LOS ANGELES, CA--(Marketwire -
September 10, 2007) - "DEALING DOGS," HBO's shocking
documentary about pet theft, has been nominated for two Emmy
Awards: Best Cable Documentary & Outstanding Investigative
Journalism - Long Form. "Dealing Dogs," which illuminates the
efforts of undercover investigators from the animal rights
group Last Chance for Animals (LCA), has already won the
prestigious Genesis Award for Outstanding Cable Documentary.
The film concerns the
nationwide problem of pet theft, focusing on a USDA-licensed
category of shady individuals known as "Class B Dealers," who
accumulate dogs from a wide variety of undocumented "random
sources" and sell them to research laboratories. These animals
are often pets, dognapped from yards, dishonestly "adopted"
from shelters, purchased at flea markets, or obtained from
"free to good home" ads.
"Dealing Dogs" follows an LCA
undercover agent risking his life to expose horrifying acts of
animal cruelty and unthinkable atrocities by America's most
notorious Class B Dealer: C.C. Baird. Baird collected
thousands of cats and dogs and sold them to unscrupulous
laboratories for research. Said LCA Founder and President
Chris DeRose, "The horror these animals would ultimately find
in the laboratory was actually exceeded by the terror they
experienced in the pipeline, as documented by HBO in 'Dealing
Dogs.'"
Baird's facility, Martin
Creek Kennels in Arkansas, supplied thousands of animals to
many of the country's research labs, including the University
of Irvine and Iowa State University. A majority of the dogs
were proven to be stolen pets. Desperate to shut down Baird's
multi-million dollar operation, LCA succeeded in placing an
agent, "Pete," undercover for six months inside Baird's
Arkansas kennel. "Pete" videotaped 70 hours worth of evidence,
and documented hideous crimes committed against these dogs.
Read about the subsequent C.C. Baird court case at
www.dealingdogs.com.
Actor and LCA Founder Chris
DeRose has devoted 23 years to exposing such "Class B Dealers"
as Baird. He noted, "My joy at seeing C.C. Baird and Martin
Creek Kennel shut down is tempered only by the knowledge that
there are still other B Dealers out there, stealing our
companion animals and holding them in horrid conditions."
Recipient of the 1977 'Courage of Conscience' International
Peace Award, DeRose has devoted himself to saving and
protecting animals from cruelty, giving these vulnerable
creatures a last chance to live with the dignity they so
deserve.
Chris DeRose and undercover
investigator "Pete" are available for media interviews. For
more on this extraordinary film, the C.C. Baird criminal case,
and pet theft, visit
www.dealingdogs.com.
Last Chance for Animals (LCA),
a national animal rights organization based in Los Angeles,
was founded in 1984 and has over 100,000 members. Founded and
led by animal expert, author, and actor Chris DeRose, LCA
fights for the rights of animals by conducting investigations
that expose animal cruelty. For more information, visit
www.LCAnimal.org
To interview Chris Derose,
please contact Eileen Koch @ Eileen Koch & Company,
310.441.1000 or email Eileen @
Eileen@eileenkoch.com.
