Dogs. I love them. According to a 2015 survey by The American Pet Products Association (APPA), of the 79.7 million homes that have a pet, 54.4 million of those homes own one dog. So if Americans love them, too, how could we as a country allow dogfighting to flourish?

Between the years of 2003 and 2008, over 1000 dogfighting arrests were made. Dogfighting, which is a form of animal abuse, is a felony in all 50 states, Washington D.C., Puerto Rico, Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands. In most states, owning or keeping dogs for the purpose of fighting is also a felony. And if you participate as a spectator at a dogfight, you are a criminal as well in all states except Montana and Hawaii.

The reason people are attracted to dogfighting is greed. Large raids on dogfights have resulted in seizures of more than $500,000. The illegal gambling at a dogfight can result in $20,000 – $30,000 to be exchanged between spectators at a single fight. Stud fees and sale of pups can also bring in thousands of dollars. Greed is as equal a motive as pride, with owners considering the dog fighters to be extensions of their own vain selves. But, considering the treatment of the dogs to make them into fighters, vanity’s offspring is sadism.

Fighting dogs are isolated from other dogs. Their lives are lived on short, thick chains and are usually not socialized to other dogs and to people. The conditioning of fighting dogs also use a variety of legal and illegal drugs, including anabolic steroids to enhance muscle mass and aggressiveness. Narcotic drugs are used as well to increase aggression, speed and dull pain during a match.

A fight takes place in an arena called a “dog pit” that is approximately 14 square feet. The sides of the arena vary in materials that are strong enough to contain the furious animals. Fights last minutes or several hours. Both dogs suffer injuries such as puncture wounds, lacerations and broken bones. Fights are not typically to the death, but many dogs die of wounds after and losing dogs are often discarded or killed outright in a cruel, spectacular closing of the match.

Many rescued fighting dogs have to be euthanized. Reforming and reconditioning a dog after it has seen such cruelty takes great care, patience and love by professional dog trainers. The Dogfighting Rescue Coalition (DRC), a part of the Humane Society, is a network of shelters, animal rescues and specialized dog trainers who work directly with dogfighting dogs to evaluate, work with and eventually place the dogs into loving homes. According to the HSUS website, many of the dogs that are reconditioned by the DRC continue on to live normal, healthy lives as beloved household pets. Some even become excellent service dogs for the disabled. 

While dog fighting is a barbaric, terrible offense has spread, which does much to help eliminate the problem, the issue is far from over. Millions of dogs are still subjected to the torture of dog fighting and the injustice of euthanasia when they are deemed unadoptable because of the qualities ingrained in them from birth. The efforts being made are valiant, but they are only the beginning. While it may take years, or even decades, to eliminate dog fighting totally, the effort put into the fight is worth it to protect the innocent, both human and canine. Stricter consequences for those involved in this activity is a start.

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official position of the Parkway School District.