Dogfighting, Research Paper Example

Introduction

While most people usually buy dogs for safety or entertainment purposes, others use these animals in dogfighting business. In fact, dogfighting is a kind of the contest, which involves two specially trained dogs (usually pit bulls) that fight with each other in a small pit for the entertainment and gambling of the visitors. Fights usually last for 1-2 hours and end when one of the two dogs is dead or can no longer continue the contest. What is usually considered immoral and unethical brings 500-million profit to the dog-owners annually. According to the ABC News, “some have made a career out of dogfighting, which can be a lucrative pastime, with millions of dollars changing hands among the estimated 20,000 to 40,000 dogfight spectators and participants in the United States.” (Bacon 2007). Despite of the fact that this activity is prohibited by the law, fines are not high enough to stop the dog-owners from illegal dogfighting because of high profit of this type of business. According to CNN, the government officials underestimate the size of this problem, as “fifteen years ago, 2 to 3 percent of the dogs coming into animal shelters were pit bulls; now pit bulls make up about a third” (CNN 2007). In this research, writer will examine various facts about dogfighing, its history, reasons for starting this type of illegal activity, moral and legal issues that are usually associated with this problem.

Historical Background

The use of dogs in various fights started in 43 A.D., when Romans invaded Britain. The war continued seven years and for that period of time dogs on the battlefield have shown excellent results both it attack and defense. Though Roman soldiers won the war, English battle dogs impressed them. During the peacetime between these countries, Romans began to import dogs from England. Moreover, they have used them not only on the battlefield, but also in the town centers for public amusement. Fighting dogs were later exported to France, Spain, and other European countries. The next stage of establishment of dogfighting as a popular sport goes back to Medieval England. In fact, it acquired certain characteristics of gambling as it was practiced among bourgeoisie. “The practice of pitting dogs against other animals, such as bulls and bears, continued through medieval times in England until it was outlawed in 1835 by the Parliament in the Humane Act of 1835”. (Gibson 2005)

Fighting dogs were imported on the territory of the United States before the Civil war. Scientists agree that the primary reason for dogs being brought to the USA was crossbreeding in order to create new species of the dog, such as American Pit Bull Terrier. (Villavicencio 2007) As in many other countries, this type of sport quickly became popular among common people and was also spread to the Latin America.

Though it was prohibited in all states, the interest in this contest was supported by a numerous number of gamers and dealers. “It was so popular in fact that in 1881 the Ohio and Mississippi railroads advertised special fares to a dog-fight in Louisville between Lloyd’s Pilot, owned by ‘Cockney Charlie’ Lloyd and Crib, owned by Louis Krieger” (Gibson 2005). Recently, dogfighting is considered to be a felony. Nonetheless, more and more dogs are suffering, as there is no legitimate way to stop this type of business.

Dogfighting Cases

Government officials state that fines regulate illegal use of the dogs in this type of felony. However, a lot of cases of dogfighting are highlighted in mass media during the past 5 years. For instance, two men were arrested in Dayton, OH by associates of Montgomery County Animal Resource and Dayton Police officers for keeping 39 pit bulls for illegal fights in 2006. Men denied the fact that these dogs were used for fighting purposes. However, police officers found firearms, different bottles of injections, dog-fighting publications, etc (Pet Abuse 2006).  Michael Vick, quarterback of Atlanta Falcons, was charged with dogfighting and suspected in attending fights and murdering his own dog. According to the Washington Post, “if convicted, Vick could face a total of up to six years in prison and $350,000 in fines. He could face additional discipline by the NFL, even if he is not convicted.” (Maske 2007) Three men were arrested and 150 dogs were seized in Tucson, AZ by Pima County Sheriff’s SWAT deputies in 2008. Additionally, officials state that three people of upper dogfighting echelon were captured. 99 % of the seized dogs were pit bulls. David Robisnon, associate of Richmond Sheriff’s deputy was arrested and charged with dogfighting on April 17, 2009. “Henrico police received a call Thursday shortly after 12:30 p.m. to a home at 6457 Miller Road. The call initially came in as a call about two dogs fighting, according to sources, but when they arrived officers found more than 20 dogs – many injured or malnourished – and equipment often associated with illegal dog fighting”. (Dovy 2009). D. Robinson was released for $ 2’000 bond, while this case is investigated. These and many other facts support the idea that dogfighting is still popular in all states on the territory of the country.

Reasons for Practicing Animal Battles

Money and entertainment are considered to be two primary reasons for dogfigting. Most of the dog owners are involved in this type of business because of the high profit. The cost of pit bull is estimated to be $ 100. If young animal wins in the contest with old experienced dog, dog owner can get $ 2000. Moreover, most of these people consider their dogs as consumable and utilizable goods. According to CNN, “Despite the laws, dogfighting is big business. Goodwin, an expert on animal fighting with the Humane Society, said it’s impossible to estimate the amount of money involved, but the purse for a top-level professional fight could be $100,000.” (CNN 2007). For the gamers, dogfighting is a good source of money, because the bets usually vary from $ 50 up to $ 10’000 or more.

