Is dog fighting simply another hobby or is it considered animal cruelty? According to US Legal, “dog fighting is an illegal practice in which two dogs, usually of a Pit Bull breed, are put into an enclosed area for the purpose of attacking and quite frequently, killing each other” (2011). The act of fighting dogs is illegal, yet people continue to break the law for profit and for entertainment. People gather together at a covert location, place their bets, and watch as two dogs attack each other, hoping that the one dog they bet on wins. What is more surprising is that often the dogs who lose the fight, yet do not die may be tortured, starved to death, or killed outright by their owners (2007). Why would anyone want to bring their pet to a place where they will get injured or possibly be killed?
Dog fighting itself is crime, but it also promotes other, more serious crime, such as cruelty to animals, violence to others, theft, drug use/possession/distribution, illegal weapons use/possession, and gambling (Dog fighting). This unlawful act is usually supported by or led by criminal groups. On the Anti-Cruelty Society website, they have found that recently convicted dog fighters in Chicago have criminal records that include such significant crimes as assault/battery, arson, weapons charges, burglary, drug charges, and attempted murder (Dog Fighting). These people can be found all over the United States and possibly in your own neighborhood. They keep their dogs in the best shape possible because they want their dog to become a champion fighter.
When it comes to dog fighting, the only people who support this “sport” are those who gain a profit from these dogs and those who enjoy watching animals viciously ripping each other apart. The majority of society views dog fighting in a negative light, partially due to the brutality, especially since it is against the law. The criminals who engage in dog fighting know that what they are doing is against the law, but they go ahead with what they are doing with their animals by letting them fight each other. Overall, with the law in hand, the police can begin to crack down on these dog fighting groups and clean the streets of this illegal activity.
References:
Dog fighting. The Anti-cruelty Society. Retrieved from:
Dog fighting law and legal definition. (2011). USLegal. Retrieved from:
It's a dog's life. (2007). America, 197(7), 4. Retrieved from EBSCOhost.
New York Times. (1996, Feb 18) Dog-fight crackdown reveals animal cruelty. New York Times, 1. 28. Retrieved from LexisNexis.
YouTube Video: Underground dogfighting. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lQwmnMgLGts
Unfortunately these people who engage in this activity are doing so almost purely for money. They don't see these dogs as their pets, they see them as tools of the trade. I agree with you that these types of crimes beget other crimes. This is because this is a gathering type of activity. When criminals all gather together, they will likely be armed, and do other crimes as well. I think the reason this "sport" turns most people off, is because many households have dogs, and most people love dogs as family members and not as simply a tool.
ReplyDeleteI agree. I was surprised about how much money can be involved in dog fighting from watching the YouTube video. I have two dogs and would never want them to engage in such a horrible activity.
ReplyDeleteDo you happen to know if Dog Fighting is considered Animal Cruelty or Illegal Gambling, or both? How is it usually prosecuted?
ReplyDeleteDog fighting is illegal in all states. Punishment will depend on the jurisdiction that the fighting occurred in. Dog fighting is an act of animal cruelty and because there is usually money involved, a person could also be charged with illegal gambling, but it would be hard to prove unless someone saw the act of money being distributed or what not. Most of the time, dog fighting cases are found after the fact, mostly allegations.
ReplyDeleteIt is amazing what people will do to make money. The video talked about how the dogfighters knew that what they were doing was wrong and illegal but they still do it because there is a lot of money in it. I never new how much training the dogs went through. Even when the dogs weren’t fighting there owners treated them cruelly by how hard they made them train. This is the worst form of animal cruelty.
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