What You Might not Know About Dog Fighting

Dog fighting is not new. It has been around for hundreds of years. In ancient times, dogs were needed to fight off animal predators to protect their people, property and flocks. They had to be capable of fighting wild boars, bears and mountain lions any other threatening predator. There are a historical group of dog breeds that were all related to a mastiff type of dog. From these ancient breeds, we have what is now known as the pit bull, or American Pit Bull Terrier. Dog fighting was also used as a form of entertainment in ancient times with dogs being used to "bait" bulls in a ring.

It is estimated that there are 40,000 people involved in professional dog fighting and as many as 100,00 involved in street level dog fighting. Dog fighting is illegal in all 50 states and is a felony in all but Wyoming and Idaho. It is difficult for police to pin down and prosecute dog fighting rings for several reasons. One problem is the locations, which are often rural and well hidden. They commonly use a lookout. Another problem is the code of silence in the business.

Professional dog fighters have their own rules, known as "Cajun Rules", and their own terminology. Some common terms include "Campaign", a fighting dogs career, "Champion", a dog with 3 wins, a "Grand Champion" is undefeated with 5 wins, "Dogmen", professional handlers and trainers, and "Gameness", which is a dogs willingness to fight through pain and exhaustion. Dogs that survive but lose are often beaten to death, burned or buried alive.

Dog fighting is a big business with revenue coming from gambling and stud fees. People involved will pay a large fee to breed their bitch with a proven champion with the hope of producing their own money making machine. These people tell themselves that their dogs were born to fight. This is absolutely not true. In order to make these dogs become vicious killing machines, they start their lives tied outside with a huge chain. They are ignored until it is time for training. They are abused, neglected and starved. They are given small animals to attack and kill for practice. Many of these dogs are injected with steroids.

The truth is, pit bulls or American Pit Bull Terriers do not love to fight. In the early part of the 20th century, this breed was the most popular pet dog in America. This breed, like all dogs, craves attention and affection and require commitment to proper socialization and training. Dogs are pack animals so in normal circumstances, they live, sleep, eat and play together. They do not normally want to attack and kill each other. You only have to look at pictures of pit bulls after a fight and you can see the pain they suffer.

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