secondary victims of dogfighting. They are used to train the fight dogs. Often they are stolen family pets or were bred especially for this purpose by unscrupulous puppy mills.
Bait dogs are helplessly forced to face a competitor in the ring, never allowed to escape severe injury, even death. They are often mild-tempered dogs who wouldn’t be prone to fighting; they are used to develop a taste for blood from the aggressive fighting dogs. What these depraved people who run or work for these fighting clubs do to make sure these dogs are “broken” and unable to fight back is too gruesome to go into here, but suffice to say we want to help these dogs as much as we can. It’s heartbreaking.
Bait Free
After two experiences that “changed my life,” Amanda started Bait Free three years ago. The organization offers high quality and adorable dog collars, leashes and apparel to support its mission in spreading awareness of the use of bait dogs and other survivors of dog fighting. Over 20% of the proceeds for each sale are donated to animal rescue organizations to medically care for these dogs who are lucky enough to be rescued. Their goal is a world that is bait free.
What happened to change Amanda’s life?
It’s eye opening for all of us. A little over 12 years ago, Amanda went to an adoption event, looking to add a second dog to her home; a playmate for her young, rambunctious Labrador Retriever. She came across a Sheltie mix that had a neurological problem. “That just tugged at my heart,” Amanda confided. “I’m talking to the rescue organization, and they told me this dog was rescued as part of a dog fighting bust. Her mom and sibling were killed; they were all used as bait dogs. She was the only survivor. The problem was, she had neurological issues because of what had happened to her. That was very heartbreaking for me, because as an animal lover, I grew up thinking dogs are just amazing and they’re fun to be around, and that’s the only side I really saw. But, when you start going to these adoption events, you see many facets of what goes on in the animal world.”
Amanda wasn’t able to adopt the Sheltie, because she had special needs that her existing dog couldn’t meet. Years passed, but Amanda never forgot this dog.
Eventually, she adopted her first American Pitbull Terrier, and started doing research about the breed and dog fighting. Bait dogs came up again. Then, the first of two things happened, that changed Amanda’s life forever.
“During my research, I came across an image of a bait dog, that was a realistic view of what’s going on with them,” she described. “It was horrible; hard to look at and it shocked me.
“The second thing was I came across an article written in 2003 about a sheriff in Arizona, who was talking about bait dogs that how nobody knows what’s really going on. He said there were over 3000 animals that go reported as missing in his town alone! And, this is a small town. Out in the Arizona desert, close to this town, they were finding mutilated, dead dogs. They weren’t dogs that appeared to be strays, because they would have a more weathered look to them; their paws would be tougher. This wasn’t the case. So, when he went back and checked, he found that half of these dogs were previously reported stolen. That area is prominent for dog fighting. He suggested the two were very linked.
“That’s when everything changed. I thought I could look away, after seeing these things, or I could do something. So, I started Bait Free. Every time I donate money to help these rescues help bait dogs, I know I’m on the right path.”
Bait Free Met One Dog Organic Bakery and More Magic Happened!
Amazing people are drawn together, I think. It took the PupJoy monthly subscription box brand to bring Amanda and Veronica Glynn, founder and owner of One Dog Organic Bakery to meet. They were both included in the monthly box of more unique brands. Veronica loved what Amanda was doing, as she also donates to help less fortunate dogs, and reached out.
Today, they’ve partnered on helping bait dogs. When you shop the Bait Free collection on One Dog Organic Bakery’s site, they will donate 10% to those that rescue bait dogs, while Amanda will donate 20% of her proceeds. That’s a good-sized chunk to make a real difference.
“If you are anything like I was, then you probably know the basics where dogfighting is concerned,” Veronica shared. “The subject left me heart broken for the animals and furious at the people who would do such a thing. It wasn’t until after speaking with Amanda and getting the ‘real’ scoop, that I discovered the true face of dogfighting…Join us in our battle to enforce stronger punishments for those who engage in these unspeakable activities. Help us spread the word about dogfighting and how it affects everyone – regardless of whether you own a dog or not.”
