Introduction
Dog fighting is a brutal blood sport where dogs are forced to fight each other, usually to the death or severe injury. It’s been banned in the United States for decades, but underground dog fighting still exists across the country today.
Participants breed, train, sell, and fight dogs for the purposes of gambling and entertainment. Fights can go on for hours until one dog dies or gives up. It’s extremely cruel and inhumane.
Dogs used in fights are normally pit bulls and other large breed dogs. They’re often kept isolated and chained up. Owners use grueling training and conditioning regimens focused on increasing the dogs’ aggression and pain tolerance.
Fights take place in secret locations like back alleys, basements, garages, abandoned buildings, backyards, and even public parks. Spectators place bets on the outcomes.
Dog fighting causes extreme animal suffering and is rightly illegal in all 50 states. Let’s take a closer look at the laws around dog fighting and the potential penalties for this crime.
Definition of Dog Fighting
Dog fighting is a form of animal cruelty in which two dogs are placed in a pit or ring and forced to fight each other for the entertainment of spectators. It is illegal in all 50 states and under federal law. Dog fighting involves significant gambling, with thousands or tens of thousands of dollars changing hands based on the outcome of a single fight.
Fights between dogs are brutal and often deadly. Dogs are provoked into aggression and forced to keep fighting, even when exhausted. They suffer severe injuries such as puncture wounds, broken bones, blood loss, crushing injuries and trauma. Owners often enhance aggression through abusive training techniques. Many dogs die during fights or from their injuries afterward.
Dog fighting operations often involve other criminal activity such as drug trafficking, illegal gambling and weapons violations. There is typically intensive breeding to produce stronger fighting dogs, as well as cruel training methods. Stolen pets are sometimes used as “bait” to provoke and train fighting dogs.
Dog Fighting Laws by State
Laws concerning dog fighting vary widely from state to state. While some states have weak laws that treat dog fighting as a misdemeanor offense, other states have enacted strong felony-level laws to crack down on this activity.
In general, under most state laws, it is a crime to own, possess, keep, train, or breed dogs with the intent to engage them in dog fighting. The laws also prohibit promoting, staging, advertising, wagering on, or profiting from dog fights. Attending a dog fight as a spectator is illegal in most states.
The penalties for violating the laws range from fines of a few hundred to thousands of dollars to years in prison, depending on the state. Some states may also require forfeiture of the animals involved in the dog fighting operation and ban people convicted under dog fighting laws from owning dogs.
Some states have additional laws allowing courts to mandate counseling, community service, and restitution to groups that care for animals injured in dog fighting operations. A few states may also tack on enhanced penalties if the dog fighting activities involve youth under 18.
Overall, there is a wide variation between states on the specific laws, regulations, definitions, and penalties related to dog fighting. It is important to check the laws for each specific state to determine the exact statutes and punishments in place.
Federal Laws
There are two major federal laws related to dog fighting in the United States:
The Animal Welfare Act was passed in 1966 and amended in 1976, 1985, 1990, 2002 and 2007. It is enforced by the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) division of the USDA. The Act prohibits animals fighting ventures and makes it unlawful for any person to knowingly sell, buy, transport, deliver, receive, or travel in interstate or foreign commerce for the purpose of fighting animals. Violators face felony charges, fines and imprisonment.
The Animal Fighting Prohibition Enforcement Act was signed into law in 2007. This Act made it a federal felony to transport animals or cockfighting implements across state or national borders. Penalties include 3 years in jail and a $250,000 fine for a first offense. Subsequent offenses can result in up to 5 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
Sentencing Guidelines
Sentencing guidelines provide recommendations for the punishments that should be imposed for dog fighting convictions. While judges have discretion in sentencing, the guidelines aim to create consistency and proportionality in sentencing based on the severity of the crime.
At the federal level, the United States Sentencing Commission provides sentencing guidelines for all federal crimes, including dog fighting. The guidelines provide a complex formula for calculating a recommended sentencing range based on the defendant’s criminal history and the nature of the offense, including factors like the number of dogs involved, bodily injury caused, and the defendant’s role.
Many states also have their own sentencing guidelines or statutory provisions that recommend sentences for dog fighting convictions. For example, in Virginia the recommended sentence for a first offense dog fighting conviction is 1-5 years imprisonment and fines up to $2500, with punishments escalating for subsequent convictions.
While judges may depart from the guidelines, they provide benchmarks and starting points for determining appropriate sentences based on the circumstances of each case.
