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Veterinary Ireland Journal Volume 64 Number 5
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hiStory
The history of dog fighting can be traced back as far as
the domestication of dogs, but it wasnt until the 1800s
that people began to breed dogs specifically for fighting.
The desired physical traits were, and still are, a powerful
animal built wide and low to the ground with a large
head. The desired behavioral traits are dogs that will
demonstrate gameness or game (terms used to describe
the animals ability and willingness to fight).
Though different breeds are used in dog fighting, the most
common breed associated is the American Pit Bull Terrier.
elemeNtS
Dog fighting can be broken down into levels (listed below
from lowest to highest):
Street level;
Hobbyist level;
Professional level/old timer; and,
Professional level/modern day.
Street level fighting happens sporadically and is
unplanned. Two people, or groups of people, walking their
dogs will decide to fight the dogs to determine which
animal has the most game. Often, there are small bets
Kathryn Destreza
Southeast Regional Director
Field Investigations and Response
Anti-cruelty group
ASPcA
1631 Elysian Fields Ave, #169, new orleans, LA 70117, US
abStract
Blood sports, as the name indicates, are activities that involve violence against animals for public entertainment. There are multiple
types of blood sports, from bull fighting, to animal baiting (an animal is chained or confined to a pit while dogs are set against it), to the
more popular styles of animal fighting, where animals of the same species are placed in a confined area and forced to engage in combat
for public entertainment and financial gain. This form of animal cruelty happens in every country, and among multiple species, but dog
fighting and cockfighting are by far the most prevalent and the most popular.
Though illegal in most countries, dog fighting continues as an underground activity that involves not only the crime of animal cruelty, but
often includes illegal gambling, drug trafficking, illegal firearms, prostitution and is often linked to illegal gangs. To effectively combat
animal fighting, there is an urgent need for collaboration between law enforcement, cruelty investigators, animal control entities and
especially the veterinary community.
dog fghting: a basic overview
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Veterinary Ireland Journal Volume 64 Number 5 282
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Veterinary Ireland Journal Volume 64 Number 5
involved and the status of the owner is increased if their
dog wins. This level is most associated with adolescents
and young adults, can be gang related and the fighting can
happen anywhere - in the street, on the sidewalk, in trunks
of cars, etc. These types of fights are over quickly which
make them difficult to prosecute. The animals can range
from poor condition to good condition as the owners do not
invest much money into them.
Hobbyist level fighting can be a planned fight between
two dogs but these types of fighters may also engage in
street fighting. This level of fighter may be trying to become
established as a professiona. They invest some money into
their animals but dog fighting is not their primary revenue
source. This level often includes people from various socio-
economic circles.
Professional level fighting is always a planned fight and
often large sums of money are wagered between the two
opponents. This level of fighter makes their living through
dog fighting and takes some care in the breeding of their
dogs.
Dog fighting involves more than just the fight itself; it is
an operation that includes breeding, selling, marketing,
training and medical care. Many fighters make their name
and living from the puppies that are produced from their
top fighting dogs. They market themselves on the internet,
in magazines and by word of mouth. Professional dog
fighters supply dogs across the country and internationally.
They often have over 10 dogs on their property. Dog
fighters often develop their own training techniques in an
attempt to find the best keep or training that creates a
total game dog.
who are the fiGhterS
One of the biggest misconceptions regarding dog fighting
is that those involved are criminals, or people that exist on
the boundaries of normal society, and this is one reason
why communities tend to overlook this crime. The reality is
that the people involved can be from all walks of life. The
crime is not gender specific - there are as many women
participating as men, and there is no specific age to this
crime - there are juvenile as well as elderly perpetrators.
Animal fighting is not present in just one race of people
or any one socio-economic group; the fighting hobbyist is
just as likely to be a white collar individual as a blue collar.
There have been teachers, lawyers, doctors, and even
veterinarians and veterinary nurses prosecuted for dog
fighting, among many others.
aNimalS aS bait
At any level of this type of organised cruelty there are
often more victims than just the dogs used in the pit. It
is common for fighters to utilise other dogs who are not
trained to fight as bait dogs. These dogs are victimised
by being faced off against a trained fighting dog, serving
a purpose to the dog fighter as a tool in training. Dog
fighters will keep one or more bait dogs on their property
as untrained sparring partners for their fighting dogs. Bait
dogs will receive minimum care from their owners and
often be malnourished and have old injuries that are poorly
healed. Scarring will be present not only on the head, neck,
chest and front legs like fighting dogs, but also on their
hind legs, thighs and mid-section.
