THE HSUS ON ANIMAL FIGHTING
THE FINAL ROUND
Promoting the Protection of All Animals
Anatomy of a Dogfight
THE AMERICAN PIT BULL TERRIER IS THE MOST popular breed of dogs
used in dogfighting. Although the dogs average only 40-50 pounds, their jaws are
extraordinarily muscular and capable of breaking an opponent’s leg. On top of
that, generations of selective breeding for maximum aggressiveness, combined
with often cruel training methods and conditioning regimes that can involve the
use of drugs and steroids, has resulted in dogs who are capable of inflicting
terrible wounds or killing an opponent.
Unfortunately, the cruelties of dogfighting begin early in a dog’s life and are
not limited to the animals who are forced to fight.
In a dogfight, two dogs are placed in a pit enclosed by plywood walls, where
they must fight before a crowd of cheering spectators until one dog is too
injured or exhausted to continue. The dogs, both the winner and the loser,
usually suffer from multiple puncture wounds and deep lacerations.
After the match, if a dog had an embarrassing loss, it is not unheard of for the
dog to be shot or have his throat cut so the breeder won’t get a reputation for
selling puppies of poor-quality fighting dogs. Even winning dogs sometimes die
as a result of their injuries. This isn’t surprising, considering that
dogfighters can’t run to the vet with battered animals for fear of being turned
over to authorities. Instead, using tape or suture kits to close up gating
wounds, owners do the job themselves.
Anatomy of a Cockfight
WITH RAZOR-SHARP, STEEL BLADES CALLED GAFFS – three-inch-long, ice-pick-like
weapons – attached to their legs, specially bred roosters, called gamecocks, are
pitted against each other in small arenas. There, trained to fight and often
drugged with stimulants and steroids, they plunge and slash each other in a
deadly duel. The gaffs inflict deep puncture wounds, wings and legs are broken,
and eyes are gouged out. Within minutes, the contestants may be staggering from
their injuries, but they are allowed no respite from combat. Handlers pick up
the birds and blow on their heads to revive them. If a bird has suffered a
puncture wound to his lungs and is drowning in his own blood, his handler may
suck the blood from the bird’s lungs through his beak so that the gird can
continue fighting. Matches typically end only when one of the birds is incapable
of attacking his opponent.
Cockfighters often argue that the birds are naturally aggressive. But in nature,
roosters seldom fight to the death. Fighting cocks are purposely bred and
trained to fight. They are often drugged and are armed and fitted with
artificial spurs for fighting. Finally, they are forced to continue fighting
because quitting is not permitted.
Cycle of Violence
THERE ARE OTHER NEGATIVE ACTIVITIES ASSOCIATED with animal fighting. Law
enforcement officials nationwide have documented a strong connection between
organized animal fighting and other crimes and violence. For example, illegal
gambling is the norm during animal fights since spectators wager on the outcome.
With the thousands of dollars that are bet, the owner of a winning animal can
collect anywhere from several hundred to tens of thousands of dollars in
undeclared income.
With so much money present, it is not uncommon for firearms to be present as
well. In fact, during raids of dogfighting and cockfighting events, it is not
unusual to find firearms and illegal drugs.
The exposure of young children to this world of cruelty, gambling, guns, drugs,
and other violence is another shocking aspect of animal fighting. Witnessing
such brutality can promote insensitivity towards animal suffering and enthusiasm
for violence. Even children who do not attend the fights may be at risk. The
presence of dangerously aggressive animals in a community increases the risk of
attacks on children who, because of their small size, may be perceived as
another animal.
Legislating an End
DOGFIGHTING IS A felony in the majority of states, but cockfighting is a felony
in far fewer states. In fact, it is still legal in Oklahoma, New Mexico, and
Louisiana.
In those states in which dogfighting and cockfighting are not felonies, animal
fighters consider misdemeanor fines as merely a business expense. Also,
promoters and trainers simply migrate from states where animal fighting is a
felony to states where the penalties are less severe or the law is not
aggressively enforced.
If you would like more information on what you can do to help end animal
fighting, including our activist packet, write or call us at the address and
phone number on the back of this brochure or visit our website,
www.AnimalFighting.org.
BORN TO LOSE: Animals Forced to Fight
THEY CALL IT A SPORT, BUT WHERE IS THE SPORT IN watching two animals attack each
other, often with lethal consequences? In recent years, there has been an
unprecedented increase in dogfighting and cockfighting, both in urban settings
and rural areas of the country. For some unknown reason, human spectators look
upon the suffering and pain of the animals as entertainment.
Even though animal fighting has no place in a civilized society, it remains
rampant in the United States, with tens of thousands of enthusiasts. That is why
The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) is engaged in a national campaign
to expose this gruesome practice, train law enforcement agencies to investigate
and arrest participants, strengthen laws against it, and impose bans on the
activity where it is now permitted.
The Humane Society
of the United States
2100 L Street, NW
Washington, DC 20037
202-452-1100 * Fax 301-258-3107
www.hsus.org
www.AnimalFighting.org
© 2001 The HSUS. All rights reserved.
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