Round One

Animal Fighting

History

Dog Fighting

--Pit Fighting

--Street Fighting

Cockfighting

Baiting

--Bear Baiting

--Hog Baiting

Take Action

History                                                                                      Back to Top

Animal fighting has a long, cruel history of providing so-called entertainment when, in fact, an uncaring few profit from the suffering and death of sentient beings. From the ancient days of Greek coliseums to modern-day arenas and backyard “pits,” animal fighting has been unfortunately engrained in human culture.

However, as long as there has been animal fighting, there have also been humane-minded people who resist these callous sports. As years pass and beliefs evolve, humans become more civilized, responsible, and humane; we resist with even greater tenacity than ever before the belief that animal fighting is morally or culturally acceptable.

Though most of us no longer see the value of setting lions upon humans or dogs against bears, and while many forms of animal fighting are now defunct and some even outlawed, these various cruel blood sports still exist in modern times.

Dog Fighting                                                                             Back to Top

Whether done for professional or street purposes, dog fighting is a cruel form of entertainment and power-mongering. Dogs forced to participate in fighting are treated with absolute coldness. They often live in isolation and squalor and are beaten regularly to make them vicious. Dogs who do not fight well or become poor fighters are disposed of with equal cruelty. These sentient beings—deserving of our respect and kindness—are drowned, shot, beaten, electrocuted, and even tied to railroad tracks to be hit by trains.

Dogs trained to fight are not the only animals who suffer: many cats, small dogs, pigs, and other animals are used for “practice” in dog fighting. Animals are sometimes purchased for this purpose, but many are stray and lost animals, or are stolen from local neighborhoods and homes.

Dog fighting is illegal in all 50 states and the District of Columbia; yet, two main illicit forms of this cruel entertainment continue throughout our nation today: professional operations conducted in pits and informal street fighting.

Pit Fighting                                                                                Back to Top

Pit fighting is typically a professionally-operated, underground dog-fighting ring. The pit is very much like a small arena or coliseum, where gruesome battles take place as bystanders cheer. Operators invest significant time and money into acquiring and training dogs to become top fighters. Very specific breeding and training practices are employed to produce highly valuable blood lines. For instance, treadmills are used in training to force dogs to run for hours upon hours to build muscle and endurance. Dogs are also forced to tread water for hours for the same purpose.

Gambling at pit fighting can be a major source of profit for an invested few, while many other people simply bet for “fun.” Some estimates suggest some $500 million moves through the illicit industry each year. Professional operations take extreme measures to promote their activities while remaining under the radar of specialized state and federal law enforcement agencies tasked with infiltrating and busting these operations. Many dog-fighting rings are disguised as breeding kennels, as was the case with Michael Vick and his Bad Newz Kennels.

Violence does not stop with the animals. Drugs, theft, assault, and murder occur hand-in-hand with pit fighting operations. The events are fraught with cultural and traditional ties, which are often passed from generation to generation. It is extremely unfortunate for the children who attend these events that their families intentionally encourage them to be exposed to and even participate in violent and immoral activities. As the children age, they often continue this terrible cycle of cruelty.

Street Fighting                                                                            Back to Top

Street fighting is an informal form of dog fighting. It tends to be loosely organized and carried out for profit and entertainment, but experts have documented street dog fights are mostly about demonstrating symbolic power among gang members of inner-city areas.

Dogs may be bred and trained in similar methods to that of pit fighting; however, many times street dogs are not of “high” blood lines and are more likely to be abused by their handlers. These dogs not only participate in vicious fights, but also are used to intimidate local citizens, move drugs, and provide protection from attacks by other gang members.

Pit bulls are the top choice of dogs for street fighting; and here again, culture comes into play: urban youth are inundated with hip and glamorous images of tough pit bulls—from clothing to music to sports drinks. Young teens may view keeping and fighting pit bulls as a legitimate form of acceptance and protection on violent streets. Very quickly, pit bull street fighting can become a part of their urban culture.

