ASPCA Education: Animalessons: Current Newsletter

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In the summer of 2007, people everywhere became blatantly aware of an underground world that animal welfare, animal rights and anti-cruelty groups know far too well—the world of dog fighting. When the 15-acre rural Virginia property owned by Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick was raided on drug-related suspicions, authorities discovered a large--scale dog fighting operation. The story hit the news like wildfire and the question resounded from Maine to California—“Dog fighting still goes on in the United States?”

Yes, dog fighting still occurs in the United States, and its history is deep. The development of modern day dog fighting as practiced in Europe, North and South America, can be traced to 1835, when bull-baiting was prohibited in England.

After the ban, owners of bulldogs—who were used to bait bulls and other animals—turned to staging fights between the dogs. Soon, the largest bulldogs were bred with terriers to produce the bull terriers, who today are the prominent breed of choice for fighting. Staffordshire Bull Terriers, American Staffordshire Terriers and Pit Bull Terriers come from this ancestry. Dogs who fall into this broad class are identified as pit bulls.

The term “blood sport” has been around for hundreds of years, but its meaning has changed through the course of history. Originally used to describe hunting activities like fox hunting and hare coursing (the chase, capture and kill of hares by packs of sight hounds such as Greyhounds), the term eventually became more commonly used to describe any forced fight between two animals, or the baiting of one species by another. Hogdog fighting, bull-baiting, badger-baiting, trunking and even bullfighting are all considered blood sports. Dog fighting is one of the most common blood sports in the United States today.

Man’s best friend isn’t the only animal fighting victim, however. Cockfighting (a fight between two game roosters) has its roots deep in American history and culture, with many of the founding fathers being fond of (and participating in) this blood sport, as well.

It wasn’t until June 2007 that cockfighting was made illegal in Louisiana, the last of the 50 states to ban the activity—though the ban did not take effect until August 2008. Though illegal throughout the United States today, cockfighting still occurs across the country, particularly in the rural South and in areas with immigrant populations in whose home countries cockfighting may still be legal and part of the norm.

Admittedly, the topic of animal fighting is a difficult one to address with students, but when approached appropriately, is a necessary and beneficial conversation—and they probably know more than you think. According to Jeff Eyre, Director of Field Operations for the ASPCA’s Anti-Cruelty Department, the youngest person documented and arrested for organized dog fighting was a ten-year-old boy from New York State. “This was not a case of novice street fighting,” says Jeff. “He was highly organized and competing his dogs against a major organized gang.”

Teachers in Chicago schools tell stories of eight-year-olds in their second grade classes who are discussing fighting dogs when they should be studying math or social studies. In the rural South, there are entire families that participate in the training and fighting of dogs, like a family business or a casual hobby.

Contrary to popular belief, involvement in animal fighting has little correlation to race or socioeconomic status. “It has nothing to do with their level of education,” explains Dr. Melinda Merck, ASPCA Senior Director of Veterinary Forensic Sciences. “It doesn’t matter how much money they have or what kind of car they drive. People who are involved in blood sport enterprises are doing it because they love the blood sport. Those who need the violence want it in their lives.” Dr. Merck has been involved in numerous dog fighting cases, including Michael Vick’s, and is often called to testify in court as an expert witness. She says it’s a mentality that traces back to Roman times, when everyone would gather in a coliseum and pit lion against man. “Blood sports are violent sports where the participants don’t have choices. That is why it’s criminal. Helpless victims are being forced into these matches by violent, depraved individuals, which is something that society recognizes as threatening and offensive. The concern is how that will spill over into the rest of society.”

While many dog fighters are also involved in gang activities, and most known offenders also have a history of drug-related arrests or convictions, many young people also find themselves involved in the activity through family members who either participate as spectators or are fighting dogs themselves. When children become involved in dog fighting this way, it can be extremely difficult to intervene, but no less necessary. According to Dr. Merck, many states have penalties for being a spectator at a dog fighting or cockfighting match, and yet children are often brought to these events. “If criminal acts are being performed in the vicinity of a child, it is in many states considered cruelty to the child, or child endangerment. But it’s not just the dog fighting,” she continues, “it’s the training of the dogs, too.

The methods by which these dogs are trained can be extremely cruel, and being cruel to the dog affects the child.” It is not hopeless. According to Dr. Merck, “There is more opportunity for rehab and intervention for children who are growing up in areas where dog fighting is accepted, but it has to start young.” The reality is that these areas are filled with pit bulls or pit bull-type dogs—and banning the breed is not the answer. “Someone has to teach these kids compassion and help them understand that these animals are not born to fight. Some of them believe that it is the only purpose of the breed. That mentality has to change.”

One program designed to do just that is Lug-Nuts, a part of the “Training Wheels” program developed by Sue Sternberg, the founder and director of Rondout Valley Animals for Adoption, a not-for-profit animal shelter in upstate New York. Sue developed the program to suit the needs of high-crime.

Urban areas, where most dog fights are not organized fights, but spontaneous street fights between teenagers. The program offers kids and adults an equally competitive alternative to fighting their dogs—weight pulling. The types of dogs typically used for fighting make great prospects for weight pulling competitions—and the activity offers many of the same elements of the dog fights, including the boost of self-esteem many kids are looking for, without the cruelty and violence. If you feel that dog fighting is an issue in your school and community, visit www.suesternberg.com for more information about the Lug-Nuts program, and how you may be able to bring it to your area.

Dog fighting is now a felony in all 50 states, but it still goes on in cities and states across the country with disturbing frequency. The Michael Vick case was only different than the others in that Vick’s celebrity status brought national media attention to the case, bringing the plight of fighting dogs into the public eye. Once a positive role model for his young fans, Vick got a different kind of attention for his involvement in these cruel and illegal activities, and inspired the next generation of animal advocates to speak out against these atrocities.

Gradually, we are heading down the path to change for these animals. As each state and agency begin to take animal fighting investigations more seriously, and the laws and penalties get stronger, we will continue to crack down on each operation and put an end to the “sport” one community at a time.

Michael Vick’s dogs lived a horrible life, and those who died—died a horrible death. However, if the momentum borne from his case continues, perhaps a day will come when we can look back and say that those dogs didn’t fight and die in vain.