Introduction
Dog fighting is an abusive and illegal blood sport where dogs are forced to fight each other for the entertainment of spectators and financial gain of organizers. It involves significant cruelty and suffering for the dogs involved. Despite being outlawed in most parts of the world, dog fighting still takes place in some areas.
One aspect of dog fighting events is the application of soap to the coats of fighting dogs before they enter the pit. There are different theories as to why soap is used, ranging from helping the dogs grip each other better during fights to masking their scent. The use of soap is controversial, though some dog fighters believe it gives their dog an advantage over the opponent.
History of Dog Fighting:
The origins of dog fighting are unclear, but evidence suggests it likely began thousands of years ago in various parts of the world. Ancient peoples may have pitted dogs to entertain crowds or to gamble on fights. Some believe dog fighting began as early as the time of the Ancient Romans, who bred dogs for combat in arenas.
Although originally an activity on the fringes of society, dog fighting gained popularity in England during the 18th and especially 19th centuries. Breeders began developing strains specifically for fighting, aiming to maximize traits like aggression, strength, and pain tolerance.
Fighting was originally conducted in pits for crowd entertainment or wagering. The fights ended when one dog died or gave up, though death was not the sole goal. Rules and techniques were largely informal and local. As dog fighting spread to America, additional tools like breaking sticks came into use to control the fights.
Purpose of Soap
Soap is applied to fighting dogs for several perceived benefits in the dogfighting ring.
One of the main reasons soap is used is to help the dogs get a better grip on their opponents during a fight. Dog fighters will rub bar soap on a dog’s legs, shoulders, and chest area right before a match. This applies a slippery, waxy coating to the dog’s fur and skin. Supposedly, this allows the dogs to latch on tighter to the other dog without their teeth and jaws sliding off during intense shakes and tussles.
The soap is also believed to help mask the dog’s natural scent. Dogs rely heavily on smell, so having a strong scent of soap instead of their natural odor may make it harder for the opposing dog to target areas to bite. The soap’s odor may also have an intimidating effect, overwhelming the other dog’s senses.
In addition to grip and scent masking, some dogmen claim the soap helps rinse blood off the dogs during the fight, allowing them to see better. The soap may also lubricate the skin to allow bites to slide off easier. However, these supposed benefits are unproven and soap is not a necessity for dog fighting.
Increased Grip
One of the main reasons soap is applied to fighting dogs is to help them get a better grip during the fight. The soap acts as a lubricant between the dog’s paws and the fighting surface, allowing their paws to slide into position more easily when grasping and gripping their opponent. This gives fighting dogs an advantage over non-soaped dogs in getting purchase for bites and takedowns.
When a dog’s paws are dry, getting solid traction and grip can be difficult, especially on slick concrete or other hard surfaces often used for fights. The application of soap helps their paws stick and latch on better when grappling. The improved grip can allow fighting dogs to maintain their hold despite their opponent’s attempts to break free.
In addition to paws, soap may be applied to other areas like a dog’s shoulders, back, and neck to make it more difficult for the opposing dog to find purchase for bites. The slippery soap coating minimizes the surface area for an opponent to grab onto and gives the soaped dog an edge.
While improved grip provides an advantage in dog fights, it comes at the cost of significant animal cruelty. The use of any animals in organized fighting is unacceptable, regardless of whether soap or other tactics are used.
Masking Scent
One reason soap is applied to fighting dogs is to mask their natural scent. A dog’s sense of smell is very powerful, allowing them to detect fear or aggression in other dogs. When two dogs are preparing to fight, their ability to pick up on scents can influence their behavior and reactions. By applying soap or other strong-smelling agents to a dog’s fur, handlers aim to neutralize the dog’s odor and prevent their opponent from sensing anything that might affect its performance in the fight.
