Introduction
Dog fighting is an illegal bloodsport in which dogs are forced to fight each other, often to the death or until serious injury occurs. Historically, dog fighting was practiced in many parts of the world, but today it continues primarily as an underground activity in some areas.
As part of the preparations before a dog fight, it has been a common practice to wash the fighting dogs with soap or other cleaning agents. The rationale given by dog fighters for washing dogs before a match is that it can make the grip during the fight more difficult by making the dogs’ coats slippery. However, animal welfare advocates argue that the practice is cruel and traumatic for the dogs.
History of Dog Fighting
Although dog fighting is illegal in most of the world today, the blood sport has a centuries-long history in some cultures. The modern form of dog fighting arose in England in the 19th century from earlier clandestine practices of pitting dogs against bulls or bears for entertainment. However, using dogs for fighting dates back much further in history.
One early depiction of dog fighting is in ancient Roman artwork from 36 BC that shows two dogs locked in combat. In medieval Europe, a bloody sport called “baiting” rose in popularity, in which fighting dogs would be pitted against chained bulls, bears, or other animals. This later evolved into dog versus dog combat for spectator entertainment in Victorian England during the industrial revolution.
Dog fighting began to spread to other parts of the world through European colonization and immigration. For example, it arrived in Japan in the 1920s after being introduced by Westerners. In the United States, the blood sport was prevalent in the Southern states. However, dog fighting did not become part of mainstream culture there and was outlawed in most states by the 1930s, although it persisted as an underground activity associated with crime and gangs.
Today, dog fighting takes place in many regions globally, despite bans. Advocates against the illegal sport continue efforts to eradicate it completely due to the associated animal cruelty, gambling, and other criminal activities.
Pre-Fight Preparations
In the illegal world of dog fighting, owners and handlers go through extensive preparations to get their dogs ready before a fight. This includes a variety of techniques and practices that are intended to give their dog an advantage over the opponent.
One common practice is to wash and scrub the competing dogs thoroughly before a fight. The dog’s coat is saturated with water and cleaning agents like shampoo or soap. Some handlers believe this serves multiple purposes:
- Removing dirt and debris that could get into wounds during the fight and cause infections.
- Making the coat slick and more difficult for the opponent to get a grip on the skin.
- Removing the dog’s scent so it is less familiar to the opponent.
The dogs are generally washed right before the fight when they are being prepared in the pit. However, some handlers start washing their dog more frequently in the weeks leading up to the fight to get them used to the process.
While these may be the purported reasons for washing fighting dogs, the practice has been criticized as inhumane. The chemicals can irritate a dog’s skin, and the process is unnecessary as it provides no benefit to the dogs themselves.
Purpose of Washing Dogs
There are a few theories as to why dog fighters wash dogs with soap before a fight. One is that washing cleans the coat and removes dirt or debris that could hinder the dog during the fight. The soap helps cut through oils on the fur and ensures a deep clean.
Another potential reason is that washing makes the coat slicker, which may allow the dogs to slide off each other more easily during the fight. Soap can act as a lubricant on the fur. Some claim this gives the dogs an advantage in the fight when they are slippery and hard to grab onto.
There is also a theory that washing removes the dog’s scent, preventing the opposing dog from getting a strong sense of its opponent before the fight. Washing may “reset” the dog’s smell and prevent the other dog from getting agitated before the match starts.
Finally, some speculate that washing is just part of the pre-fight ritual and routine. It may be done more for tradition rather than having any major impact on the dog’s performance. The practice gets the dogs “fight ready” from a mental standpoint.
Effects of Washing on Dogs
Washing fighting dogs with soap or other cleaning agents can have negative physical and psychological impacts. The harsh chemicals used can strip away protective oils in a dog’s coat, leading to dry, flaky skin and hair loss. The unnatural scents of soaps and shampoos can also overstimulate a dog’s sensitive nose, causing discomfort or disorientation. Mentally, the practice of forcibly bathing a dog against its will is often traumatizing. It undermines the human-animal bond and destroys any sense of safety or trust the dog has. The stress of the washing process can cause lasting anxiety, fear, and even aggression in dogs subjected to it regularly. Ultimately, forcibly washing dogs against their will has no benefits and only risks harming them both physically and psychologically.
Chemistry of Dog Washing
Washing fighting dogs with certain soaps can create chemical reactions that alter the dog’s natural odor and may temporarily neutralize some aggression-inducing pheromones. Many conventional soaps contain ingredients like sodium hydroxide, or lye, which can react with fatty acids on the dog’s skin. This reaction creates sodium salts of the fatty acids, essentially “cleaning” the dog’s coat by removing dirt and oil. However, it also removes the dog’s natural scent. Some aggressive dogs use scent to communicate and identify each other, so removing their scent can temporarily reduce territorial behaviors. The effect wears off as the dog’s body chemistry returns to normal.
