Information on Dog Fighting

Dog fighting is a contest in which two dogs are put in a small area for the purpose of fighting each other while spectators watch. These dogs are specifically bred and trained to fight for spectator's entertainment or gambling purposes. The fights, which may last several hours, end when one dog is no longer able to fight.

  1. History

    • Dog fighting has been documented as far back as the 1750s. People of every ethnicity, color and age have participated, ranging from spectators to protesters. The development of modern dog fighting can be traced back to 1835, when bulldog baiting was banned in England. At that time, bulldogs were used as bait to lure in bulls, bears and other animals. After the ban, the owners of the bulldogs started staging fights between their dogs. The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals notes, "The largest, heaviest bulldogs were soon crossed with smaller, quicker terriers to produce the 'bull terriers,' who became the fountainhead of today's prominent fighting breeds. Staffordshire Bull Terriers, American Staffordshire Terriers and Pit Bull Terriers all hail from this ancestry. Commonly, dogs who fall into this broad class are identified as pit bulls."

    Animal Suffering

    • Dogs involved in these fights often suffer from severe injuries, which may result in a fatal outcome. The dogs commonly die of dehydration, exhaustion, blood loss, shock or infection. They may die hours or days after the fight. In addition, sometimes animals other than dogs are used in the fighting. According to The Humane Society of the United States, "Some owners train their dogs for fights using smaller animals such as cats, rabbits or small dogs. These 'bait' animals are often stolen pets or animals obtained through 'free to good home' advertisements."

    Dogfights

    • Law enforcement experts have categorized dog fighting into three categories--street fighting, hobbyist fighting and professional activity. Street fighting entails dog fights that generally occur in back alleys or street corners. These fights are usually spontaneous and associated with gang activities. Hobbyists fights are more organized. They are usually done for experimenting and money. Professional dog fighters often involve a larger number of animals and money is earned from breeding, selling and fighting dogs.

    Illegal Activity

    • Dog fighting is against the law. Not only does it promote and cause animal suffering, it supports many other illegal activities. It promotes illegal gambling as spectators will often place bets on the last dog standing. Bets can be as high as thousands of dollars, resulting in guns and other weapons being present. Drugs are often found at dog fights as well. The Humane Society of the United States also notes the impact dog fighting can have on children, stating, "Young children are sometimes present at the events, which can promote insensitivity to animal suffering, enthusiasm for violence and a lack of respect for the law."

    How You Can Help

    • There are ways to help stop dog fighting. People often write letters to the media, law enforcement officials or prosecutors and judges to increase awareness of the dangers of dog fighting. Others have displayed anti-dog fighting posters in their community.