Dog Fighting: Instinct or Training?

By: Stephanie Lacy

Dog fighting is believed to have begun in ancient Rome, though initially, rather than pitting the dogs against each other they were used to bait animals such as bulls and bears (Gibson, 2005). In 1835, however, the use of dogs for bait was banned, following this, dog fighting as it is today began. Dog fighting has been known to occur in North America, South America and Europe. (ASPCA, 1997). Initially, dog fighting was accepted and endorsed by such organizations as the United Kennel Club. However, as the “sport” progressed it became more and more unacceptable in society, and shortly thereafter the United Kennel Club withdrew their support. Dog fighting was outlawed in all states by 1976, though until recently there was very little law enforcement.

Some breeds of dog have been bred expressly for fighting purposes. Initially, bulldogs were used in the baiting events, after these events were outlawed and dog fighting was introduced the bulldog was crossed with a terrier to create fighting breeds. Dog breeds created and bred for fighting include: the American pit bull, the American Staffordshire terrier, Staffordshire bull terrier, and bull terriers (Gibson, 2005).

Fighting dogs, while bred to fight, are also put through rigorous training before being placed in the fighting ring. Dogs begin their training as puppies; this training is used to promote “gameness” or the willingness of the dog to fight and to continue to fight after being injured. While no dog fighter uses an exact protocol, there are many aspects of the dogs training that are used by many. One such exercise is the use of a treadmill to increase the dogs’ endurance and fitness. The dogs are run on treadmills for undetermined amounts of time. Another exercise uses a device similar to a horse exerciser; the dog is chained to one of the beams while a small animal is chained to or hung from another of the beams. The dog chases the bait for exercise, and when the training session is over the dog is normally rewarded with the bait. Spring apparatus’s are also used to stimulate the dogs, this method involves using some form of bait, usually an animal hide of some sort and placing it to where the dog has to jump to reach it and then hangs from it. Spring apparatus’s are used to strengthen the jaw muscles and the rear leg muscles. Flirtploles are another device used in training; these poles are used by attaching some form of bait to the end of the string and dragging it along the ground to tease the dog. Chains and weights are placed around the neck and used to promote neck and upper body strength. Bait itself is used by tethering the bait and allowing the dogs to maul it or by releasing both the dogs and the bait into a small pen and allowing the dogs to maul the bait. Drugs, vitamins, and supplements are also used for conditioning or provoking the dogs to fight (Gibson, 2005).

Dog fighting takes place everywhere, be it rural areas or a big city. During the actual fight the dogs are placed into a small “pit,” they are held by their handlers behind the scratch line until the referee gives the order for them to be released. The dogs are then turned loose and allowed to maul one another. In the event that one of the dogs turns away from the other they are fleetingly divided and the dog that turned away is released again at the referees command. On the condition that the dog returns to the ring and goes after his rival the rival is released and the fight resumes. The fight is ended when a dog either refuses to go back into the ring or the death of one of the competitors occurs. A lot is at stake in these dog fights, the loser usually loses a good amount of money and also tends to lose the respect of his peers. To regain this respect the losing handler will, under the best of circumstances, shoot his dog if it wasn’t killed in the ring. However, losing handlers have also been known to torture their dog to death. (Gibson, 2005).

To some it may seem that dog fighting is not really abuse or torture, but rather the handler allowing the dog to do what it chooses. However, while it is true that all dogs fight and all dogs have a hierarchy it is not normal for them to fight to kill. In an ordinary dog fight the dogs will fight but it only lasts a few seconds and the dominant dog accepts the lower dogs’ submissiveness. Dog fighting has been designed by people to engage in as a spectator sport, and a fight that lasts less than a minute is not what the crowd wants to see. Therefore, these dogs are mistreated in various ways to improve their fighting ability so that the fights last longer and are more crowd pleasing (ASPCA, 1997).

                                                                                        

Works Cited

ASPCA. 1997. History of Dog Fighting. http://www.aspca.org/fight-animal-cruelty/dog-fighting/history-of-dog-fighting.htm. October 2010.

Gibson, Hanna. Animal Legal and Historical Center. 2005. Dog Fighting Detailed Discussion. http://www.animallaw.info/articles/ddusdogfighting.htm#s2. October 2010.