LOS ANGELES– Future Hall-of-Fame boxer “Sugar” Shane Mosley has joined with People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) to launch an anti-dogfighting public service announcement.
“Dogfighting is a loser's game that only cowards participate in,” said Mosley.
Mosley, who starred in PETA’s campaign as a way to remind his fans that community support is necessary to stop the cruelty fighting dogs endure, points out in the campaign that boxers choose to fight for a living, but dogs used for fighting don't have a choice.
Mosley will return to the ring for “Mosley Vs. Mayorga 2,” his much-anticipated bout against Ricardo Mayorga August 29 at the Forum.
“Real champions are kind to animals,” said Mosley, “I choose to fight. Dogs don’t. Dogfighting is for cowards. Don’t do it.”
Mosley’s promotion company, GoBox Promotions, will broadcast Mosley v Mayorga 2 live at 10 pm ET/7 pm PT on Pay-Per-View in the USA and Canada via all cable and satellite providers for under $50. In doing so, Mosley is making the fight affordable for the majority of boxing fans, while still being able to recoup his million-dollar investment. Tickets start at $35 and go on sale to the general public at Noon on Tuesday, August 4, 2015. Tickets are available through The Forum box office and Ticketmaster.com.
“Shane Mosley is a fierce opponent in the ring, and is just as sweet as his nickname when it comes to dogs, especially if those dogs are being abused or mistreated,” said Lisa Lange, Senior Vice President of PETA. “We are thrilled to partner with Shane against this terrible blood sport.”
The campaign is being relaunched after a successful debut in 2009 in conjunction with a fundraising initiative by way of an online auction, which offers VIP seating and access to Mosley vs. Mayorga 2 and a meet and greet photo session with Mosley. Auction details and entry can be found at CharityBuzz.
Although dogfighting is a felony in all 50 states and the District of Columbia, according to PETA, dogs used in fighting rings are typically kept in tiny cages or outdoors on heavy chains 24 hours a day, which is the worst punishment imaginable for social animals who need companionship and engaging activities to stay healthy.
Dogfighters often starve, beat, and taunt the dogs, and use wildlife and companion animals stolen from people's yards as "bait" to make them more aggressive. Dogs that survive fights often sustain serious injuries, such as broken bones, deep lacerations and crushed cartilage and many suffer and die from blood loss, shock, dehydration, exhaustion, or infection hours and days after fighting. The dogfighters also often dispose of dogs who lose fights by shooting, drowning, or burning them alive.
In the PSA, Mosley asks supporters to stop the cruelty by signing a pledge on the PETA website promising to report dogfighting to the police and never support the cruel blood sport of dogfighting.
Mosley joins a substantial roster of championship athletes and major celebrities who have worked with PETA to fight against animal abuse including, Ron Artest, Michael Strahan, Tony Gonzalez, Mac Danzig, Brandon Flowers, Carey Hart, and others.
For more information and to view the PSA, visit Shane Mosley’s website at www.shanemosley.com and the PETA website at www.peta.org.