Masking a dog’s scent essentially creates an “olfaction blindfold” so the opponent cannot anticipate its moves based on chemical signals. This can prevent the opposing dog from recognizing fear or submission, potentially making it more willing to initiate combat. The masking also aims to stop the dog from detecting if its opponent is sick or injured, which could offer a competitive advantage. Applying pungent soaps, oils or chemicals before a fight helps remove this sensory aspect from the equation so that the dogs’ interactions are based solely on touch and vision once in the pit.
Intimidation
One of the reasons dog fighters put soap in a fighting dog’s mouth prior to a match is to intimidate the opponent. Having a dog enter the pit with suds oozing from its mouth presents an imposing image, making the dog appear rabid and frenzied. This is an attempt to gain a psychological edge by making the opposing dog fearful or hesitant before combat even begins.
The sight of a dog with a mouth full of frothing soap bubbles is meant to be frightening and alarming. Dog fighters believe this gives their dog a head start by scaring the other dog. It’s a tactic used solely for showmanship and intimidation, as the soap itself provides no physical advantage. The goal is to make the dog look as menacing as possible right from the start.
Rinsing Blood
When dogs are fighting, blood is often spilled. Soap can help handlers rinse away blood from their dogs’ coats. After a fight, soap and water may be used to clean the dogs before transporting them away from the area. This helps remove evidence of an illegal dog fight.
By rinsing away blood, soap also helps prevent dogs from being distracted by the scent and taste of blood on themselves or their opponent. Removing the blood helps the dogs focus on continuing to fight aggressively.
In addition, soap and water can help rinse away external wounds to potentially assess their severity. However, this in no way properly disinfects or treats any injuries sustained during dog fights.
Lubrication
One of the main purposes for applying soap to fighting dogs is to lubricate their jaws and neck muscles. The thick, slippery texture of soap allows the dog’s jaws to open and clamp down repeatedly without straining the muscles or causing friction burns around their mouth. This allows the dogs to bite and hold on without their jaws tiring as quickly.
The soap also lubricates the neck muscles, enabling the dog to violently shake its head while maintaining a firm grip on the opponent. This lubrication prevents the neck muscles from cramping up or becoming sore during an intensive fight. With soap applied, the dog can shake and whip its head forcefully back and forth to inflict more damage on the other dog.
Overall, the lubricating effect of the soap allows fighting dogs to bite and shake with intense force for longer periods before fatigue sets in. This gives them an advantage in drawn-out, vicious fights.
Downsides of Soap Use
While soap may appear to have some benefits for fighting dogs, its use also comes with downsides and risks. The main issue is that soap can get into dogs’ eyes, nostrils, mouth, and wounds, causing irritation and injuries. The detergents and other chemicals in soap can sting if they get in a dog’s eyes or open cuts. Biting and latching onto soapy fur can also cause the dog to ingest soap, leading to upset stomach, vomiting, and diarrhea. The use of harsh soaps can dry out a dog’s skin, leading to flakiness and cracking. Additionally, soap can break down a dog’s natural skin oils and protective barriers. Frequent use of soap disrupts the microbiome balance on a dog’s skin, which can allow harmful bacteria or fungal infections to take hold. Overall, while soap may provide some perceived benefits for illegal dog fighting, its use also poses health risks that ethical dog owners would avoid.
Conclusion
In summary, there are several reasons why soap is sometimes applied to fighting dogs in the abusive and illegal practice of dog fighting:
– Soap can increase a dog’s grip by making their paws more slippery. This allows the dog to grasp and hold onto their opponent more effectively during a fight.
– Soaping a dog down can help mask their natural scent, which dogs rely on to gather information. This scent masking can make the dogs more likely to fight.
– The sudsy, frothy appearance of a soaped dog is intended to make them look more intimidating.
– Soap can help rinse away blood during a fight, allowing it to continue longer.
– Applying soap provides lubrication, which some believe may allow dogs to maneuver better.
While these perceived benefits exist among illegal dog fighters, it’s critical to understand dog fighting is utterly inhumane and should be rejected in the strongest possible terms. There are no pros that can justify this unethical practice.