Pit Bull Issues: Dog Fighting

"We know that the word on the street is that in order to get your dog tough, you beat it, starve it, lock it in the closet, deprive it - you technically drive the animal insane."
~Donna Reynolds, an Oakland resident and member of Bad Rap

Let us start off by saying: these dogs, each and every one of them, are victims. They do not choose this life; it is forced on them for monetary gain and for entertainment, by the humans who own them. How two or more dogs ripping each other to shreds can be considered entertainment is beyond imagining for most of us. But most of us are normal, average people who consider a dog to be a companion and friend. Not so those who engage in the "sport" of dog fighting.

There is no true winner in dog fighting. The American Pit Bull Terrier is the most popular breed of dog used because of their strong jaws, incredible endurance and ability to withstand pain. The dogs used for fighting are specifically bred, conditioned and trained to be dog-on-dog aggressive. They're placed in an arena-like pit where they must fight each other while encircled by a cheering mob of spectators. This brutality continues until one dog is too injured or too exhausted to continue. Spectators force dogs to continue fighting by prodding and hitting them with sharp objects. Dog fights can last an average of one hour in length, often more than two hours, and can involve more than just two dogs going at each other - three or more dogs can be unleashed on one other dog in "rounds." Gambling, drugs and weapons are often present at dog fighting events. People involved in this "sport" often bring their children to these events.

Dogs used in these events often die of blood loss, dehydration, shock and infection hours or even days after a fight. Owners will use "bait" animals such as cats, small dogs (including Pit Bulls that aren't "game") and other small animals to train their dogs for fighting. These bait animals are "strays," stolen pets or animals obtained through "Free to Good Home" advertisement.

Dogs used for fighting have been bred to be dangerously aggressive toward other animals and, due to bad breeding, may also be human aggressive. Trainers prepare a dog to fight by imposing a cruel regimen on the dog from the beginning of his life. Dog fighters starve the animals in order to make them mean, beat them to make them tough, place heavy chains around their necks to increase muscle mass, and force them to run on treadmills or to endure other exhausting exercise for long periods of time. Steroids may be part of the pit bull diet, as well as gun powder which creates severe abdominal cramping to make them more aggressive.

Having dogs trained to fight within the community increases the risk of attacks not only to other animals but also to people. Children are especially at risk due to their small size as the dog may perceiv a child as another animal. Children are also endangered by other illegal activities which surround dog fighting.

Dog fighting is illegal in all 50 states and the District of Columbia and is a felony in most, including Nevada; in Nevada it is also a felony to attend a dog fight. It is legal in Nevada, however, to own a fighting dog. The Humane Society of the United States has a database of 40,000 suspected dog fighters across the country, and estimates some 250,000 dogs are used in organized dog fighting.

Public Safety Threat and Criminal Activity

• Dog fighters and spectators have a history of violent and criminal behavior toward people.
• Dog fighting is sometimes used by gangs as entertainment.
• Major drug networks have been tied to animal fighting. Raids at animal fighting operations have revealed underground drug manufacturing labs and larg-scale drug operations.
• Dog fight spectators are typically involved in illegal gambling, betting that a certain dog will win. Weapons are common at dog fights due to the large amount of money present.

Dog Fight Locations

• Secluded park
• Commercial or residential basement
• Isolated warehouse
• Vacant garage
• Empty or abandoned houses

Most dogs fight to the death so the owners find new dogs in the local newspaper classified ads. You'll see these ads citing bloodlines popular among fighters (such as "Gotti") and using words like "game bred." Well-treated and humanely raised pit bulls are affectionate and loyal dogs. To the surprise of many people, they are also good with children.

It's a well documented fact that cruelty to animals is a precursor to violence against humans. Please help end the suffering these animals endure. It you suspect dog fighting activity anywhere in Clark County, please call Clark County Animal Control: (702) 455-7710.