Dog fighting is a cruel pastime that some people find entertaining. Dog fighting is simply like today’s Ultimate Fighting Competitions, except there are no rules and the dogs participating in the “match” have no say whether they become involved or not.
In dog fighting realms, dogs are bred then trained to become fighting machines. Dogs are placed in a closed ring while their owners encourage them to fight until they are completely exhausted, suffer extreme injury, or die. The spectators of this sadistic pastime usually place bets on which animal will prevail from the long fight. These fights will sometimes last hours on end.
Are Injuries Serious?
Injuries are typical after a dogfight and range from severe bruising to puncture wounds and even broken bones. Many dogs have died due to massive blood loss resulting from a dogfight. Other health conditions inflicted after a dogfight can include, shock, sheer exhaustion and dehydration that lasts for days following the “main event”.
Is Dog Fighting Legal?
Not only is dog fighting a cruel and disgusting form of entertainment for people who participate in dog fights, it is illegal. One of the most infamous dog fighting raids involved one of America’s most popular football players, Michael Vick. In 2007, former Atlanta Falcons quarterback, was indicted by the federal government for a connection with a dog fighting operation located on his property in Virginia. Once convicted, Vick was charged with twenty-three months in jail, and the National Football League (NFL) suspended him indefinitely without pay until the legal process was finalized. Vick also lost all of his endorsement deals due to his involvement in dog fighting.
Currently, dog fighting is considered a felony charge in all fifty states, which has many advocates against dog fighting relieved the law stakes are set high. Due to the massive amounts of money that are involved in this heinous crime the fines and small penalties associated with a misdemeanor charge would be so minuscule that it would not prevent or deter this type of animal cruelty from taking place. Even with the threat of a felony charge, unfortunately, dog fighting is still an all too common occurrence. Not only does dog fighting bring many desensitized people to watch a cruel, mutilating fight that may end in death, there are often other illegal activities that are also present, like drugs and weapon sales.
Why do people like it?
It is uncertain why people are attracted to such a cruel and inhumane activity but most likely they are in it for the sense of control they gain from watching the animals fight an udder fierce competition. One of the biggest lures to become involved in dog fighting is pure greed. It has been said that some major dog fighting rings can bring in as much as $500,000 dollars, with as much as $30,000 in winnings for a single fight. There is also big money for the sale of high-quality breeds that come from a strong bloodline of fighters.
The best way to help end dog fighting, is to speak up, if you suspect the cruel and illegal act is taking place. The dogs cannot stand up for themselves, so people need to stand up for them and help end this inhuman and unlawful act.
Susan Wright, DMV has dedicated her professional life to caring for domestic animals as a veterinarian, author and dog training collar expert.
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