The Origin of Dog Fighting
The history of the American Pit Bull Terrier (and similar breeds) is tainted by dog fighting, which |
| Pit bulls should not be defined solely by their breed's history. |
In the 19th century in the United Kingdom, the pit bull was bred and designed for one purpose: fighting. Although the breed was originally devised for the sport of bull baiting, bull baiting was eventually banned, and owners began using pit bulls to fight each other.
At the time, dog fighting operated and was considered in very different terms than those of present-day. Owners greatly prized their animals and went to great lengths to keep them healthy. The sport, although still cruel, was highly respected across the United Kingdom, the United States, and other countries.
How Did Laws Change Dog Fighting Culture?
In the 20th century, the sport of dog fighting became a felony by law. Although these laws were desperately needed, they also greatly changed the dog-fighting culture. Because of the new felony laws, the lawyers, doctors, and well-respected people who orginally fought dogs no longer did so. Instead, people who accepted a felon status, such as drug dealers and murderers, launched into the sport for the sole purpose of gaining money through gambling and garning a reputation.
This changed culture has resulted in the commonplace occurrence of a dog fighter who locks his or her animal in a trunk while driving around a city block at night. When the fighter finds someone else looking for the same sport, the dogs are taken out and fought. Although this "casual" fighters are very common, some dog fighters are considered more "professional" and own a fighting dog business while participating in organized fights with other "professionals."
How are Fighting Dogs Created?
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| A female that was bred repeatedly for dog fighting. |
Fighting dogs are typically bred for stamina, strength, and gameness, which is the determination to keep fighting through pain. These dogs are typically given steroids, starved, and chained up. Owners usually prefer using dogs that show high human aggression, and they often give the the dogs bait animals such as cats, rabbits, and small dogs to incite a taste for blood. It is also not rare for owners to put weights around the animals' necks and force them to use treadmills in order to build muscle.
Female dogs are usually reserved for breeding only and are often bred repeatedly through their lifetime. Their movement is restricted by being tied up or attached to a breeding stand that makes breeding them easier. Puppies from notable bloodlines may be worth a few thousand dollars.
What Happens in a Dog Fight?
Dog fights usually occur in a pit between 14 and 20 square feet that may be constructed with hay bales, wooden planks, chain fence, or other objects. The floor of the pit may be straw, dirt, carpet, or
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| Convicted NFL player Michael Vick and some of the dogs he fought. |
In more organized or "professional" fights, the dogs are weighed first to ensure animals are fighting in the same weight class. Animals are also examined for toxic substances that may hurt the opposing dog, such as poison coated along the neck fur.
Dogs are released from both ends and meet in the middle, where they try to grab a hold of each other and shake or rip to cause damage. Handlers may not touch the dogs during the fight, and a referee is present.
After a fight, dogs may be killed or tortured for losing. Many dog fighters involve money during fights, and the loss of money and/or street reputation often makes them take it out on the dog. Some dog fighting busts have revealed money in sums of more than $500,000, so it is easy to see why losses might result in the death or maiming of dogs.
The dog fighter's creed is, "Breed the best and bury the rest."
The Impact
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| Pit bulls are taught to be mean and are not born that way. |
Unfortunately, dog fighting has led to a dreadful perception of pit bulls and other breeds as mindless, aggressive killers. Human societies often euthanize rescued fighters because they see them as unchangeable. Oftentimes, people walk to the other side of the road when passing a pit bull, or demand that they be destroyed because they assume the fault lies with the breed. Bad owners create bad dogs.
Dog fighting is a horrific, inhumane sport that takes an otherwise loving, loyal animal and turns it into a killer. If you were put in the place of the fighting dog, that is, starved, beaten, and forced to kill, wouldn't you be aggressive, too?
Anyone interested in more information about the reality of dog fighting might be interested in viewing this documentary.
"Animal Fighting Facts." Animal Legal Defense Fund, Feb. 2009. Web. 26 Sept. 2014.
Cloos, Paul. "2 arrests made in Atmore dog fight."Photograph. blog.al.com, 24 June 2008. Web. Sept. 26 2014. <link>.
"Dogfighting Fact Sheet." The Humane Society of the United States, 15 Jan. 2014. Web. 25 Sept. 2014.
Deliquesce-Flux Photography. "The Big Terrifying Pit Bull." Photograph. deviantart.com, 2011. Web. 26 Sept. 2014. <link>.
Jaded-Night Photography. "Yummy Disc." Photograph. deviantart.com, 2011. Web. 26 Sept. 2014. <link>.
"Michael Vick: No sympathy. No second chance. No NFL." Photograph. examiner.com, 19 May 2009. Web. 26 Sept. 2014.
