Hip Hop Moguls Amp Up Anti-Dogfighting Message at Awards

	©The HSUS
	LL Cool J agreed with The HSUS's Laurie Maxwell that dogfighting hurts.

By Ariana Huemer

The Humane Society of the United States took its anti-dogfighting message to hip-hop fans at the first annual J.A.M. Awards show on Nov. 29. The benefit honors the late Jam Master Jay of Run-D.M.C.

Held at New York City's Hammerstein Ballroom, the J.A.M. (Justice, Arts and Music) Awards  attracted a swarm of big-name hip-hop stars, including Snoop Dogg, DMC, EPMD, Mobb Deep, Wu-Tang Clan's Raekwon, and M.O.P.

The HSUS attended the event to garner support for our campaign against dogfighting—a particularly high-profile issue for the hip-hop community.

Drop the Dogfighting

After Snoop Dogg's crowd-pleasing performance, DJ ADM spotlighted dogfighting. He encouraged audience members to "stop dogfighting and stop the violence" by getting involved with The HSUS's campaign against dogfighting.

Tossing free T-shirts bearing the slogan "Real Heroes Don't Fight Dogs" into a sea of eager outstretched arms, DJ ADM made sure the audience heard the anti-dogfighting message loud and clear.

©The HSUS
The HSUS's Tio Hardiman and rap legend DMC discussed our work against dogfighting.

Message Received

At the end of the day—after Public Enemy's Chuck D collected his Justice Award, graffiti artist Lee Quinones received the Arts Award, and Wyclef Jean picked up his Music Award—The HSUS's staff mingled with rap headliners and ticket-holders.

Talking about the problem of dogfighting that plagues both urban and rural communities, we received encouraging feedback from concertgoers and rap artists alike, who said they recognized that dogfighting is an issue that hits the hip-hop community especially hard. Earlier this year, Russell Simmons added his voice to call for an end to dogfighting.

Judging from the positive response from the J.A.M. awards attendees, the humane message has been heard.

Ariana Huemer is cruelty case manager for The Humane Society of the United States. 

See the Video

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