Sometimes more caustic chemical solutions are used, especially solutions containing ammonia. Ammonia can react with the proteins and acids in a dog’s mucus and saliva, creating a temporary scent change. However, these chemical reactions are harsh and can damage the dog’s skin and coat. Responsible dog owners and handlers avoid using caustic chemicals and rely on milder soaps and gentle cleaning methods instead. The chemistry of dog washing reveals that a simple bath has complex effects, but there are safer ways to temporarily alter a dog’s scent that do not involve chemicals.
Alternatives to Washing
While washing fighting dogs with soap is a common practice, there are other pre-fight preparations that may be used instead of or in addition to washing:
Some dog fighters will rub their dogs with alcohol or hydrogen peroxide rather than soap before a fight. The intended purpose is the same – to eliminate oils and loose fur to make the dog’s skin harder for an opponent to grab onto during the fight.
Conditioning the coat is another alternative or additional step. Dog fighters may use fabric softener, leave-in conditioner, or oil to make the dog’s coat slick and difficult for the other dog to grasp.
Shaving or closely clipping the dog’s fur is another technique, again with the aim of reducing graspable fur. However shaving can leave abrasions, cuts or nicks on the dog’s skin which could negatively impact their fighting ability.
Finally, some dog fighters may apply caustic substances like chili powder or mustard oil to sensitive areas like the nose, eyes and genitals. This causes pain and distraction for the opposing dog.
Ethics of Dog Fighting
Dog fighting is an increasingly controversial practice. Many animal welfare advocates argue that forcing dogs to fight each other for entertainment is unethical and cruel. Here are some of the main ethical arguments against dog fighting:
Dog fighting inflicts unnecessary suffering on the animals involved. The dog fights themselves often lead to severe injuries and death in the dogs. The dogs often live in poor conditions and are trained using harsh methods like baiting, which involves bait animals being mauled or killed. All of this causes physical and psychological trauma in the dogs forced to fight.
Participating in dog fighting normalizes violence against animals. The act of forcing animals to fight for our entertainment reflects a troubling view that animal suffering is acceptable for our own pleasure. This can lead to further cruelty against animals being seen as normal or justified.
Dog fighting is illegal in most places. People involved in dog fighting often commit other crimes too like illegal gambling, drug trafficking, and gang violence. The illegal underground nature of dog fighting makes oversight and animal welfare protections impossible.
Breeding dogs for aggression has negative societal impacts. Selectively breeding dogs to be increasingly aggressive for fighting fuels misconceptions about certain breeds being inherently dangerous. Irresponsible owners often gravitate towards these dogs, leading to further problems.
There are more ethical forms of entertainment. We do not need to force animals to fight purely for our amusement. There are many exciting sports and contests that willing human participants can engage in instead.
In summary, dog fighting raises major ethical concerns about inflicting harm on animals for entertainment, normalizing violence, ignoring laws, and breeding aggressive traits in dogs. Many argue these factors make dog fighting an unethical practice that should be abolished.
Efforts Against Dog Fighting
Policies and social campaigns are underway to end the cruel practices of dogfighting rings. Dogfighting is banned in all 50 U.S. states and the District of Columbia, Guam, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and many other countries. Most states have made dogfighting a felony offense. The federal Animal Welfare Act also prohibits the interstate transport of animals for fighting purposes. Unfortunately, dogfighting still takes place illegally across the globe, sometimes in secretive underground venues. However, hundreds of kennels have been raided and shut down thanks to increased enforcement and reporting hotlines. Advocacy organizations, including the ASPCA and The Humane Society, have run education campaigns aimed at raising awareness of animal abuse and encouraging the public to report suspected dogfighting activities. They partner with law enforcement to rescue dogs from fighting operations, provide medical care and rehabilitation, and find them new homes. Though there is still work to be done, the tide is turning against this brutal bloodsport through comprehensive laws, enforcement, and public engagement.
Conclusion
In summary, the practice of washing fighting dogs with soap is a tradition that dates back many years. Dog fighters believe it removes oils from the dog’s coat and makes them more difficult to grip during a fight. However, the practice is very harmful to the dogs, drying out their skin and making injuries more severe. Ethically, dog fighting should be banned entirely as it is extremely cruel. But while it persists, education and advocacy to end traditions like dog washing are needed. Readers who are concerned should contact their representatives to support stronger laws against animal cruelty and dog fighting.