What is dog fighting?
Dog fighting is a blood sport where two dogs are placed in a ring or pit to viciously fight each other for the amusement of spectators and money. It involves training dogs to attack and injure each other in an attempted maiming or killing. The prolonged and brutal fights usually last until one dog is no longer able or willing to continue.
Dog fighting has a long and troubling history, originating hundreds of years ago for entertainment and gambling purposes. Though officially banned in most countries today, it still persists as an underground activity in certain areas where it is part of the culture. Dog fighting remains a serious concern with major operations uncovered every few years in places like the United States, Japan, Russia and Latin America. It continues to be a cruel form of entertainment and gambling for those involved with organizing the illegal fights.
Is Dog Fighting Illegal?
Dog fighting is illegal in all 50 states. The federal government first banned the interstate promotion, sale, ownership, possession, training, and transport of fighting dogs with the Animal Welfare Act of 1976. In 2007, Congress passed the Animal Fighting Prohibition Enforcement Act, which made dog fighting a felony under federal law. Under this law, being a spectator at an animal fight is also a felony.
Almost all states have enacted laws making dog fighting illegal. Today, only 2 states (Idaho and Wyoming) do not have statewide felony animal cruelty provisions that prohibit dog fighting. But even in these states, dog fighting is illegal under common anti-cruelty laws or criminal statutes prohibiting “instigating animal fights.” Local ordinances in major cities and counties also often prohibit dog fighting and related activities.
Most states passed anti-dog fighting laws in the late 1970s and 1980s. Today, all but a handful prosecute dogfighting as a felony offense. As public awareness of the serious cruelty involved in dog fighting has grown, law enforcement officials have cracked down on the crime over the last two decades.
Penalties for Dog Fighting
Penalties for involvement in dog fighting vary state by state, but dog fighting is a felony in all 50 states. Most states impose heavy fines and multi-year prison sentences on those convicted of dog fighting-related activities. The severity and range of punishments depend on the state and how involved a person was in dog fighting.
In states with the strictest laws, such as Florida and New Jersey, actively participating in dog fights or operating a dog fighting ring can lead to felony charges, fines exceeding $10,000, and 5-10 years in prison. Even attending a dog fight as a spectator can result in thousands of dollars in fines and years behind bars.
Meanwhile, states with more lenient laws, like North Dakota, may impose fines up to $2,000 and a maximum of 3 years in prison. The penalties tend to be most severe for the ring leaders who stage fights and operate gambling rings, compared to those who attend fights as spectators.
Judges can also impose additional punitive requirements, such as probation, community service, and banning ownership of animals. Previous dog fighting convictions often lead to harsher punishments as well. The penalties reveal the seriousness with which law enforcement and the criminal justice system take the cruel bloodsport of dog fighting.
Notorious dog fighting cases
Some of the most notorious and high-profile dogfighting cases include:
Michael Vick
In 2007, NFL quarterback Michael Vick pleaded guilty to operating an unlawful dog fighting ring called “Bad Newz Kennels” at a property he owned in Virginia. Over 50 dogs, mainly pit bull terriers, were seized from his property. Vick served nearly 2 years in federal prison followed by 3 years of supervised probation.
Missouri’s “Big Case”
In 2009, over 400 dogs were rescued in Missouri in what was considered the nation’s largest dog fighting raid at the time. Over 20 people were charged in connection with multiple dog fighting operations spanning several states.
The McIntosh County case
In 2013, 367 dogs were rescued from two properties in Georgia’s McIntosh County. 12 people were charged and sentenced on dog fighting-related crimes thanks to a multi-agency investigation.
While illegal dog fighting continues to persist, these major cases helped raise public awareness and galvanize efforts to crack down on the practice and rehabilitate abused animals.
Why People Get Involved with Dog Fighting
There are several key reasons why individuals participate in the cruel bloodsport of dog fighting:
Gambling and Profit Incentives
A major factor drawing people into dog fighting is the opportunity to gamble and make money off the fights. There is often heavy betting involved, and the purse or prize for winning can be substantial. For example, in high profile matches, pots have reached into the hundreds of thousands of dollars. This attracts both spectators looking to gamble, as well as dog owners and trainers hoping to collect big payouts.
Cultural Factors in Certain Areas
In some communities, dog fighting has unfortunately become ingrained into the culture and seen as a tradition. This is especially true in certain urban areas where dog fighting has persisted as an underground activity. Some individuals grow up in environments where dog fighting is commonplace and not questioned, making them more likely to accept and engage in it themselves.
