Pit Bull Fighting

Dog Fighting is one of the most barbaric 'sports' in existence today. Although illegal in all 50 states and the District of Columbia, the people who fight Pits operate underground, making them very difficult to catch and successfully prosecute. The people involved in animal fighting operate in very closed circles, and the fights themselves are held in remote and secret locations.

What is Dog Fighting?

Dog fighting is seen as those involved as a 'sport'. It is in reality a vile 'contest' where two dogs (who have been bred, conditioned and trained to fight) are put into a pit to fight each other for the entertainment and gambling pleasure of the spectators. The fights usually last about an hour, but can last longer than two hours. The 'match' ends when one of the dogs either will not or cannot carry on.

Animal Cruelty

The injuries sustained by the dogs involved in fighting are severe and frequently fatal. These dogs are extremely powerful and are capable of doing serious damage to each other. The people who fight these dogs cannot take the dogs to a regular vet for fear of exposure to the law, so they generally 'medically treat' the dogs themselves, with little to no knowledge of veterinary medicine. As a result, these dogs frequently die of blood loss, shock, dehydration, exhaustion and infection.

If a dog loses a match, the owner of the 'losing dog' frequently kills the dog... and not by humane methods. The dogs who lose matches are often left to die of their injuries, are shot or even electrocuted. The owners do this out of anger because the dog has embarrassed them by losing, or has cost them a lot of money, or to keep the fighting dog bloodlines 'pure' by removing that losing dog from the gene-pool.

Some owners also train their dogs for fights by using smaller animals as bait (cats, rabbits, small dogs). These animals are usually pets that have been stolen for this use, or acquired through the 'free to good home' ads.

The Pit Bull Problem

State Laws

Although dog fighting is illegal everywhere in the US, dog fighting laws differ by state in the ways that they impact the perpetrators. In states that do not ban keeping or selling fighting dogs, law enforcement must actually catch the offenders in the act of fighting the dogs to be able to successfully prosecute. It is extremely difficult to infiltrate animal fighting circles, though people who fight animals are easily identified by the condition of their dogs, the training equipment and drug paraphernalia they possess. The below information is accurate as of July 2005.

Dog fighting: Is a felony in 48 states, Washington DC, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.. it is still a misdemeanor in the states of Idaho and Wyoming. It is legal in American Samoa and considered a violation in Guam.

Possession of dogs for fighting: Is a felony in 42 states, Washington DC, and the Virgin Islands. It is a misdemeanor in the states of Indiana, New York, Texas, West Virginia and Wyoming. It is still legal in the states of Georgia, Idaho and Nevada, and in American Samoa, Guam and Puerto Rico.

Being a spectator at a dog fight: Is a felony in only 20 states and the Virgin Islands. It is a misdemeanor in the states of Alaska, Arkansas, California, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachussetts, Minnesota, Missouri, New York, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin and Wyoming. It is also a misdemeanor in Washington DC and Puerto Rico. It is still legal in the states of Georgia and Hawaii, and in American Samoa and Guam.

Click here to view charts of comprehensive state dog fighting laws.

A Community Problem

Many people are either unaware or turn a blind eye to obvious signs of dog fighting in their community. They shouldn't. Dog Fighting is a community problem for many reasons, including:

  • Dog fighters are often involved in the sale and possession of drugs, as well as illegal weapons. The weapons are present due to the large amount of cash present for betting upon the matches.
  • Dog fighters and spectators have a history of violent and criminal behavior towards people.
  • Dog fighting is another entertainment activity for gangs.
  • It is not uncommon for dog fighters or spectators to involve their children in dog fighting. Research shows that 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 ok to inflict the cruelties they observe and that dog fighting is an acceptable practice.
  • The dogs that are used for fighting have been selectively bred for animal aggression. Their presence in the community increases the risk of attacks on other animals and also people.

What can I do to help?

  • For more information, a copy of your state's statute, or for tips on how to make your state's law more effective, you can contact the HSUS Government Affairs Section at 202-452-1100 or email legislation@hsus.org
  • If you live in a state where dog fighting is still only a misdemeanor, please write to your state legislators and urge them to make it a felony.
  • You are also encouraged to write letters to the media to increase public awareness of the dangers of dog fighting and to law enforcement officials to urge them to take the issue seriously. You can find a sample letter here. You can also display the HSUS dog fighting poster in your community.
  • If you suspect that dog fighting is going on in your neighborhood, alert your local law enforcement agency. You can also click here to report dog fighters.

Educational Resources

  • The Final Round - Video (warning - graphic images)
  • HSUS Dog Fighting Flyer - English - Spanish
  • Off the Chain - How did such a beloved breed come to be feared as a "public enemy," now banned in more than 200 U.S. counties and the entire province of Ontario, Canada? That's what director Bobby J. Brown seeks to show in his new film Off the Chain, available on DVD from Ardustry Home Entertainment. Beginning with a history of the American pit bull terrier, the film explores the evolution of the breed and gives viewers a disturbing look into the minds of the dog owners and trainers who participate in the gruesome world of dog fighting. Brown is generously donating one-third of the proceeds from sales of Off the Chain DVDs sold through hsus.org and HSUS publications to The HSUS. To order, click here, and use the redemption code: HSUSOTC. Be forewarned: the DVD includes graphic scenes of animal cruelty and may not be appropriate for children.

All Information above courtesy of The Humane Society of the United States.