Browning 1
Terrell Browning
Professor Ray-Stokes
English 1101
October 13, 2014
The Truth About Dog Fighting
I knew from the first time I saw the little Pit Bull Terrier that we would be best friends for life. I had never had a dog before so I was uber excited. I named my new friend Dora, mainly because her older brother’s name was Diego, and made her life as great as I could. Dora was a very friendly dog; despite the stereotype Pit Bulls have been given. I did not agree with dog fighting at all. I wanted to make sure that my precious Dora would never have to worry about another dog trying to harm her. I did a very great job protecting Dora until one day at the Vet Clinic. Dora was called to be seen next. At the other end of the hallway was
…show more content…
a very large German Shepard without a leash. As Dora and I walked by, the other dog lunged at Dora and had his mouth around her tiny puppy neck. I took immediate action and kicked the large dog. The German Shepard let go of Dora, and I quickly picked up my little buddy and went into the nearest room closing the door. I was shocked how violent towards my precious little Dora. What Makes a Fighter? According to Kathryn Destreza, dogs are not born to be fighters.
The owner makes that decision for the dog. It is true that most fighting dogs come from a long line of great fighters. Destreza says, “The desired behavioral traits are dogs that will demonstrate gameness or game
Browning 2
(terms used to describe the animal’s ability and willingness to fight).” Depending on the level of fighting the owner is involved with sometimes the dog is trained. The different levels of dogfighting are: street level, hobbyist level, professional level old timer, and professional level modern day. Dogs that fight at a professional level have a better chance of receiving medical attention after a fight. Usually if the dog loses but is worth a lot to the owner the dog will not be left for dead or euthanized (Drestreza 281-283).
When It All Started
Ateyo, back in 1979, found evidence stating that in the 1800’s England started breeding Staffordshire bull terriers for their aggressiveness. Then in the 1860’s the Staffordshire was introduced to the United States. The American bull terrier was bred to be larger and stronger than its English counterpart that was the birth of dog fighting in America (Melody Molina 346). It has been said that dog fighting was started for entertainment, sport, to gain wealth, and even to validate manhood (Rhonda Evans). From one view one may say dogfighting is no different than boxing or ultimate fighting. However, the most popular view is that it is wrong to have
…show more content…
dogs fight one another (Molina 345). Once Dora and I were safe in the examination room I checked her neck where the other dog had bit her. I was relieved to see that there was little damage to Dora’s neck, but she was very worked up by what had happened. Dora cried and trembled in my arms. When the Vet came into the room she also examined Dora to see if she had been injured. That day I realized that even if my dog wasn’t a violent one it didn’t guarantee that Dora would not be involved in some kind of dog fight. I didn’t want her to be defenseless against other dogs so I decided to toughen Browning 3 her up a bit. I would get down on my hands and knees and then I would begin to wrestle and bite Dora playfully. Dora enjoyed play fighting with me, but most of all she loved to play “tug of war”. As she grew older she also grew more powerful. The play fighting had done its job. Dora was not afraid of any dog anymore. Training There are different methods of training for fighting dogs. Destreza states that some owners use a bait dog. A bait dog is one that has no training, no medical treatment, and usually is malnourished (Kathryn Destreza). The professional fighting dog will fight the bait dog for practice. The bait dog could also be considered as the sparring partner. Owners also give the dogs performance enhancing drugs also known as steroids. Along with the drugs the owners also make the dogs run on treadmills and carry heavy tires around using their mouths. Carrying the heavy tires strengthens the jaw muscle for when the dog bites down on the other fighter. Once a dog has been trained to fight his or her worth to the owner is drastically increased (Drestreza 281-282). Dog Fighting 101 Most people don’t know, but in big professional dog fighting rings drugs, prostitution, and illegal gun sales are also involved. It isn’t always gang related; white collar and blue collar workers are just as involved in the illegal dog fighting rings. When gangs do have a part in the fights it’s usually a street fight to see who has the stronger dog. Gang members also have fight dogs for protection and intimidation. There is sometimes a great deal of money on one fight, but sometimes it is just because teens want to see if their dog has that gameness. It is crazy that there Browning 4 are so many different reasons for dog fighting. Studies have also shown that there are just as many women involved in dog fighting as men (Kathryn Destreza282). According to Rhonda Evans dog fighting is best described as forcing two dogs to fight each other in a pit until one quits or dies. Then people watching the fight place bets on either dog as the fight starts (Rhonda Evans 827). Author Jack Grove reported from a lecturer in criminology at Middlesex University named Harding that dog fighting is also known as “dog jousting” in London, England. There is even specialized breeding to make the Pit Bulls heavier, stronger, and more vicious (Grove 1-3). Dora grew up to be a very strong and loyal dog. One day when I was walking around the neighborhood with Dora a small but very ferocious dog came running up on us. Dora and the little dog began to fight! I tried to break them up but the little dog kept following us as we tried to get away from the situation. The last time I broke the two dogs up the little one had been badly injured. Later on that day, after talking to the owner of the other dog, I found out that the dog had been put to sleep because of the injuries it had sustained. I felt terrible. Once again my best friend Dora had been in a fight, but this time she had won but at the cost of an others life. I, however, did not blame Dora but instead blamed myself for teaching her how to fight. Owners of fighting dogs must not have a moral compass.
