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The city of Baltimore has released the fourth ad in its continuing campaign urging young people to “Show Your Soft Side,” and treat animals with kindness.

It features Dizzy Grant, one of the world famous Harlem Globetrotters, and his dog, Saber.

Aimed at combating animal abuse, the “Show Your Soft Side” campaign began earlier this year and has also featured Baltimore Raven Jarret Johnson, Baltimore Oriole Adam Jones, and MMA fighter John Rallo, all posing with their pets.

Grant’s dog, Saber, is a two-and-a-half year old purebred boxer. He’ll be showing up, along with Grant, on billboards, print ads, and posters that make the point, “Only a punk would hurt a cat or a dog.”

The “Show Your Soft Side” campaign grew out of the work of the Mayor’s Anti-Animal Abuse Advisory Commission, which was originally created as a task force to study the issue after a pit bull named Phoenix was discovered to have been set on fire. She later died.

Given the alarming incidence of animal abuse in Baltimore, and given that many of the more horrific cases have been perpetrated by teens, the commission looked for ways to change the mindset of young people who often view the maiming and torturing of defenseless dogs and cats as a sign of “toughness” or “manhood.”

The campaign puts forth a very different message – that “being a man” includes having a “soft side” when it comes to animals.

The goal of the campaign is to influence children early — for the sake of animals, and humans. Research shows that kids who abuse animals often graduate to even more violent crimes. 

The campaign is made possible by support from Eddie’s of Roland Park, Fullmoon Marketing & Events, Kirk Designs, Inc. and Media Works, Ltd.

For more information about the campaign, you can visit its Facebook page.