Cockfighting                                                                             Back to Top

Cockfighting is a blood sport that cruelly manipulates the natural tendencies of male poultry, known as roosters, to defend their territories and mates. The bird handlers often tie sharp objects or stabbing implements to the cocks’ feet; so as the birds violently attack each other in attempt to intimidate or injure, they may cause lethal injury.

Cockfighting occurs informally; but most often, it is a professional operation similar to that of dog pit fighting, in which significant time and money are invested in the birds and the operation. Dozens of magazines and books, many published decades ago, are held in great esteem by cock fighters for their directives of successful cockfight breeding and pit operations.

In August 2008, Louisiana became the final state to ban cockfighting. Louisiana has a long history of cockfighting ventures; and passing the ban was a tough, but successful, struggle. Nonetheless, it will be many years before cockfighting is significantly reduced. Cock fighters are determined to simply continue their way of life underground. As an interview with one such enthusiast in an August 2008 Washington Post article demonstrates, the culture of fighting is strong. “It’s my heritage, I guess there are other people that want to be president of the United States or senators or whatever. Me, I want to be a cockfighter….I would rather do it out in the wide open where everyone knows it and sees it because I am not ashamed of cockfighting."

Baiting                                                                                     Back to Top

Animal baiting is a blood sport in which various species of animals are used to “bait” a dog into fighting. The animals, such as badgers, bulls, donkeys, hogs, and bears, are harassed, angered, and then set upon by trained and/or vicious dogs. Bait animals are chained or fenced in to prevent escape. They also are mutilated, having had their teeth and claws removed, and restrained so as to render them weaker and less dangerous to the dogs. The dogs are sometimes allowed to attack and tear at the victim animals until the death.

While animal baiting was historically popular, it is now illegal throughout most of the world. But just as with modern dog and cockfighting, animal baiting continues in some countries today, including the United States. Two prominent animal baiting sports are bear and hog baiting.

Bear Baiting                                                                              Back to Top

This disturbing and sad form of animal fighting, though illegal, is popular in Pakistan. Bears are obtained through a variety of illicit means, including poaching wild adults to steal cubs for later fighting. The animal’s teeth are often removed and their claws filed down so the bear will do little damage to the one to three dogs, typically pit bull crossbreeds, set on the defenseless bear during the fight. Bears cry out in pain, frustration, anger, and fear as betting patrons and animal-handlers watch.

To preserve their investment, animal fighters usually break up dog-bear fights before a bear or dog can be lethally harmed. Handlers often subject the sensitive and intelligent bears to several fights each day and constant neglect and suffering.

Through cooperative efforts of the Pakistani government and animal rescues, bear baiting in the country has been significantly reduced in the last few years. The number of bears involved has dropped from 400 to 50 animals.

Hog Baiting                                                                                 Back to Top

Often referred to as hog-doggin’ or hog-dog rodeos, this so-called sport is unfortunately popular and prevalent in our nation. Overshadowed by dog and cockfighting, and with its misleading “rodeo” title, hog baiting has been a quietly growing blood sport for several decades although recently several states have banned it.

Just as with bear baiting, the pigs, typically feral animals, are mutilated to render them less dangerous to attacking dogs. Their protective tusks are often painfully removed and the animal is forced to fight with excruciating injuries. Many farm animal and pig sanctuaries in the United States have taken in rescued pigs who have endured severe wounds to their face and ears during hog-dog fights. The intelligent and benign animal’s floppy ears are often ripped or bitten off during attacks. The pigs appear, ironically, similar to fighting pit bulls whose ears are cropped.

Take Action to Help End Animal Fighting                                           

What can you do to change what is happening to animals used for fighting? First, do not support animal cruelty; do not attend, bet on, or view these events. Other humane actions include:

• Educate your friends, family, and coworkers as to the cruel nature inherent in animal fighting, whatever its form or legality.
• Support law enforcement efforts to crackdown on animal fighting: report any suspicions to local authorities.
• Do not support or attend animal fighting events overseas; encourage foreign leaders to take a stand against this cruel entertainment.
• Lobby to ensure anti-fighting federal and state regulations work effectively to protect the animals; make sure those regulations are enforced.

September 2009                                                                              Back to Top