For some people animal fights are just entertaining. For instance, police officers have tracked a lot of cases when dog fighting was held on the streets. “There could be as many as 100,000 additional people involved in “streetfighting” – informal dogfighting, often involving young people in gangs”. (CNN 2007) Additionally, a lot of high school and college students are involved in this activity. Most of them say that this not only interesting, but also profitable. In fact, when it comes about child involvement in dogfighting, this activity should be restricted not just because of cruelty. Children become drug-addicted, as drugs are often distributed among them to increase excitement during the fight.

Status of Dogfighting

Another significant aspect of this issue is the legal status of dogfighting in United States and some other countries. This activity is considered to be illegal in all 50 states and the District of Columbia as well. “The sport of dogfighting, which is illegal in all 50 states, continues to be the sport of choice for thousands of American men.”(Evans et al.) Moreover, in 48 states, Puerto Rico, the District of Columbia, and the Virgin Islands dogfighting is considered to be a felony. If in Idaho dogfighting is a misdemeanor, in Wyoming it is categorized as high misdemeanor. Furthermore, possessing, owning or keeping of fighting dogs is classified as illegal activity, and it is included in statutes in 46 states and the District of Columbia. There are provisions within the dogfighting statutes that plainly prohibit attending dogfighting exhibition as a spectator in 48 states and the District of Columbia.

It is essential to be familiar with all the statutes that refer to animal cruelty and dogfighting in particular, in order for the defendant to be charged with the appropriate crime. In some cases courts denied the convictions where the defendant was accused of animal cruelty rather than more specifically of dogfighting. Moreover, in some cases a person may be charged for both violations of dogfighting status as well as the general animal welfare. For example, in the case of Silver vs. United States the court decided that animal cruelty cannot be lesser-included offence of dogfighting, thus the two charges did not merge. The Federal Animal Welfare Act is developed to prohibit the interstate transportation of dogs that are meant to participate in dogfights.

Reasons Why Dogfighting Should Be Banned

Dogfighting is now considered to be organized crime and is restricted by the law. Though this type of sport was popular a while ago, it should be banned for the following reasons. This activity is unethical and illegal on the territory of the United States. It violates the rights of the dogs as well as other animals involved in the fight as it brings physical harm to them. Fighting dogs are a treat for ordinary people because several cases are known when fighting dogs attacked children. “A recent tragic event, culminating in the death of a small child from the injuries sustained from a fighting dog, has highlighted, in the UK, the very nature of a fighting dog and how their aggression can be turned onto humans as well as other dogs.” (Clayson 2009) The brutality of such “contests” is obvious because murder of the animal stimulates further violence and aggression. Finally, this activity is simply unethical and immoral, as all living creatures deserve to live on the Earth.

Works Cited

Bacon, B. July 19, 2007. Law and Justice. Inside the culture of dogfighting. ABC News. April 26, 2009. <http:/ /people.howstuffworks.com/framed.htm?parent=dogfighting.htm&url=http://abcnews.go.com/TheLaw/story?id=3390721&page=1>.

Clayson, M. 2009. Ban Dog Fighting. April 27, 2009. <http:/ /ezinearticles.com/?Ban-Dog-Fighting&id=476977>. CNN. 2007. Dogfighting a booming business, experts say. April 26, 2009. <http:/ /people.howstuffworks.com/framed.htm?parent=dogfighting.htm&url=http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/07/18/dog.fighting/index.html>.

Dovy, C. 2009. Sheriff’s Deputy Arrested for Dog Fighting. April 27, 2009. <http:/ /www.styleweekly.com/ME2/dirmod.asp?sid=&nm=&type=Publishing&mod=Publications%3A%3AArticle&mid=8F3A7027421841978F18BE895F87F791&tier=4&id=2450E12BF71E46248B5696EC96749CCA>.

Evans, Rhonda, Gauthier, DeAnn, and Craig Forsyth. 1998. Dogfighting: Symbolic Expression and Validation of Masculinity. Sex Roles: A Journal of Research. 39.

Gibson, H. 2005. Dog Fighting Detailed Discussion. Michigan State University College of Law. April 27, 2009. <http:/ /www.animallaw.info/articles/ddusdogfighting.htm>.

Maske, M. 2007. Falcons’ Vick Indicted In Dogfighting Case. The Washington Post. April 27, 2009. < http://www.washingtonpost.com/wpdyn/content/article/2007/07/17/AR2007071701393.html>.

PetAbuse. 2006. Animal Abuse Case Details. Dog-fighting – 39 pit bulls seized Dayton, OH (US). April 27, 2009. <http:/ /www.pet-abuse.com/cases/9873/OH/US/>.

Dogfighting – 150 dogs seized Tucson, AZ. April 27, 2009. <http:/ /www.pet- abuse.com/cases/13181/AZ/US/>.

Vilavicencio, M. 2007. A History of Dogfighting. NRP News. April 27, 2009. <http:/ /www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=12108421>.