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Tio Hardiman Works to Protect the Underdog

February 19, 2007, 12:0AM MT

By Kelli Ohrtman

Tio educates youth about dog fighting

Tio educates youth about dog fighting

By Cathy Scott, Best Friends Animal Society

Tio Hardiman is fighting for the underdog -- literally. He has hit the streets, meeting teens who raise dogs for fighting and educating youth that animals have feelings too.

“Dogs are the underdog, because they can’t speak for themselves,” said Tio, director of gang mediation and community organizing for the Chicago Project for Violence Prevention’s Cease Fire program. For the last six months, he has been intervening in animal violence.

“These are living, breathing animals,” he said. “I tell kids, ‘You should treat your dogs as you want to be treated.’ I’m trying to get them on the right track, thinking the right way.”

Tio has traveled to 35 states, counseling teenagers in areas where gangs are prevalent, including Compton, California, which is famous for its street thugs.

Chicago’s Westside, however, is no different. It has its share of street-wise gang members.

And that’s fine with Tio. He was raised on the south end of the Westside and is familiar with the turf.

“I grew up in a real rough area, in the projects,” he said. “I had what you might call humble beginnings.”

Because of those humble beginnings, he can relate to today’s youth and the gang-bangers who keep dogs as status symbols and often graduate to training them to fight with other dogs. “I work on violence interruption, keeping guys from killing each other.”

Often the violence is extended toward animals. “They think animals are meant to be abused,” he said.

So it was a natural step to intervene in animal abuse, he explained.

While the animal intervention began six months ago, Tio has been implementing it even longer. A year and a half ago, he ran across a group of teenagers, about 17 years and older, about to fight their dogs on a Jackson Boulevard street corner on the west side of town.

“They had young pit bulls with them, about a year old, still babies,” Tio said.

He got out of his car and walked up to the group.

“I noticed there was one older dog who would have easily taken advantage of the younger ones, because he was more developed,” Tio said. “I had to use reverse psychology on these guys. I told them they could injure the dogs and they’d never be able to recover.”

At first, they told him, “Nah, these dogs were born to fight.”

But Tio was able to convince them otherwise.

“They took the dogs inside the house, and they let (the fight) go,” he said. “At least for that moment, I was able to intervene.”

Many kids get a Pit Bull or Rottweiler because it’s a macho thing to do. “It’s a status thing,” Tio explained. “The next level is about the money. In Chicago, you have guys who own high-priced dogs. They fight them because it’s high stakes.”

Many of the kids are desensitized to the dogs’ feelings.

“If a dog loses a fight, they throw him aside, leave him in a garage where he’s tied up without food, and he withers away and dies. Or they leave him in a back yard without treatment for his injuries, and he suffers.”

Tio’s job, he said, is to change the kind of thinking that causes that behavior.

“We want to stop the mindset and the violence with animals,” he said. “I’ve reached out to 30 or 40 young men who own pit bulls. On any given day, we’ll have someone come along and we’re able to talk him out of putting his dog in a fight.”

Since animal abuse intervention is a relatively new program, which appears to be the first of its kind, organizers will assess it in six months to see what the success rate is.

In the meantime, Tio plans to convince the tough teens of Chicago’s Westside that certain breeds are not born to fight.

“Most of the guys on the street think pit bulls were born to be aggressive and born to kill,” Tio said. “We have to change their thinking.

“We have to do regular follow-ups with these guys. It’s a lot of work. We want the thinking to stick.”

Pictured, Tio Hardiman during a recent visit to Best Friends and wiith Animal Expert Sherry Woodard, working with a pit bull mix named Rio.

Comments

Posted August 12, 2007, 2:41PM by shanablooma

Tio,

Thanks for all of the hard work you are doing to educate dog owners. What can I do locally? I have donated to many organizations, signed up on 'anti-dogfighting petitions' but I feel like there is no advice for what we can do on a local level. I live in the DC area and any advice would be helpful

Posted February 19, 2007, 12:16PM by Twyla

Thank you, Tio. I wish there were a thousand more people like you to spread the word. But, the work starts with one ... you make a difference for every dog you save, for every mind you change about dogfighting. I think it's crucial that you grew up in the area, understand the mentality of the young people who are fighting the dogs. You make a difference, and for that I thank you.

