ASPCA Helps Art Imitate Life



The ASPCA (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) is proud to have provided its expertise to the hit primetime television series, "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation" for an upcoming episode focusing on the brutal and illegal world of dog fighting-and helping to educate millions of Americans in the process, on the inhuman and inhumane nature of this fiendish practice.

The episode, titled "Lying Down with Dogs," is slated to air on Thursday, December 13th (9:00-10:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network. It was created in close consultation with two of the ASPCA's on-staff experts on anti-cruelty, who are considered leaders in their fields: Dr. Randall Lockwood, senior vice president, Anti-Cruelty Initiatives, and Dr. Melinda Merck, forensic veterinarian and the country's only "animal CSI." With over 40 years of collective experience between them, Drs. Lockwood Merck have assisted in the investigation and prosecution of hundreds of dog fighting and animal cruelty cases, including the 2006 Atlanta "puppy torture case," and the recent Michael Vick case.

"We applaud CSI's brave decision to feature a storyline exposing the barbaric act of dog fighting-an abominable form of animal cruelty," said ASPCA President & CEO, Ed Sayres. "By showcasing the cruel realities of dog fighting, "CSI" is helping us greatly to elevate public awareness of this crime, which we believe will help to further galvanize the public in taking action against cruelty to animals." At the close of the episode, CBS will also air a CBS Cares anti-cruelty public service announcement featuring "CSI" star, William Petersen and his dog, Bruno.

Tens of thousands of people in the United States are involved in professional dog fighting, and many more are involved in street fighting, an informal form of dog fighting, often involving young people. Dog fighting is illegal in all 50 states. For more information on dog fighting and anti-cruelty, and to learn what you can do to fight it, please visit



ASPCA Helps Art Imitate Life