| Sick. Wrong. Inhumane. Disgusting. Evil. | | | | will become mean. They are beaten so they |
| These are just some of the words that have | | | | will become tough. They must carry heavy |
| been used to describe the practice of dog | | | | chains around their necks to increase muscle |
| fighting. But for so many Americans, dog | | | | mass. They are forced to endure hours and |
| fighting is considered | | | | hours of strenuous activity, such as walking |
| "entertainment", "harmless | | | | on a treadmill, in hopes this will make them |
| fun", and a "chance to make extra | | | | better in the ring. |
| money". | | | | |
| | | | Dog fighters also use bait animals when |
| While most Americans had been blind to the | | | | training dogs for fights. Frequently, these |
| fact that dog fighting exists in the US until | | | | animals are caught as strays, adopted from |
| Michael Vick's conviction in 2007, dog | | | | local animal shelters, adopted from |
| fighting has a long history in America. | | | | "free to a good home" |
| Beginning in the 1600's and lasting well into | | | | advertisements, and some are even stolen |
| the 1800's, dog fighting was a completely | | | | pets. These bait animals get their back legs |
| legal activity in the US. During the 1860's | | | | broken to reduce their speed, and then are |
| dog fighting became illegal in the United | | | | used as practice for the fighting dogs to |
| States, but this did not stop the | | | | maul and kill. |
| "sport" but rather caused it to go | | | | |
| underground where illegal dog fighting rings | | | | Not only is dog fighting is dangerous and |
| were formed. These underground, illegal rings | | | | deadly for the dogs involved, it also poses a |
| still exist today. | | | | serious threat to the community. Dog fighting |
| | | | rings frequently bring a ring of gang |
| Dog fights typically last about two hours. | | | | members, drug users, and illegal gamblers |
| They end when one dog can no longer, or will | | | | into a community. Frequently children are |
| no longer, continue. It is not uncommon for | | | | present at these events, which adds to |
| the fight to be fatal for both dogs, with | | | | another generation of dog fighters and |
| death coming minutes, hours, or days later, | | | | reduces sympathy and compassion for animals. |
| depending on the nature of the injuries | | | | |
| inflicted during the fight. Due to the fact | | | | Dogs who are trained to be fighters also pose |
| that dog fighting is illegal, dogs that are | | | | a huge risk to the community. In the event a |
| used in dog fights are not treated by | | | | dog fighter feels that a police crackdown |
| professional veterinarians for their | | | | will occur, sometimes the dogs used in |
| injuries. | | | | fighting are abandoned in parks and other |
| | | | public areas. These dogs pose a huge threat |
| Dogs who have proven to be weak, or are | | | | to other animals and small children as they |
| deemed the loser during fights, are put to | | | | often view them as 'bait' and attack them. |
| death by hanging, drowning, electrocution, | | | | |
| strangling, shooting, or some other terrible | | | | Anyone who has ever owned a dog is aware of |
| method. | | | | the loving nature of the species. For most |
| | | | people, the idea of dog fighting is |
| It is not only during the fight that these | | | | unfathomable. Many charities are set up for |
| dogs suffer. Their entire existence consists | | | | the rehabilitation of dogs and a crackdown on |
| of suffering. Dogs that will be used in dog | | | | illegal gambling rings. These sites accept |
| fights are trained by their owners in a | | | | donations and can be found on the web. |
| variety of methods. They are starved so they | | | | |