Dog fighting is considered a sport to many of the people involved in it. To those concerned with animal welfare, however, it is a cruel contest with serious ramifications for the animals involved, as well as the communities in which it takes place.
What is dog fighting?
Dog fighting involves putting two dogs into a ring and allowing them to fight until one of them is unable to continue due to exhaustion, injuries, or death. Fights can last anywhere from a few minutes to several hours, and animals are subjected to intense pain throughout the match. Spectators usually wager on the outcome of the fight.
People involved in dog fighting seem to be motivated mainly by status and profit. The gambling involved in this brutal sport can earn the dog owners a great deal of money. The dogs who consistently win fights are a status symbol for their owners.
Dog fights are most commonly associated to urban areas, but can occur anywhere. The fights are sometimes well organized taking place in basements, garages, and warehouses. Other fights occur on the spur of the moment on street corners and in parks.
Dog fighting is illegal in all fifty states. In most it is a felony, but there are still a few in which it is only a misdemeanor. In most places, the penalty for dog fighting is not strict enough to make it prohibitive or to encourage law enforcement officials to spend time and resources on those involved.
What are the effects on the animals used in fighting?
Fighting dogs often suffer from severe injuries, and many times die as a direct result of fighting. They can also suffer from infections resulting from injuries inflicted during a fight. It’s not uncommon for injuries such as gashes and broken bones to be left untreated after a fight. This is the reason many dogs used for fighting have scars or appear to have bone deformities.
Often other animals are used as “bait” as part of the training of fighting dogs. Dogs learn to fight by practicing with puppies, cats, and other small animals. Bait animals are neighborhood strays, puppies deemed unfit for fighting, or animals stolen from their owners. People looking for bait animals sometimes answer the ‘free to a good home” ads found in newspapers, on online forums, and hanging in public places.
Are pit bulls the only kinds of dogs used in dog fighting?
Pit bulls and pit bull mixes are the dogs most often seen in fighting rings. The reason for this is because many of them have been bred for a characteristic often referred to as “gameness”. Simply put, gameness means tenacity. It is this desire to persevere that keeps pit bulls fighting despite being injured and in pain.
Keep in mind that gameness is not necessarily a negative attribute. This same quality is what makes many pit bulls excel at things such as agility, obedience, and search and rescue. It is only when this quality is misdirected that it becomes a problem.
Does dog fighting have an effect on anyone besides the animals involved?
Dog fighting usually goes hand in hand with other criminal activity including drug activity and weapons possession. This type of activity is toxic, and will have an impact on the people in the community in which it takes place.
Another concern with dogs bred for fighting is that their aggressive behavior is encouraged. Aggressive dogs can easily turn that aggression people. This means that they are a potential threat to people in the neighborhood, especially small children.
Something else that is often noticed at dog fights is the presence of children. It is believed by many people that early incidences of violence against animals is a predictor of escalating violent behavior. Children witnessing the type of violence seen at dog fights are believed to be at risk for continued violent acts.
What can I do to help put an end to dog fighting?
Voice your opinions concerning dog fighting. You can do this by send letters to your legislators letting them know that you would appreciate their support on any legislation requiring stronger penalties for anyone involved in dog fighting.
Another way to be heard is to write letters to your local media outlets to raise awareness of this problem. Many people are not even aware of this brutal sport. Your letter can help educate others, and get them motivated to take action against it.
Finally, report any suspicious activity you witness that appears to be related to dog fighting. Take note of things such as a number of missing animals in the neighborhood. This can be a sign that a fighting dog owner is stealing pets to use as bait. Also, if you notice someone walking a dog that appears injured or to have a lot of scarring on his face, you could be dealing with someone involved in dog fighting. Never confront someone you suspect of participating in dog fighting on your own. Contact the appropriate authorities to handle the investigation.