Psychology of Dog Fighters
There are also psychological factors at play that drive certain people to get involved with dog fighting. Some may crave the status and respect that comes with owning a successful fighting dog in their community. Others enjoy the thrill and adrenaline of watching a vicious fight unfold. Cruelty towards animals is a known warning sign for future anti-social and criminal behaviors, and psychologists have suggested that those who abuse animals often lack empathy. Understanding the mentality of those involved can help efforts to eliminate this inhumane activity.
Effects of Dog Fighting
Dog fighting causes immense animal cruelty and suffering. The dogs forced to fight endure terrible abuse and injury, often dying from their wounds or being killed if they lose fights. Those that survive develop extreme aggressive and violent tendencies making them dangerous.
The cruelty involved also poses dangers for the surrounding community. Aggressive fighting dogs have frequently attacked people, including children. The illegal gambling, weapons, drugs and violence associated with dog fights threaten community safety. Spectators and organizers show a disturbing disregard for laws and human decency.
Furthermore, dog fighting perpetuates the normalization of violence. Impressionable children exposed to the violence and mentality of dog fighting may come to see cruelty and aggression as acceptable. This can lead to desensitization and similar abuse of animals and people. It creates an environment where compassion gives way to harm for entertainment.
Rehabilitation of Fighting Dogs
Despite their history of abuse and violence, many fighting dogs have the capacity to be rehabilitated and re-homed, although the process can be extremely challenging. Fighting dogs were bred and trained specifically for aggression, and it can take a lot of time, patience, and expert handlers to help them overcome those urges.
One of the biggest obstacles is that fighting dogs often show dog aggression and cannot be placed in homes with other pets. They require an experienced owner fully committed to the long process of counter-conditioning the dog to eliminate its aggressive responses. Muzzle training is usually necessary for managing the dog safely around other animals.
With proper rehabilitation, even some of the most high-profile fighting dogs have gone on to live happy lives as pets. For example, several surviving dogs rescued from Michael Vick’s infamous dog fighting operation have been successfully adopted and serve as therapy dogs – despite once being champions in the fighting pit. Their stories demonstrate that while the damage can be severe, the effects of dog fighting can be overcome with enough time, training, and caring owners.
Efforts to stop dog fighting
A number of efforts are underway to try to stamp out the cruel practice of dog fighting. Animal welfare organizations, law enforcement, and concerned citizens are all working to end this abusive activity.
Animal welfare groups like the ASPCA and Humane Society have made stopping dog fighting a top priority. They work to educate the public about the horrors of dog fighting. They also provide tip lines and rewards to help law enforcement track down dog fighters. Some groups will even rehabilitate fighting dogs rescued from illegal operations.
Public awareness campaigns help teach people about the violence and illegality of dog fighting. Billboards, social media posts, school visits, and other outreach help curb interest and involvement. Community members are encouraged to report any suspected dog fighting activities.
Law enforcement agencies also monitor for potential dog fighting operations. They investigate tips, conduct surveillance, and raid properties where fights may occur. Sophisticated undercover work is sometimes needed to infiltrate dog fighting rings. Making arrests and pressing charges is key to deterring this crime.
How to identify and report dog fighting
There are several warning signs that may indicate a dog fighting operation:
Multiple pit bulls or other dogs chained or penned up on the property. Dog fighters often keep multiple dogs for breeding and training purposes.
Dogs with scars or injuries. Fighting dogs often have bites or scars from previous matches.
Dog training equipment like treadmills or “spring poles.” These items are used to build dogs’ strength and stamina for fighting.
Drugs or veterinary supplies. Dog fighters may keep drugs on hand to treat injuries or boost dogs’ performance.
Fenced training areas or fighting pits. Secluded areas used to condition dogs to fight.
Betting slips or dog fighting publications. Dog fighting operations often place bets and follow underground dog fighting media.
If you suspect a dog fighting operation, do not confront anyone or enter private property. Call the police or animal control and report your observations anonymously. Give specific details about the location and what you witnessed.
You can also contact crime stoppers or animal welfare organizations, who can investigate suspected dog fighting operations discreetly.
Conclusion
Dog fighting is cruel and illegal sport that causes serious harm and suffering to innocent dogs. The dogs used in fights endure brutal training regimes and serious injuries in the ring, and those that lose fights often face death.
Yet despite the barbarity of the bloodsport, dog fighting remains an underground problem in many areas. Spectators, handlers, and organizers promote animal cruelty for entertainment and profit. However, dog fighting will only be stamped out through education, enforcement of severe penalties, and public refusal to accept the mistreatment of dogs.
Each of us has a role to play in ending the suffering caused by dog fighting. We must refrain from attending fights as spectators and immediately alert authorities if we suspect dog fighting activities. With persistence and commitment to protecting vulnerable animals, the cycle of violence can end.