Anybody that can forcefully make two dogs fight (sometimes to the death) should be held accountable for what they do. Dog fighting is illegal in America but it still happens every day. Pit Bulls can be very loving, loyal, playful, and nonviolent pets, but for some people Pit Bulls are just another way to make a few dollars. Dog fighting is a very violent sport, but just as other forms of entertainment it is in high
Browning 5
demand. One can only hope that one day the horrible and sadistic world of dog fighting will be eradicated.
Works Cited
Kathryn Destreza. Veterinary Ireland Journal Volume 64 Number 5; Dog Fighting: An Overview April 21, 2011 Print
Melody Molina Alliant International University, Hiroko Arikawa Springfield, MO, USA, Donald I. Templer Alliant International University. Social Behavior and Personality, 2013, 41(2), 345-352 Society for Personality Research, http://dx.doi.org/10.2224/sbp.2013.41.2.345
Evans, Rhonda; Gauthier, DeAnn K; Forsyth, Craig J. Dogfighting: Symbolic expression and validation of masculinity, Sex Roles; Dec 1998; 39, 11/12
Jack Grove. The Times Higher Education Supplement; The Outer Limits - Bite club, http://proxygsuarm1.galileo.usg.edu/login?url=http://search.proquest.com/docview/1428732643?accountid=8366; ProQuest Education Journals, ProQuest Newsstand, ProQuest Social Science Journals, July
4,2013
A dog is just that, a dog, until someone comes along and makes it into a monster. A dog may be bred to do something, and can be trained to do an entirely different thing. For example, pit bulls have been bred to be nanny dogs. They are supposed to protect babies and ultimately care for them like they would their own pups. Some people have taken this instinct and turned it into something horrid.
According to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), there is a “great deal of confusion associated with the label ‘Pit Bull,’” as it does not refer to a single breed of dog, but rather to a group of breeds with similar characteristics1. These characteristics include short hair, a wide skull and shoulders, muscle definition, stocky build and a deep jawline, the combination of which create a dog that manages to strike fear into a perfect stranger. The term ‘Pit Bull’ is derived from the bulldog, which was originally bred as a hunting dog for large game, but has since developed into a “loyal companion rather than a working dog.”1 Their history as “gripping dogs” for hunters follows them into modern society, as many of these dogs have been inhumanely pitted against one another as well as other animals for sport and for human entertainment1. It is because of these illegal fighting rings that ‘Pit Bull’ type breeds have become the subje...
What words come to mind when one hears the words “pit bull?” How about aggressive, violent, or dangerous? In many cases, this isn’t actually true. Because of the negative media attention for attacks on humans and other dogs that pit bull breeds receive, many Americans place a stigma on pit bulls, tagging them as dangerous and vicious. This stigma typically applies to all pit bulls, not just the ones that are actually dangerous. To remedy the issue of dangerous dogs attacking other beings, the legislative act known as breed-specific legislation is being debated throughout the United States. Gary J. Patronek, a veterinary doctor, defines breed-specific legislation as a law than “bans, restricts, or imposes conditions on ownership of specific breeds or dogs presumed to pose greater risk of biting people” (788). Breed-specific legislation is commonly debated in communities that have recently experienced a dog-bite related injury or fatality (Patronek, Slater, and Marder 788). However, this law would ban all dogs of the pit bull breed or any related dog based solely on their breed, rather than disposition. Therefore, breed-specific legislation should not be enacted throughout the United States because is biased against pit bulls and is ineffective in reducing dog-bite attacks by ignoring other aggressive dog breeds.
Commonly targeted breeds are usually judged based on their appearances, rather than actual documentation. Various studies have shown that most of the dogs involved in fatal attacks are of unknown breed, and most of them are intact. Owner responsibility is perhaps the most important aspect of preventing aggressive behaviors. Even though sometimes a dog is properly trained and cared for by his or her owner, there is still the possibility of aggression regardless of breed. The best place to start in order to make the world a safer place for other animals and humans, laws demanding a higher standard of care for animals should be implemented.
