Fighting for Life
As of 2007, according to the Humane Society of the United States, over 250,000 dogs were forced into dog fighting in our country (Services, 2011). Although this number may not seem huge, it continues to grow as time passes. Furthermore, this number does not include other animals used in the animal fighting world, such as cockfighting, bait animals (Bait animals are animals used to train dog’s how to fight, or strengthen their fighting skills) and other various small animals (Services, 2011). It is unfortunate to explain that dog fighting happens everywhere, and all walks of life can be involved. It is a known fact among experts that dog fighting is not prone to a certain socio-economic status, race, religion and/or culture. Many different types of people are involved in the world of dog fighting (Campbell, 2003).
In terms of the type of people involved with dog fighting, experts have split individuals involved in this underground world into three categories: street level, hobbyists and professionals. The street level of dog fighting is what usually occurs in the lower socio-economic neighborhoods; a lot of the times gangs, children and teenagers partake in the event. When street level dog fighting occurs it is most likely unstructured and unplanned, and most importantly, the worst abuse is inflicted on the animals. The abuse is worse than the other two levels because the care for the animal is not in any type of structured environment. The people involved in the street level dog fighting world will often beat, burn, torture and kill their dogs or someone else’s. Usually the abuse is the result of a dog losing a fight, or the dog not continuing a fight (Campbell, 2003). Furthermore, on the street, children will participate in their own illegal dog fighting. Without any understanding of the implications and injuries it can cause animals, children become involved because their parents’, friends or siblings are involved (Campbell, 2003). As the level of dog fighting progresses, the operation becomes more structured, and planned.
Hobbyists are the type of people who are involved in dog fighting as a major hobby. These people will likely own multiple dogs; shelter them within their homes, and yards (Campbell, 2003). The owners of the dogs often breed fighting dogs in order to make profit. In result of their multiple dog ownership, the owners will travel within their hometown and surrounding towns to participate in dog fighting. This environment is more structured, planned out, and often times, will feature a referee, and rules to abide by. When the hobbyists are hosting dogfights, more often than not, other illegal activities will be involved such as, substance abuse and distribution, gambling, homicides, violence among the humans and other illegal acts. Similar to the street level dogfighters, hobbyists are involved with gangs, or gang members will be present during the fights in order to participate in gambling (Animals, 2011). As we move onto a more sophisticated level of dog fighting, we see that the structure and environment is more “professional,” and careful.
Professional dogfighters will travel throughout the country and sometimes even outside the country in order to fight their dogs (Animals, 2011). Professionals are breeders of dogs that have fighting bloodlines; meaning that the parents, grandparents, and so on, all have been successful fighters in the ring. Breeders can make a profit of over $500 from one puppy that is bred from an established bloodline (Campbell, 2003). Moreover, professionals are usually harder to detect because the operation will travel, be in different areas, and hold such underground status that detection is merely impossible. In this setting, the fights are structured according to the weight of the dogs, planned out and scheduled; the fights will always feature a referee. Unfortunate to mention, professionals make their living off of dog fighting and breeding more dogs into this horrific and abusive world (Animals, 2011). Studying the types and levels of dog fighting, more discussion of how the dogs and other animals are treated is necessary; the abuse that these animals suffer is sickening and horrific.
All dogs are physically and emotionally abused, neglected and unloved on all levels of dog fighting. A lot of the times, the dogs are abused for no reason; however, when this happens, it usually because of children abusing the dogs on the street level of fighting. The abuse that is inflicted by hobbyists and professionals is more likely due to the dog showing no signs of aggression towards other dogs during puppyhood, not continuing the fight or losing the fight. Consequently, the dogs will be “disposed” of in an unconventional and inhumane way. Different “techniques” people use to “get rid” of the dogs are, shooting, burning, stabbing, beating, starving, or neglecting the injuries that occurred during a fight (infections, blood loss…etc). The abuse also occurs in how the humans prepare the dogs to fight; most of time the dogs are given vitamins and illegal drugs (ASPCA, 2011). In order for a dog to not feel pain, the owners will inject heroin; to strengthen the dog and make them faster, the owners will distribute steroids. Even more disturbing, the owners will give dog’s doses of PCP to ensure the dog shows no fear before and during the fight; other types of drugs and vitamin supplements are given to the dogs as well. (ASPCA, 2011). The owners will also intentionally dehydrate the dogs because they ignorantly think that it helps with less blood loss when injuries occur (Campbell, 2003). That being said, the detection and investigation must be improved in order to stop, or at the very least, significantly lessen the occurrence of dog fighting.
In order to lessen the statistics and occurrence of dog fighting, it must start in the community. The dog fighting world is an underground operation, making it extremely difficult for police and animal services to detect. The documentary, Out of the Pit: Dog Fighting in Chicago, directed by Butch Campbell shows the Chicago Police attempting to take a stab at the detection of dog fighting. The Chicago Police has put together a task force of only two officers to investigate dog fighting in Chicago (Campbell, 2003). Although it is an excellent idea to have a specific task force for dog fighting, two people is not enough; especially in such a city as Chicago. If police organizations funded more programs to put together task forces to investigate dogfights within communities, it may help. A task force featuring multiple officers can give police a chance to patrol the communities, and talk to the members in order to investigate possible dog fighting arenas. When the police are out in the community, specifically asking and communicating with people, more results occur in terms of investigation and detection.
Overall, dog fighting happens everywhere and anyone can be involved. Dogs and other animals suffer each and every day due to dog fighting. It is up to the community members and citizens to raise awareness in their neighborhoods. When dog fighting occurs in neighborhoods, it jades morale, and community values. Furthermore, it not only effects the animals, it has impacted children, and teens; and making it okay for kids to be involved in such terrifying acts is a detriment to the future generations. And so, ending this portion of my Animal Rights blog; if you or anyone you know who may have knowledge or even a hunch that dog fighting is occurring in yours or their community, please get in touch with your local Humane Society. Sacramento, California’s Humane Society is located on Florin Road, the phone number is: (916)383-7387.
References
Animals, A. S. (2011, November 15). Dog Fighting FAQ. Retrieved November 15, 2011, from ASPCA: Animal Legal and Historical Center: www.aspca.org/fight-animal-cruelty/dog-fighting/dog-fighting-faq.aspx
ASPCA. (2011, November 15). Dog Fighting Detailed Discussion. Retrieved November 15, 2011, from Animal Legal and Historical Center: www.animallaw.info/articles/ddusdogfighting.htm
Campbell, B. (Director). (2003). Out of the Pit: Dog Fighting in Chicago [Motion Picture].
Services, O. C. (2011, November 22). Animal Cruelty and Dogfighting National Statistics. Retrieved November 22, 2011, from Orange County Animal Services: Pet Rescue and Adoption Center: http://www.orangecountyfl.net/Portals/0/Resources/Internet/DEPARTMENTS/CEsrvcs/animal/docs/AnimalCrueltyNationalStatistics.pdf
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