DOGFIGHTING: A BLOODY AND CRUEL “SPORT”
“Dogfighting is a type of blood sport that turns game dogs against one another in a ring or a pit for the purposes of gambling or the entertainment of the spectators. Dogs are made to fight, sometimes to the death. It may also create a revenue stream from stud fees, admission fees, and gambling.” That is how Wikipedia explains the bloody sport. As a passionate dog lover, I feel goosebumps running down my spine just reading that.
What a sadistic competition when two dogs were bred, trained, and conditioned to fight. They are placed in a pit (a small arena enclosed by plywood walls). The spectators enjoy gambling and even more sadly entertainment while the dogs fight each other for an average of an hour. Sometimes the fights even last several hours. Fights end when one of the dogs won’t or can’t continue.
I know dogfighting is difficult to detect. People often are hesitant to report somebody to avoid confrontations. But what does that say about us? Silent bystander? Or do we support all the Michael Vicks in this country? Injured dogs with extensive wounds consistent with injuries of a “bait dog”, such as scars and cuts in various stages of healing, as well as multiple, often serious, bite wounds could be dogs involved in dogfighting. Doesn’t that make you mad too?
Some of the methods that are used to condition the dogs for fighting:
· Tires hanging from trees which are used to strengthen the bite
· Treadmills to increase cardiovascular fitness and endurance
· Catmill (also called Jenny); an apparatus looking like a carnival horse walker with several beams jetting out from a central rotating pole. Dogs are chained to one beam and another small animal like a cat, small dog, or rabbit is harnessed to or hung from another beam. The dogs run in circles chasing the bait. After the session dogs are rewarded with the bait they have been pursuing
· Very heavy chains wrapped around the dogs’ necks instead of a collar to build neck and upper body strength by bearing the immense weight of the chains.
· Tied up animals while dogs tear them apart or confined in an area to be chased and mauled by the dogs.
· Vitamins, supplements, and drugs conditions dogs to fight
It is an outrage that something like that takes place amidst us. Just use your imagination and you will have nightmares!
In all 50 states dogfighting is illegal. Idaho classifies it as a misdemeanor and in Wyoming, it is classified as a high misdemeanor. Forty-six states include a provision to the dogfighting statutes making possessing, owning, or keeping of fighting dogs illegal. Forty-eight states have provisions within the dogfighting statutes that explicitly prohibit attendance as a spectator of dogfighting exhibitions (may be updated meanwhile).
It is a sad fact that despite all the efforts in our country to eliminate dogfighting, it took on epidemic forms. Organized, large-scale dogfighting operations have declined in recent years. However, in urban areas, street dogfighting is on the rise. Neighborhood pit bull owners seeking status or bragging rights stage impromptu fights in back alleys or basements.
It is the reality that all fighting dogs suffer, whether in the pit or out. Although they are pack animals, an instinct to fight other dogs is bred into these dogs so deeply that they mainly live isolated on chains or locked in cages.
Why do I get so outspoken about dogfighting? I can’t help but think that we domesticated these wonderful animals to be our companions. We taught them to trust and love us and most of all rely on us. As a dog owner, I can’t imagine doing anything to my puppies that would put them in danger or harm's way!
What can you do to help? Educating the public and promoting awareness and, teaching children already in school to respect and care for animals. Not even our farm animals which are our meat source are supposed to be treated cruelly. Respect for any life means not to induce suffering.
Don’t hesitate to get in touch with Animal Control or the Humane Society if you observe activities that could be related to dogfighting in any way. Mostly dogfights take place in rural areas and gambling, drug dealing and other crimes go along with it. Dogs face a sad and short life. Losing dogs either die from their injuries or get discarded and the suffering the dogs endure throughout their lifetime is unspeakable.