Posted February 19, 2007, 6:44PM by poochpower

Great article. Hopefully he is able to get through to these kids.

Posted September 04, 2007, 11:21PM by joe3

Dog fighting is a crime. If you observe people fighting dogs, or preparing to, you should be calling the police. These thugs need to go to jail.

Posted August 28, 2007, 10:46PM by jaaf

Tio~

Thank you for all of the work that you are doing, both on behalf of the dogs and the kids! I am a Chicago Public High School teacher, so I know just how crucial what you do is. I've had the Anti-Cruelty Society talk to my students at the last school that I taught at, but if you ever want to come speak at the school that I'm at now, I'd love to have you!

Posted September 04, 2007, 10:21PM by missbugg

Tio, you are an angel among men. If 0.00001% of the people in this country (in this world, for that matter) possessed 0.00001% of the determination, strength and class that you do, this world would be a much kinder place. G-d bless you for the work you are doing and the difference you are making in the lives of these forgotten kids - and their dogs. We are all better people for having come to know you. Blessings to you and yours, and GOOD LUCK!

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Posted June 04, 2007, 7:16PM by nbrown989

Tio,
I read the article in Best Friends Magazine about the program you are doing in Chicago. I think it is a great idea, and I want to start the same program up when I get back to school. I go to Fordham University and live in the Bronx, and I believe it is definitely a place where this program could thrive. Please e-mail nbrown@fordham.edu if you think this is possible. Thanks.
-Nick

Posted February 21, 2007, 5:26PM by Margaret

Let me add my thanks to Tio for a wonderful, heroic job he is doing working for positive change. Sure it's slow, but Tio is doing *something*, and hopefully he can recruit others to join him in spreading the word about treating dogs (and all animals) humanely.

Posted February 22, 2007, 8:10PM by dogsorbust

Thank you Tio for making a difference in the lives of these dogs by enlightening the kids who train them to fight. You are a true hero.

Posted February 24, 2007, 4:59PM by cottageantiques

Thanks for enlightening us to wonderful people like Tio. I agree with the other readers, that He's such a giving person, unbelievable, really. It's hard to believe people have the mindset they do about certain breeds and I'm going to hope that this program will continue and effect more and more young people's behavior towards fighting their dogs.
Bravo! on this story, Cathy,

Posted February 24, 2007, 8:14PM by doggymama4

I adopted a wonderful dog 6 years ago that was found wandering the city streets with slashed legs,ears cut with scissors and a burn from a cigarette on top of his head ...he was due to be euthanised next day.... he was used as fighting dogs bait..He is a wonderful beautiful loving animal. Thank goodness someone is reaching out and educating,something I thought needed to be done but never did anything about it. Thanks so much Tio and thank you Cathy for bringing this to attention.

Posted March 01, 2007, 7:39AM by tiggaboo

Tio,
I commend what you are doing, I have a great person that I can recommend to help you out in Chicago as that is what he has done for years, I have a pit mix that he rescued 8 years ago, only a week old and my sister has 5 pure breds. How can I hook you both up? I feel the pit bulls have the worst rap but make the best dogs, they are lovable, commited and can be controlled, it is all in the way they are treated as with any animal. Thank you again for reaching out. Please let me know how he can contact you as he is wonderful with these dogs and has no fear. He literally would jump in between these fights and take off with the underdog. He is truly blessed in what he does as well. You would make a great team in Chicago.

