Mosley says no to dog abuse

MANILA, Philippines - Shane Mosley has joined the growing list of athletes and celebrities speaking out against animal abuse, describing “dog-fighting as dirty and cruel.”

In the new People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) Asia anti-dog-fighting ad, the WBA welterweight champion poses in the ring alongside the words “I Choose to Fight. Dogs don’t. Dogfighting is for cowards. Don’t do it.”

Mosley is set to fight Filipino icon and eight-division champion Manny Pacquiao in Las Vegas Saturday (Sunday in Manila) in a mega-buck fight where he is the clear underdog.

But the African-American fighter is expected to gain fans worldwide with his anti-animal abuse crusade.

“My opponents and I know that when we step into the ring, we choose to be there and that if we don’t come out on top, we can at least walk away,” said Mosley. “Dog-fighting isn’t like that. Dog-fighting is dirty, it’s cruel and it’s a loser’s game.”

The other athletes and celebrities who have teamed up with PETA in the anti-animal abuse drive are Tito Ortiz, Ron Artest, Michael Strahan, Mac Danzig and Carey Hart.

Dogfighting is a vicious blood sport that leaves animals mangled and maimed. Though it is illegal in the Philippines, dogfighting continues to thrive and is kept hidden from the public view. PETA said after a fight, dogs are ripped apart, bloody and maimed with the “losers” often killed by their handlers.