The Humane Society of the United States is not a humane society in the sense that most people infer when they hear the term.

They are not about animal welfare.

They are not interested in fostering responsible animal ownership.

They are not experts on animal husbandry or animal behaviour.

Most of all, they are not a law enforcement arm or a government agency of any kind.

They are about animal liberation.

They oppose animal welfare initiatives as obstacles to Job One - the elimination of domestic animal husbandry and ownership.

The leadership of the private special interest group is peppered with people from Peta, ALF and other hard-core nuisance fringe groups.

JP Goodwin, aptly named Dogfighting Czar by that irreverent blogger over at Blue Dog State, is a convicted felon and former member of ALF.  Yes, that ALF, the group accused of arson, destruction of property and more which earned a spot on the FBI's list of internal terrorist organizations.

He is not a dog behaviourist and has no credentials in the area of canine management.

The HSUS has been (typically) calling for the deaths of dogs seized from a North Carolina breeding operation.  The owner has pleaded guilty to several counts of dogfighting.  Fair enough, throw him into the slammer for as long as possible.

Goodwin, self-styled 'expert' has been quoted in media as saying - get this - that because these dogs were 'bred' for fighting, they can't be 'untrained' and are therefore not suitable for adoption.  This includes 60 puppies, some barely old enough to leave the nest.

Some 'humane' society.  I agree with Lassie.  The H should stand for Hypocrisy.

It's time to cut the HSUS off at the knees.  Starve them for money - if you've been duped into donating to their sham causes, it's not too late to change course and donate to a local shelter or group that is actually working to help pets and owners lead better lives.

Don't fall for their emotional blackmail.  Don't trust them.

Remember, they were crying crocodile tears for the Vick dogs on their website while simultaneously calling for their deaths in media interviews.  They weren't even involved in the investigation as they claimed in order to shake down the suckers for more money.  I'm glad there's a screen shot of the site because once word got out they changed it.

The Hypocrisy Society of the United States deserves to fade away.  Without its lifeblood, the money sent in by kind but misguided people who love animals, that's what will happen.

Everybody is covering this, I'm a bit late.

YesBiscuit points out here that contrary to statements by Goodwin and others, North Carolina law does not require the mass killing of dogs seized from fight operations:

The state of North Carolina says different. Scroll down to nearly the bottom of this page to Article 6. Animal Subject to Illegal Treatment, (d):

In the event of forfeiture, the animal shelter may determine whether the animal is suitable for adoption and whether adoption can be arranged for the animal. The animal may not be adopted by the defendant or by any person residing in the defendant's household. If the adopted animal is a dog used for fighting, the animal shelter shall notify any persons adopting the dog of the liability provisions for owners of dangerous dogs under Article 1A of Chapter 67 of the General Statutes. [emphasis=mine]

YB's been all over this.  See here and here.

Brent's got a good one with links to a few other bloggers' takes that are worth following.  Read 'The answer is 'kill', now what's the question?'.

Donna at BadRap hits the nail on the head in a post entitled: The high cost of being a victim.  Here's the money quote:

I am pained by the lack of knowledge a "dog fighting expert" has for the breed. Shouldn't someone with this lofty title support the orgs that embrace these dogs? Unfortunately, people that believe bust dogs are devil's spawn - "bred for fighting" - spend so much time reading gamedog message boards that they've become as invested in dog fighting mythology as the guys who write this macho crap. Boys with low self esteem and big pick-up trucks encourage their dogs to spark up and act dog aggressive for a reason.

You said it, Donna.  I note that some animal welfare groups have put out a press release, please pass the link around, since I doubt that media will pick it up - hell, they never even mention Goodwin's work history while quoting his garbage in their articles.

News Alert: 'Vick Dog Success Ignored - Adoptable Dogs in Danger Again'

Coalition of animal welfare groups applauds North Carolina’s aggressive prosecution of dog fighting; But protests planned mass euthanasia of canines seized, including 60 puppies.
(Vocus) February 17, 2009 -- A coalition of animal welfare groups has formed to protest the court-order to kill all the 127 American Pit Bull Terriers—60 of them puppies—seized from the Wildside Kennels in Wilkesboro, N.C.

Led by Best Friends Animals Society, the coalition includes BAD RAP (Bay Area Doglovers Responsible About Pit Bulls), Animal Farm Foundation, Villa Lobos Rescue Center, and Downtown Dog Rescue.

Let's shut the HSUS down before it's too late - and not just for these dogs, for all dogs everywhere.