Posted February 20, 2007, 8:24PM by mariahspromise

At the Best Friend's 'Dangerous Dog Summit' last October, Tio made a profound statement that encapsuled (at least for me) the situation concerning pit bulls - a statement I have quoted time and again - it's a SOCIAL ISSUE!! Mean, insensitive, 'damaged' people raise mean, insensitive 'damaged' children, and dogs, regardless of race or breed!!! It's that unfortunate 'gift that keeps on giving' UNTIL it can be replaced in ways such as Tio is doing!! Truly, only because he has 'been there, done that' can he gain the respect and 'ear' (maybe even some hearts!!) of the kids he reaches out to because he broke away from 'humble means' and has not forgotten from whence he came!!!! Our prayers are with you Tio, we pray more will join in this work and that it will make a difference in not only the lives of the kids you touch, but in their 'concept' of this valiant, devoted, loyal, loving breed, the wonderful Pit Bull Terrier!!! God Bless you, Tio!! MOST SINCERELY!!
Toni

Posted February 19, 2007, 12:37PM by rescuerCalifornia

I read about an anti-graffiti law that fined the PARENTS of teens arrested for this crime. Graffiti and vandalism dropped dramatically after this law was passed. Often and sadly I see parents of low income who are not bringing up their children right. However when the parents find out if their kid is busted for spray painting a wall they are going to have to pay out of their own pockets for it, then they start doing what's right. There should be heavy fines for dog fighting. What this guy is doing is commendable but it is painstakingly slow and meanwhile many dogs will die and suffer at the hands of these kids. I will bet the dog fight he talked about breaking up didn't do much good and those kids were out the next day looking for another fight. Has anyone been mauled by a dog before? It is incredibly painful and these dogs are suffering a horrible fate. And when they are not made to fight they are treated like garbage. This is done on purpose to make them meaner and supposedly better fitghters. We need to implement mandatory fines now for this unspeakable crime.

Posted February 19, 2007, 1:56PM by kierak

Tio, I am glad to hear that someone is taking this problem on and trying to educate. It is so important for these kids and adults to learn these dogs are living breathing and feeling animals that deserve better treatment and not to be used for status, money or entertainment, and maybe with the commitment of people like yourself this world will also be educated about pitbulls and realize that ANY dog has the potirential to be dangerous it's the owner who encourges that in them. Good Luck .

Posted February 19, 2007, 2:33PM by marla

Thank you Tio for making a difference. You are a hero for sure

Thanks for the great article Cathy

Posted February 19, 2007, 4:17PM by maryann2

Thank you so much, Tio. I can't think of anything more important than the work you're doing.

Posted February 20, 2007, 8:55AM by Bipedal

It sounds as if Tio broke away from a tough
upbringing. What a challenge he has in his
work! You know that as a role model, he's
influencing a change in some of the kids and
it always starts with 1.

Posted February 20, 2007, 11:17AM by cattees

God bless you Tio. You have a gargantuan job ahead of you, but I'm confident you'll succeed.

Posted February 20, 2007, 1:17PM by JAK

Cattees said it best!!! Hang tough I'm sure you willl succeed!! Your fighting the good fight!

Posted February 20, 2007, 1:19PM by marys

Thanks seems so small when you are a true hero Tio! Thank You, Thank You for the incredible work you are doing.

Posted February 20, 2007, 1:56PM by daphnes_mom

I admire your work Tio! These kids need to have a positive influence that will educate them about animals and their feelings.
Keep up your good work!!

Posted February 20, 2007, 3:38PM by michelle

Pls visit:
http://network.bestfriends.org/stopbsl/news/

Posted February 21, 2007, 10:50AM by alex

Thank you Tio - it is a wonderful thing that you do - you are helping the dogs but you are helping the kids too - everyone benefits from this type of education.

Posted February 21, 2007, 11:5AM by kathy_g

Tio-
If only half of us had the inner strength, ability and knowledge to do what you're doing; the world could be set right for both the dogs and the youth...talk about a "win-win" situation! To paraphrase a favorite saying of mine-to move a mountain, you begin with moving one stone.....
Thank you; for all you're doing to make this world a better place for all feeling beings.