Maximum Sentences
Some states and federal laws allow for severe maximum sentences for dog fighting charges. However, the harshest punishments are usually only given in extreme cases with aggravating factors. Some examples of maximum sentences for dog fighting include:
- Up to 5 years in federal prison under the federal animal fighting law.
- Up to 10 years in prison in Arizona for owning, possessing, keeping or training a dog for fighting.
- Up to 10 years in prison in Georgia for dogfighting if the dog suffers bodily injury.
- Up to 10 years in prison in Texas for attending as a spectator an exhibition of dog fighting.
- Up to 15 years in prison in Oklahoma if a minor under 18 is exposed to an animal fighting event.
Judges have wide discretion in sentencing and will consider the specific circumstances of each case. While long sentences are possible, the maximum punishments are rarely applied except for organizers or in cruelty cases. Fines, probation, or shorter jail terms are more common.
Average Sentences
Dog fighting is typically prosecuted under anti-cruelty laws in each state. Though the maximum sentences can be severe, ranging from 5-10 years in prison depending on the state, the average sentences are often much lower.
For a first time offender convicted of a misdemeanor dog fighting charge, the sentence may only be probation or up to 1 year in jail. Those who plead guilty may receive lighter sentences.
However, for those convicted of felonies related to dog fighting, average sentences tend to be around 2-3 years in prison. Those running major dog fighting operations may receive sentences on the higher end around 5 years.
Sentences also increase for those with prior criminal histories related to drugs, weapons, or violence. Repeat offenders of dog fighting will typically see harsher punishments as well.
While maximum sentences provide the upper limit, realistically the average person convicted for a dog fighting crime will serve less than 5 years unless there are aggravating factors.
Aggravating Factors
There are certain factors that can increase the sentences for those convicted of dog fighting crimes. Judges have significant discretion when imposing sentences, so the presence of aggravating factors often leads to harsher punishment.
Some key aggravating factors that can lead to longer sentences for dog fighting include:
- Evidence of animal cruelty, such as inflicting unnecessary suffering on the dogs.
- Prior criminal record, especially related to animal abuse or dog fighting.
- Involvement of minors in the dog fighting operation.
- Possession of large numbers of dogs and evidence of long-running dog fighting activities.
- Involvement in interstate dog fighting operations or gambling on dog fights.
- Presence of weapons, drugs, or other illegal activities associated with the dog fighting ring.
- Being a ringleader who organized, ran, or funded a commercial dog fighting operation.
- Failure to cooperate with law enforcement or attempts to conceal illegal activities.
Judges take a very dim view of those who promote or celebrate dog fighting in an ongoing criminal enterprise. As such, the presence of aggravating factors often leads to the maximum sentences allowable under the law.
Case Studies
There have been several high-profile dog fighting cases in recent years that highlight the severe sentences this crime can carry:
Michael Vick
In 2007, NFL quarterback Michael Vick plead guilty to federal conspiracy charges related to operating a dog fighting ring. Over 70 dogs were seized from his property. Vick was sentenced to 23 months in federal prison followed by 3 years of supervised release. He served 21 months and returned to the NFL in 2009.
Robert Hackman
Robert Hackman was sentenced to 5 years in prison in 2011 for operating a dog fighting ring with over 500 dogs. This was one of the largest dog fighting cases in American history. Hackman was a well-known figure in the underground dog fighting world.
Adrian Martell Wilson
Florida resident Adrian Martell Wilson received a 10-year prison sentence in 2015 after pleading guilty to dog fighting charges. Investigators found 76 scarred and injured pit bulls chained outside his home. Due to the abusive conditions, Wilson received nearly the maximum sentence under Florida law.
These cases reveal the multi-year prison sentences defendants can receive when convicted of felony dog fighting charges. Sentences escalate when there is evidence of animal cruelty and abuse.
Conclusion
To recap, dog fighting is a brutal and inhumane blood sport that has been outlawed throughout the United States. Engaging in dog fighting activities can lead to felony criminal charges and years in prison. While laws and sentencing guidelines vary by state, federal law can also apply. On average, dog fighters are sentenced to multiple years in prison if convicted. The maximum sentence can be up to 10 years depending on the nature of the crime and any aggravating factors. Ultimately, the best way to curb dog fighting is through education, advocacy, and reporting suspicious activities to authorities. With diligence from law enforcement and the public, we can work to eradicate dog fighting and promote more humane treatment of man’s best friend.