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Dogfighting - They Call it a Sport

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Dogfighting - The Facts and Realities

Dogfighting is illegal in all 50 states and the District of Columbia, and the federal Animal Welfare Act prohibits the interstate transportation of dogs for fighting purposes. Forty-eight (48) states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands have made dogfighting a felony offense. Forty-seven (47) states, the District of Columbia, and the Virgin Islands prohibit the possession of dogs for fighting. And 48 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands prohibit being a spectator at a dogfight.

What is Dogfighting?



Dogfighting is a sadistic "contest" in which two dogs - specifically bred, conditioned, and trained to fight - are placed in a pit (generally a small enclosed area) to fight each other, for the purpose of entertainment and gambling by the "spectators". Fights can average nearly an hour in length and often last more than two hours. Dogfights end when one of the dogs is no longer willing or able to continue. Dog fighting is prevalent EVERYWHERE... from the most urban of neighborhoods to the deep backwoods.

Dog Fighting - Animal Cruelty



The injuries inflicted and sustained by dogs participating in dogfights are frequently severe, including deep puncture wounds and broken bones, and some are even fatal. Dogs used in these "events" often die of blood loss, shock, dehydration, exhaustion, or infection hours or even days after the fight.

Other animals - besides the actual fight dogs - are often sacrificed as well. Some owners train their dogs for fights using smaller animals such as cats, rabbits, or small dogs. These "bait" animals are often stolen pets or animals obtained through "free to good home" advertisements.

Far Reaching Effects



Dog fighting has become a serious issue in society today.

Aside from the simple fact that dog fighting is a crime and is terribly cruel to animals, the effects on society are devastating as participants are often involved in other crimes:

  • Dog fighters are often involved in illegal gambling, the sale and possession of drugs, as well as illegal weapons.

  • Dog fighters and spectators have a history of violent and criminal behavior toward people.

  • Dogfighting is another entertainment activity for gangs.

  • Dogs trained for fighting have been known to viciously attack innocent people for no apparent reason.

  • It is not uncommon for dog fighters or spectators to involve their children in dog fighting.



Research shows young children who view this type of violence have a greater acceptance of aggressive attitudes and behavior. These children are taught to believe that it's okay to inflict the cruelties they observe and that dog fighting is an acceptable practice.

Rising in disturbing popularity is an animal sport that is drawing many spectators in rural parts of the Southeast: hog-dog fighting. Considered family entertainment, residents gather from miles around at rodeo-style arenas in rural Alabama to watch as a pit-bull is released into a pen with a wild boar, often without its tusks. The "catch-dog" competes in the blood sport by biting the ears of the hog and pulling him to the ground. Many spectators bet on which dog can subdue the hog first.

Signs of Dog Fighting Include



Signs of dogfighting may include some or all of the following but are not limited to these activities. Please also note that evidence of these activities do not constitute evidence of dogfighting.

Does the fact that your neighbor owns multiple pit bulls mean they are fighting them? Of course not. The same can be said for the tethering of dogs, hanging a tire from a tree, owning a "spring pole," etc. Bottom line is, dogfighting is a crime for which physical evidence is needed. If you are going to report dog fighting, please make sure you are reacting to a real crime and not to your fears of a breed that is surrounded in myth and misunderstanding.

  • Ownership of several adult dogs and/or puppies that are confined by thick chains with or without weights on their collars.

  • Tires or other items suspended from trees to provide jaw strengthening activities.

  • Hand walking, jogging or using a treadmill.

  • A "cat mill" which confines a cat, rabbit or other small animal and encourages the dog to chase it may be present. As a reward for its hard, work, the dog will be permitted to capture and kill the confined animal.


  • People of all ages, some with dogs, coming and going in a residence or other site and a general "party" atmosphere.

  • Dogs that have short, cropped ears; recent or long-standing wounds; and/or scars on their head, throat, ears, and legs.



What Can You Do?

Remember that violence, weapons, and illegal activities go hand-in-hand with dog fighting.

