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Dog fighting is a sadistic "sport" in which two dogs
are placeing into a ring or pit and forced to fight
until one of them is either severely injured or killed.
Dogs are trained to fight by taunting, beating, and
starving them. They are often encouraged to kill small
animals such as cats and rabbits to increase their aggressive
behaviors.Fighting dogs are torn apart alive. It can
take up to two hours for the fight to end. Losing dogs
that survive are often left to die, suffocated, set
on fire, or shot by frustrated owners. Other animals
(small dogs, cats, rabbits) are used as bait. Cheering
spectators place bets on the dogs with thousands of
dollars wagered on a single fight.
Even though dog fighting is
illegal and sympotamic of other illegal activities, there are
too few officers to enforce the law. Conducted in abondoned
hoes, warehouses, or basements, cruelty investigators report
that dog fighting attracts people who are involved in
gambling, drug dealing, illegal weapons, gangs and
prostitution. It's no surprise that people involved in dog
fighting typically have a history of violence and/or criminal
behavior.
In addition to being an animal welfare issue,
dog fighting is also a child welfare issue. Adults who are
involved in dog fighting often bring their children to watch.
Researchers have discovered that children who have been
exposed to dog fighting grow up believing that this is an
acceptable form of entertainment. These children are
desensitized to violence and typically grow up to commit acts
of violence.
While studies have shown that no
particular breed is any more aggressive than another, Pit Bull
Terriers and other large, strong dogs (German Shepherds,
Rotweillers, Akitas, and Doberman Pinschers) are typically
selected.
Pit Bulls do not have "locking" jaws. The
locking jaws story is a myth that developed due to the dog's
tendency to bite and hold.
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Contrary to the media's portrayal
of them, American Pit Bull Terriers are NOT an inherently
aggressive breed. The very qualilties that make them excellent
pets — extreme loyalty, intelligence, love of humans, and
eagerness to please their owners — make them targets for dog
fighting. They will do whatever their owners want them to do —
even fight to the death.
According to the American Canine Testing
Association, 95% of the American Pit Bull Terriers that took
the test passed. The average passing rate for all other 122
breeds was only 77%.
In
the temperment tests, a dog is put through a series of
confrontational situations. Any sign of aggression or panic
leads to the failure of a test. The achievement of these
temperment tests in this study disproves the belief that Pit
Bull Terriers are inherently
aggressive.
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