The cruel world of dog fighting: Highlighting animal abuse in sport

“Dogs are just like people. Their history can define them. However, they can still become the most loving and loyal companions ever.”

In the past year, the words “sport” and “corruption” have become worryingly intimate across global headlines. Whilst football, athletics and, most recently, tennis, have suffered the scrutiny of the public eye, few sports typify the moral pitfalls of mankind more than dogfighting. For those blissfully unaware of this “sport”, sadly, it’s title is self-explanatory. Dogs viciously attack each other until one is declared the victor.

Supporters would argue that this crude definition is quite befitting of boxing. Professional boxers train in refurbished gyms, not derelict, urine-stenched cages.

They inflict physical, rather than mental, wounds on their sparring partners and the rewards for victory can reach nine-figure sums.

The Humane Society of the United States notes that the fights can average on one or two hours, ending only when one of the dogs will not or cannot continue. For fighting dogs, survival is their only privilege.

The Humane Society has cited cases of dogs dying from blood loss, shock, dehydration, exhaustion, or infection. Many of them suffer for hours – or even days – after the fight is over before eventually giving into their injuries. This is the harsh reality of dogfighting, an over-brutalised and under-reported world.

The dog most commonly-associated with the sport is the American Pit Bull Terrier, garnering a reputation as a savage, hot-tempered animal. While many may see them as aggressors, it is clear that within the context of dogfighting they are merely pawns facilitating a world of illegal gambling. Nonetheless, they are left to bear the physical and reputational scars of their owners’ crimes.

However, in the heart of the US, an organisation of volunteers are striving show the world the true nature of the American Pit Bull. New York-based Pibbles & More Animal Rescue (PMAR) work tirelessly to rehabilitate and provide adoption homes for pit bulls subjected to abuse and neglect, including those suspected to be victims of dogfighting.

PMAR’s Samantha Santoro told the IPF about their admirable work with two pit bulls, Brooklyn and Truth.

How dog fighting affected Truth

Truth’s ears were cut in what is known as “home cropping”. If performed by a veterinarian, the ears heal symmetrically, but unfortunately Truth’s are badly scarred and uneven. Additionally, his teeth have been filed down. 

These physical attributes fit the profile for a bait dog, who are mutilated so they can’t harm the dogs training to be fighters. They are usually very submission in nature, which further ensures they are less likely to injure a fighting dog. For Truthy, as we like to call him, this is no different.

He can be extremely submissive and it’s clear that his former life has left both physical and mental scars.

Truth had physical attributes that fit the profile for a bait dog, who are mutilated so they can’t harm the dogs training to be fighters. [Image credit: PMAR]

Despite this, he loves people and constantly gives and receives affection. When he first came to our home, he clearly had behavioural issues that could be attributed to his prior life. I’m surprised he likes any dogs given his background, but he has learned to love and live with other dogs, especially his girlfriend, Sprinkles.

Truth is now living happily with a foster family because of PMAR.

Brooklyn is now conditioned to go into fight mode

Brooklyn found his way into the NY shelter system, but under very different circumstances. He was one of five dogs seized from a home, where he was kept in a bsement and we believe he may have been forced to fight.

Brooklyn had been stabbed in the head with a screwdriver, causing severe injuries to his head. [Image credit: PMAR]

Brooklyn had been stabbed in the head with a screwdriver and it was also reported that he was kicked and strangled.

His intake photo at the shelter (above) showed him with blood pouring down his face. Understandably, his past has greatly impacted him. He is fearful in certain situations and does not get along with medium and large-sized dogs (he does love puppies though) as his past has him conditioned to go into fight mode to protect himself.

However, Brooklyn has come a really long way and learnt to trust people again. Although he can still be fearful in certain situations, he is definitely recovering well and even got to appear on the Huffington Post Live as an ambassador for the breed.

Brooklyn appeared on The Huffington Post Live as an ambassador for his breed. [Image credit: PMAR]

“Dogs are just like people. Their history can define them. However, they can still become the most loving and loyal companions ever.”

Although great strides have been made to outlaw this sport across the globe, it is still prevalent in many countries. With inspiring organisations such as PMAR fighting for the good of these animals, one can only hope that further steps are taken to send the harsh world of dogfighting into extinction.