  • Report any suspected dog fighting activities, to the appropriate local agency.

  • Support legislation that encourages severe punishment of anyone involved in dog fighting.

  • It is up to you and your neighbors to spread the word that dog fighting is not acceptable in your neighborhood.



Dogfighting is a horrific act of animal cruelty that people use as a sadistic form of "entertainment" but it is nothing more than brutal bloodbath. We have all heard about the case against Michael Vick for dogfighting. It brought awareness to the public about the existence of dogfighting and animal cruelty, but it also brought about people's cold indifference and lack of remorse for the victims of dogfighting - When supporters of Vick such as Jaime Foxx and Whoopi Goldberg defended and condoned his cruelty crimes under the heartless defenses such as dogfighting is a "cultural" issue, or because since Vick grew up in the south, dogfightings were considered an "every day event" and that dogs were considered "things," not living creatures.

So who do you believe are the real monsters?

Ignorance of the law is no defense and no excuse for torturing and killing an innocent animal. In Michael Vick's trial, video footage of the dogfights were discovered and showed that the dogs were forced to fight and if any refused, they were either drowned, electrocuted, hung or beaten to death.


There was one particular part of the videos that showed two men that conspired with Vick to organize the dogfights, both men were forcing two dogs near each other, expecting them to fight but instead, one of the dogs licked the other, as if trying to comfort the other's fear of horror that was happening. These dogs have more humanity and love than the cold-hearted monsters that force these already frightened dogs to fight to the death. Dogfighting is cruelty and a crime regardless of race, ethnicity, financial background or culture. These dogs are living creatures and deserve the rights and laws that will protect them from this painful fate.

Who will be their voice?

These victims cannot talk, they cannot plead for mercy, they can only fight and bleed and die! We must be their voices! We must fight for them so they don't have to fight.

You've heard the saying, "Silence signals consent." Don't let them suffer by your silence. Be their voice! Yell!! Scream!! Tell them we will not accept their suffering and will not allow those who force them to suffer to get away with it anymore!

For the Love of the Dog - Latest News

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PSA Against Dogfighting

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Crucify Me

Dogfighting from a Dog's Point of view

Fight me, deny me, and crucify me,
My sins are yours, they're not mine.
You make me what I am, evil at your command.
You send me to meet my challenger, whatever it may be.
I risk my life to line your pockets for nothing but pain and agony.

Three feet of chain with nowhere to go, there's not much here to see.
No time to play, its work, work, work, that's how life is for me.
Run the treadmill. Pull the blocks and hang there from the tree.
If my ribs feel a little thick, then not much food for me.

I'm in tip top shape, a muscle bound freak, with all the attitude I need.
I've got gameness several generations back. You should see my pedigree!
Pump me up! Hype me up! Throw me some bait! How about that young pup?
Watch me rip his eyeballs out; I need the taste of blood.

I've been hit. I've been beat. I've been left to die in the ring.
I've been sewed up! I've been ripped open and I've had several bones broken!
I've scratched when I couldn't stand and I've stood up when I couldn't scratch!
I've killed a few dogs and I've nearly died when I've met my match!

Fight me, deny me, and crucify me,
My sins are yours, they're not mine.
You make me what I am, evil at your command.
You send me to meet my challenger, whatever it may be.
I risk my life to line your pockets for nothing but pain and agony.

You find amusement at my torn, hanging skin
and just when my body heals, you make me do it again.
Why couldn't I have been a happy dog with a master who shared some love?
Not some twisted psychopath, who owes his life to drugs.

I do this evil to earn my keep. Somehow, I must be fed.
The men in suits, they point at me and say they want me dead.
Even the lucky ones in happy homes who have never felt my pain,
must face the executioners because they bear my name.

Fight me, deny me, and crucify me,
My sins are yours, they're not mine.
You make me what I am, evil at your command.
You send me to meet my challenger, whatever it may be.
I risk my life to line your pockets for nothing but pain and agony.

