Last week I wrote to you about how I was thrown from a rooftop in Brooklyn and was recuperating in the medical center here at North Shore Animal League America. If you missed it, you can read my story and watch a video of me here.

Since pit bulls are probably the most abused and misunderstood of all the dog breeds, I thought I should write again with a bit more information about us and urge you to sign the League's Pledge to End Pit Bull Abuse and Animal Cruelty. Your awareness of this problem and commitment to end the plight of abused animals can make such a difference to so many defenseless pets. Be sure to pass the Pledge along to your friends and family too so we can spread the word and inform even more people who can make a difference.

Terrible things are done to pit bulls every day. Things that are too gruesome and heartbreaking to relate to you in an email, but I feel you should know that they are happening. Contrary to popular opinion, we pit bulls are not the problem. The real problem lies in the mindset of people who raise us to be vicious.

Many pit bulls are raised to be fighting dogs, which is a gruesome and bloody sport that is gaining popularity across the country. Dogs like me are raised and trained to be vicious to other dogs (and sometimes people, although this is actually against our nature). Smaller dogs are often used as "bait" and ripped apart in training by the fighting dogs that have been driven into a frenzy. Young pit bull puppies commonly have tires chained around their necks and are forced to run behind moving vehicles to make them "tough." To condition their jaws for fighting, they are often encouraged to hang by their teeth from tree branches or rafters knowing that if they let go, they will fall far to the ground. And if they lose the fight, angry owners have been known to punish them in horrific ways like dowsing them in gasoline and setting their paws on fire; running them behind cars until they collapse from exhaustion and are then dragged to death; or simply throwing them from a rooftop.

It is hard to believe that people can be so cruel and abusive, but trust me, unspeakable pit bull abuse is happening every day. I am writing to you because you can help. Here are the three simple things you can do to help put an end to this senseless violence.

North Shore Animal League America believes that by educating children of all ages to care about animals and give value to all life, we can stop the terrible mistreatment of pit bulls and so many other animals that are misunderstood, tortured and abused every day. Please take a moment to pass this on and continue your support for this important program.