This produced a dog with a high prey drive with a medium-sized, stocky build and powerful jaws. Contrary to popular belief, the dogs were originally used in the sport of bull-baiting, where dogs would attack the cattle - not other dogs. Since the sport was executed in a pit, the dogs were dubbed ‘pit bull’ and that name has stuck since. When the sport was banned in 1835, the people who relied on these dogs for an income turned the dogs against each other. Their family friendly reputation changed, “around 1976, when animal-fighting venues were added to the Animal Welfare Act, according to Donald Cleary of the National Canine Research Council. Pits--often trained as combatants--came to be seen as dangerous. Throughout the next two decades, stories about vicious pits mauling innocent children appeared in news outlets across the country” (Tullis 3). Interestingly enough, pit bulls were not always the breed under fire by society. In the 1800’s, bite reports by bloodhounds, which were often used to hunt down escaped slaves, flooded the Northeastern newspapers. After World War ll, there was an increase of bite reports by German Shepherd Dogs, a breed used by the Nazis. Pit bulls are the most recent breed of dog to be misjudged. People began to fear pit bulls, this fear
Most of the dogs on this list are common household pets, like the Labrador retriever, and are normally non-aggressive and very friendly. Many times these dogs show no sign of aggression and pose no threat to society. Perspective One Breed-specific laws were put in place with the expectation to help prevent dog bites and attacks. The State and Federal government both came to the conclusion that this is a positive way to promote safety from dog attacks. “Both state and federal courts consistently uphold the constitutionality of breed-specific pit bull laws.... ...
“Dogfighting Fact Sheet.” The Humane Society of the United States. 2 Nov. 2009. Web. 23 Nov.
The American Pit Bull is considered as a genuine breed because there are various breeds of pit bull that could have been mixed with other dogs. Pit bulls were raised for baiting larger animals during the hunting seasons. With the faithfulness of t...
...ports Illustrated cover photo of a pit bull (Pit Bull Rescue Central, "Breed Information”). Dog fighting made a comeback during the 1980s and the pit bull became the favorite macho dog for dog fighters. The dogs were trained to kill or be killed. Pit bulls were also the preferred guard dog for gangs, thugs and criminals. Since the supporters and detractors of pit bulls hold such disparate opinions regarding the ferocity of the breeds, it is only hoped that further discussion and education will help resolve the sad fate that awaits these unfortunate animals. Simply placing all the blame on the breeds will not solve the problems of dog fighting, overbreeding, aggressive training, and excessive euthanizations. Lastly, the biased, sensationalistic publicity of horrific dog attacks which has destroyed the reputation of the once beloved All American Dog must cease.
Dog fighting grew within parts of the United States, Europe, and Asia but the concern about humaneness still remained. By the 1860's almost all states outlawed the sport but it continued to flourish through the 20th century throughout the general public. While Japan and parts of Russian still remain legal Wayne Pacelle, president of the Humane Society, says at least 40,000 people are involved in dog fighting domestically.
Even though pit bulls are the majority of dog attacks anybody hears about, they are loyal and caring dogs. All they want is the love and approval of their owners. They will do anything that they are told to do. Their strength, stamina, and speed fuel the passion they have for their owners. Pit bulls are not vicious by nature; they are good guard dogs fueled by the love for their family; and, they are definitely loyal friends. They have a lower temperament than many other well-known breeds; therefore, they are not vicious by nature at all. They are very strong guard dogs. Pit bulls are known to be a scary breed, so people stay away from them. They have an amazing amount of speed and stamina that they can use to chase predators away, too. Pit bulls are the best friends anyone could ask for. They are loyal and loving creatures that just want to please their family. They are good dogs to train to be around children. If the children are a part of the dog’s family, then the dog will protect the child at all costs. Pit bulls are a good breed to have as a family
At this point they were most commonly referred to as “Bull Dogs”; originating from bull baiting, a sport they were suited to be good at. When this got outlawed in 1835 in England people found alternative ways to make money, this is where they came up with dog fighting “At this point, it seems likely that at least one and probably more strains of terrier were introduced into the breed to make it more "game".” (PitBulls, n.d.). A pit back then and now have been characterized by always having more aggression than any other animal. They made the better dog in their eyes to be able to have dog fights. That Pit bulls were only looked as a means of profit, not as a living thing. In Irish they described the Pits as “Old Family Dog” (PitBulls, n.d.). That they were the perfect dog for a family. They putting aside the aggression and prey drive they were extremely friendly towards
Aggression directed toward owners is not a unique occurrence, and it is one that causes an emotional struggle between owner and pet. Assessment and treatment of this troublesome behavior problem must take into account the owners safety as well as practical expectations for improvement. Comparatively mild aggression may be...
The use of canines trace back to the time of the Romans, which used canines for security and hunting. It was common for the Romans and the Spanish conquistadors to use dogs during war time (Losowsky, 2013). In recent war time, the British, German and American military forces have proved that canine/soldier teams are beneficial. In
Dog fighting is a blood sport in which two dogs are placed into a pit together and are forced to rip each other to the death for the “amusement” and monetary gain of spectator-gamblers. Although many experts and their research point in other directions, the solutions to dog fighting are making sure people know what to expect from certain breeds, how to properly train and care for these dogs, and ensuring the community knows how to identify and report a dog fight or report a suspicious environment similar to the dog fighting environment. The reason many dog attacks are reported are because many people do not know how to identify or react around certain dogs.