I've grown too old now to fight in your ring
You've left me no chance, to ever be free
I lay in the darkness, no one at my side
my last fight I lost, my eyes no longer can see
this is what you have done, do you not feel shame?
I can no longer walk, run or play
you have a new puppy now, the one to take my place
the cold and darkness closing now, you have nothing to say?

I lay here in pain and my own blood
I still believe that you love me and I try to stay awake
But you kick me and wish me dead then tell them to tie the bag
The darkness is here now; I hope they catch you, for the new puppy's sake

Fight me, deny me, and crucify me,
My sins are yours, they're not mine.
You make me what I am, evil at your command.
You send me to meet my challenger, whatever it may be.
I risk my life to line your pockets for nothing but pain and agony.

Alan W Joslin

Anit-Dogfighting Video

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Incredible Story of a Dog Rescued from Hell

A Story of One of the 'Lucky' Victims of Dogfighting

Meet Oogy. His story will rip your heart out but it is one you will never forget, just like everyone who has ever met him, this incredible survivor from hell.

If you care, take the time to read, it will be worth those few minutes. After you finish I think you will understand what you need to do. Be a voice for the voiceless, don't close your eyes, their pain won't stop.

The Story of Oogy
When Oogy was four months old and weighed thirty five pounds he was tied to a stake and used as bait for a Pit Bull. The left side of his face from just behind his eye was torn off, including his ear. He was bitten so hard a piece of his jaw bone was crushed. Afterward, he was thrown into a cage and left to bleed to death.

I am not a religious man, but I can only conclude that at that moment God turned around and paid attention. The police raided the facility, found Oogy, and took him to Ardmore Animal Hospital, where Dr. Bianco stitched him up and saved him. This coincided with the last weekend of life for our cat, Buzzy, who was 14 at the tine. My sons and I had taken Buzzy to AAH for his last visit. The staff had gathered Buzzy in when out comes this pup to be walked that looked like nothing more than a gargoyle. He covered us with kisses. The boys and I fell instantly in love with him.

Life goes out one door and in another.

"This is one of the happiest dogs I've ever met" Dr Bianco said. "I can't imagine what he'd be like if half his face hadn't been ripped off." Then, Dr. B said, "I am not going to tell you the things this dog has been through". Dr. B's assistant, Diane, took Oogy into her home for several weeks to foster him and make sure he was safe and to crate train him. Once Oogy came into our house, for my sons, then 12, it was like having a little brother. Whatever they did and wherever they went, there was Oogy. Oogy had to get involved in whatever the lads were doing. He became known as The Third Twin.

Dr. B thought Oogy was a Pit or Pit-mix and would get to be about 45 pounds. By the time of his first check up, Oogy weighed 70 pounds. When we walked in the door for the visit one of the women who works at AAH exclaimed "That's a Dogo!" I asked, "What's a Dogo?" She said, "I'm not sure."

We went on line and learned that the Dogo Argentina is bred in Argentina to hunt mountain lion and boar. Oogy can run about 30 miles an hour, all four legs off the ground like a Greyhound. His leg muscles are so strong that, when he sits, his butt is a half-inch off the ground.

Dogos hunt in packs. Dogos hurl themselves against their prey and swarm it. Oogy has a neck like a fire hydrant to protect him when he closes on his prey. He is built like a Pit Bull on steroids, with white fur as soft as butter and black freckles. Fully grown, Oogy is 85 pounds of solid muscle, but he does not know this and sits on us. He absolutely craves physical contact. He is full of kisses and chuffs like a steam engine when he is happy. He has a heart as big as all outdoors.

One of the traits of the breed is that they fully accept anyone their family does. It is not unusual to come home and find three teenagers on the floor playing a video game and Oogy sprawled across their laps like some living boa.

Oogy hated the crate, and would bark and bark whenever we put him in. This puzzled me because I had been told by people with crate-trained dogs that their pets love the crate and feel secure in its confines.