Amanda also sees the serendipity in their meeting. “I have an American Staffordshire and she’s severely allergic to anything, to the point where she gets a carrot at night, other than her dog food,” Hamilton emphasized. “Veronica sent me these dog treats that are more allergy free and she’s actually able to eat them. So, I feel like this is a good sign for the partnership!”
What’s special about One Dog
The collaboration makes perfect sense. Veronica is a very conscious person and business owner. She founded her dream company, One Dog Organic Bakery, after losing her two year old cat, Kitty, to kidney failure caused by the melamine pet food recall 8 years ago. She makes the treats herself; it’s a family business, and all treats are free of imported ingredients, by-products, fillers, dyes, colors and chemicals. Every recipe is grain, wheat, soy, corn and gluten free. Nice!
Now, check out these adorable designs!
It’s wonderful to do something good and help dogs in need. And, these designs are cute! Amanda decided to create an abstract, undefined dog face as the design on the pink and the blue ribbons. I think that’s apropos, because the sad truth is, any dog can become a bait dog. The design also stimulate conversation, which is fine by Amanda. “It’s a great opportunity to tell people about Bait Free and why we’re doing what we do,” she said.
Her designs include a pink collar and matching leash and a blue one both coming with either a quick-release buckle or a traditional metal buckle. There’s also a lovely, super soft hoodie, made from eco-friendly bamboo/cotton stretch fleece.
You can shop Bait Free on the One Dog site. While you’re there, take a look around. They’re treats are awesome!
Survivor story supported by Bait Free
O.G.
O.G. was rescued by Missy, from Missy’s Angels in Texas, from a suspected dog fighting ring. On a night in October 2012, a call to Missy cited possible dog fighting in a location nearby her home and upon arrival, Missy found a badly injured O.G. and two other dead dogs in the dumpster. Poor O.G. was sliced open to attract an attack. Each of the many scars on O.G.’s body are a reminder of the abuse he’s been through, yet his pension for love is undiminished as he kisses Missy each and every time she is with him. O.G received a blood transfusion and is slowly being rehabilitated. He’s a frightened dog, who cries when alone, but Missy is doing the best she can to heal his body and renew his soul. Bait Free sends money to help with his care.
Bait Free also works Players for Pits, dedicated to saving Pit Bulls and Pit Bull mixes, and with the Bryan and Amanda Bickell Foundation, which brings awareness to the Pit Bull breeds and works with them to help formally abused children. “They have mobile clinics and go to areas where people love their dogs, but don’t have much money,” Amanda enthused. They spay and neuter the dogs and check them out. We’ve been able to donate a lot of our merchandise, so these dogs don’t have to leave with ropes around their neck. They’re super excited about their new collar and leash.”
Have things gotten better, worse or stayed the same in the 10+ years since that article that started it all for Amanda? “In my opinion, it definitely hasn’t gotten better,” she lamented. “Where there’s an opp for bad people to make money, they will. There are magazines for this; there’s a huge underground network in dog fighting. And, it doesn’t matter what jobs people have. I’ve heard about lawyers who love the gambling on a dog fight. It’s not just inner city people. We’re talking about these big organizations, who make $20,000 or $50,000 with a win. So to them, bringing in these dogs to use for bait for their big champion; they’re just looked at as a commodity. And, when you have a group of people fighting dogs, where a life doesn’t matter, no one feels it’s there problem until they move to a bigger issue, like hurting or killing a human. Then, everybody says why didn’t we see the signs. But, we did see the signs.”
The good news is law enforcement and legislators are starting to recognize that connection and are beefing up laws in certain states. Currently, in states where dogfighting is illegal, there’s a maximum 3 year prison term and a $250,000 fine.
Learn more about Bait Free and dog fighting, and what more you can do.
How can you protect your dog from being stolen and possibly ending up as a bait dog?
I can’t even go there, with a thought like this. However, we’re better safe than sorry. So, here are some key tip, in a cute and stylish infographic, for protecting your dogs.
Would you help spread the word and shop to save a bait dog’s life?
