They say a dog is a man’s best friend, which could not be truer. Dogs provide love, affection, and endless smiles. So, why would anyone want to subject them to violence? Dog fighting is barbaric, horrific animal cruelty; immoral, illegal and a felony! Dog Fighting Awareness day is April 8 and here’s what you need to know to take a stand.
What is it exactly?
ASPCA defines dogfighting as “a type of blood sport in which dogs are forced to fight one another for entertainment and profit of spectators. It is a felony offense in all 50 states; dog fighting is one of the most deplorable forms of animal cruelty.”
Dogs’ safety is not a joke or a game, so it is crucial to make sure this brutal act does not continue.
How does it affect dogs?
The breeds people choose to use in dog fighting vary around the world, but the most common Breed in the United States is the American Staffordshire Terrier, American Pitbull Terrier. These loving animals are great family pets, but tragically, dog fighting has given them a bad reputation, and due to ignorance of the breed and BSL (Breed Specific Legislation) there is blatant discrimination of the Breed.
Fighting dogs are raised and trained in a variety of brutal ways including:
- Kittens, small dogs, and other animals used as bait
- Isolated from other dogs and most people
- Spend most of their lives on short, heavy chains living in deplorable conditions with severe untreated wounds
- Make use of a variety of legal and illegal drugs, including anabolic steroids to enhance muscle mass and encourage aggressiveness
- Narcotic drugs used to increase the dogs’ aggression, increased reactivity, and mask pain or fear during a fight
- May have their ears cropped, and tails docked close to their bodies. The fighters usually perform this cropping/docking themselves using crude and inhumane techniques.
What is a dogfight?
Animals are forced to fight for their lives and to their death! These fights can last anywhere from minutes to hours long. This horrific act leaves the animals involved suffering severe injuries such as puncture wounds, lacerations, blood loss, crushing injuries, and broken bones. The evil, inhumane perpetrators and spectators allow the losing dogs to be tortured, discarded, killed and left with untreated injuries to suffer unmercifully and die. Animal Fighting Case Study: Michael Vick
How can you help stop this barbaric act?
Staying informed is the first step in ending dog fighting, but it also requires action.
Join GG’s Journey in the battle against dog fighting and all acts of animal cruelty and neglect.
- If you see or suspect any form of animal cruelty and neglect, DO SOMETHING…call the local authorities and your local humane society... Be their VOICE!
Donate to GG’s Foundation where we are actively working to provide humane education to prevent animal homelessness, euthanasia of healthy and treatable pets, exploitation, inhumane treatment, and animal cruelty.
- Get Tough! Join Sir Patrick Stewart in the ASPCA’s #GetTough movement by snapping a muscle-flexing selfie and sharing it on your social channels using the hashtag #GetTough and tagging @ASPCA.
- Follow GG social media and blogs to stay informed.
By working together and following the mission of GG’s Journey, we will help to prevent animal cruelty, neglect and the suffering and fear that far too many animals endure. Together, we can make a Pawsitive Change!
Thank you, and may God Bless and protect the Animals!