When Oogy was about eight months old, we hired a trainer who also happened to be an animal "whisperer". We introduced her to Oogy and she sat on the floor for a full five minutes talking to him. We could not hear a word she said. When the trainer lifted her head her eyes were brimming with tears. "Oogy want you to know" she said "how much he appreciates the love and respect you have shown him."

Then she asked about his routine. I started by showing her where he slept in the crate. She said immediately, "You have to get him out of that box". "Why?" "Because he associates being in a box with having his ear ripped off." It was a smack- myself-in-the-forehead moment. Oogy never went back in.

Given what Oogy endured and what he is bred for, people are constantly astonished that he loves animals and people as much as he does. Walking with Oogy is like walking with a mayoral candidate. He has to meet everyone.

A number of people we encountered in the neighborhood early on told me they were afraid of Oogy because when they would walk or jog by the house Oogy would bark at them and trot parallel to them, and given his size and looks, but everyone falls in love with Oogy.

By the end of their initial encounter they are rubbing, petting, even kissing him on the nose. Oogy kisses them back. Because of the way he looks, when people meet him for the first time they almost always ask if he is safe. I tell them, "Well, he has licked two people to death."



For the first year and a half of his life, part of Oogy's face was normal and the other part looked like a burn victim's. People who saw him in passing could not grasp the duality.

As Oogy grew, the scar tissue spread. He could not close his left eye, so it wept constantly; his lip was pulled up and back. Dr. B said Oogy was in constant pain. So, in January 2005, Dr. B. rebuilt Oogy's face. When all the scar tissue was removed there was a hole in Oogy's head the size of a softball. After removing the scar tissue Dr. B took grafts and pulled the flaps together and sewed Oogy back up.

Now Oogy has a hairline scar, but other than that looks just like any normal one-eared dog.

An essential part of this story is the fact that AAH has never taken a dime in payment for anything they have done for Oogy. I never asked them for such an arrangement. When I went to pay the first bill I was told, "Oogy's a no-pay." I never asked why this is. Oogy is their dog. We are just lucky enough to look after him.

Because some of his jaw bone was removed in the initial surgery, some of Oogy's lower left lip droops and a repository for dust and dirt. It is second nature to us to pull the detritus off his lip when we sit next to him.

One day I told my sons that when they tell their children about Oogy, they will remember this routine act of kindness. I think that, on some level, every day we try to atone for what happened to him.

Last summer Oogy had ACL surgery; his body ultimately rejected the steel plates and developed an infection so his leg had to be opened up a second time and the plates removed.

When I went to pick him up following the second surgery, the Technician who brought Oogy out said, "This is a great dog, I really love him." I said, "Yep, we're lucky to have him". The Tech looked at me and said, "No, you don't understand. I see hundreds of dogs each week, and every once in awhile there is a special one. And you have him.'

When I related that story to Dr. B he said, "But we already knew that."

Oogy's name is a derivative. The first day I was told we could adopt him I was thinking, "This is one ugly dog." But we couldn't call him "Ugly." Then I went to a variation of that from my youth, "Oogly," and his name followed immediately.

Two years after we named him we learned that Oogy is the name of the Ghost Dog in the film, "The Nightmare Before Christmas".

This is not inappropriate.

On a recent Saturday afternoon Oogy was curled up on the couch asleep, his head in my lap, and I was thinking about his life is now as opposed to the way his life had been before.

Would he have sensed he was dying? Was he conscious when the police put him on a rubber sheet and took him to the Ardmore Animal Hospital? Oogy went to sleep in a world of terror and searing pain and awoke surrounded by angels in white coats who were kind to him, who stroked him gently and talked softly to him. Instead of people who baited and beat and kicked him, he was surrounded with healing mercies.

I realized then that Oogy probably did not know he had not died and gone to heaven. So I told him. I said, "Listen pal. It only gets better after this."

This story comes from Mainline Rescue and Oogy's family shared this heart wrenching and touching story to educate people about the horrors of dogfighting.

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dearaewi

Animal Advocate for our canine companions. My mission is to raise awareness of the abuses and neglects that are visited upon our canine companions. Only... more »

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