Further, small animals such as cats, raccoons, rabbits, and
chickens are also used as bait in the training of fighting
dogs. These animals may be in traps or cages and tied in
front of the dogs on treadmills, jennies and other apparatus
to entice the dog to chase, and often become victims of
the dogs after they are done. Hides will also be used as
bait for the dogs.
the role of the VeteriNariaN commuNity
In the pit or fighting arena, the dogs sustain serious
injuries and excessive blood loss. Many fighters have
become experts in the emergency triage and medical
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Veterinary Ireland Journal Volume 64 Number 5 Veterinary Ireland Journal Volume 64 Number 5
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care of their dogs. If a dog is lucky enough to survive the
actual fight, and is worth something to its owner, the dog
will receive initial medical care from the owner. Animals
that have been used to fight will often show up in animal
shelters and emergency clinics, because fighters know
how rare it is that veterinarians will report them to law
enforcement. This has begun to change as more members
of the veterinary community have been able to recognise
the injuries and scarring for what they are evidence of
illegal animal fighting.
Veterinarians and veterinary nurses have an important
role in combating dog fighting and cockfighting. As law
enforcement becomes more and more active in pursuing
these offenders, there is a growing need to collect and
analyse all the evidence from a case. This evidence may
be in the form of training and fighting equipment, critical
care equipment and medications, as well as the animals
themselves.
It is critical for the veterinarian to have a well-rounded
understanding of all activities related to dog fighting
(breeding, training, and fighting) to properly recognise,
document and interpret evidence found at the scene and
on the animal. Having a trained veterinarian on scene to
assist investigators and law enforcement in collecting
and identifying the evidence is crucial to the case. The
veterinarian should be able to:
identify and age the wounds sustained by the animals
in an illegal dog fight;
kow what and how dog fighting paraphernalia is used;
know what the medications and critical care equipment
is used for; and,
know which medications are controlled substances
used for performance enhancement.
The veterinary community is being called upon more
often to provide testimony at trial of the injuries and
scarring present on the animals. Further, testimony of
the medical supplies and usage is also helpful not only to
law enforcement during the investigation and seizure, but
also to the court. Explaining steroid use and the long-term
effects, as well as the supplies used to treat shock, all
help the court to understand the totality of the evidence.
Fighting dogs will sustain injuries during their keep and
when being rolled (engaged in a practice fight) with
another dog as well as in the fighting pit. Veterinarians
will likely observe the fresh, healing and healed scars
associated with the biting, gripping and tearing from the
dogs teeth. Additionally, they may find other injuries
including broken bones (particularly the forelegs), damaged
muzzles, rips or tears to the tongue, ears or lips as well as
the cutting or filing (blunting) of the canines or all the teeth.
Investigators, prosecuters and the courts will also look
to the veterinarian to provide information about animal
behavior. Explaining the difference between normal dog
fights (i.e. fighting within the pecking order, or resource
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Veterinary Ireland Journal Volume 64 Number 5 284
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Veterinary Ireland Journal Volume 64 Number 5
1.BAIT DOGS ARE MOST COMMONLY USED
DURING:
a) The fght
b) Breeding
c) Never used
d) Training
2. THE LEVEL OF DOG FIGHTING MOST RELATED
TO GANG ACTIVITY IS:
a) Professional (modern day)
b) Hobbyist
c) Street level
d) None of the above
3. DOG FIGHTERS ARE NORMALLY WHICH TYPE
OF PEOPLE?
a) Irish
b) Non national
c) Criminals
d) None of the above
4. WHICH OF THE FOLLOWING IS NOT A RELATED
DOG FIGHTING ACTIVITY?
a) Breeding
b) Training
c) Weaning
d) Selling
CONTINUING EDUCATION: READER QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
A n s w e r s : 1 : d , 2 : a , 3 : d , 4 : c
guarding) and illegal dog fighting helps explain why the
injuries to dogs involved in illegal dog fights are so different
from those sustained during a normal altercation between
two non-fighting dogs. Though dogs do get into fights, it
is not normal for a dog to inflict serious injury to another
since one dog will submit once dominance is established.
Fighting dogs have been trained for gameness a drive
to continue to fight until they are stopped and will no
longer recognise the signs of submission and will ignore
submissive postures. Veterinarians can be incredibly
valuable in outlining and explaining those differences in
behavior to the prosecution.
As the veterinary community has embraced their role in
the fight against animal cruelty and blood sports, the
Gardai continue to rely on their expertise in the gathering,
processing and analysis of the totality of the evidence.
Their participation is paramount to creating solid cases
against the perpetrators of these crimes, and assuring that
justice is achieved for the animal victims.
Dog fighting is illegal in Ireland under the Cruelty to
Animals Act 1911.
If anyone has specific information about dog fighting
activities, they should contact their local Gardai.
VeteriNary irelaNd aNimal welfare
committee 2011
The Veterinary Ireland Animal Welfare Committee has
recently been reconstituted and is working to provide
policies, guidelines and expert opinion on all manner
of animal welfare topics. Should any Veterinary Ireland
members have experience of treating the type of injuries
described in this article or assisting the Irish Authorities
in investigations into such types of animal cruelty,
(or any other aspects of animal welfare in Ireland),
then please contact the Animal Welfare Committee in
confidence through Veterinary Ireland HQ (01 457 7976 or
HQ@vetireland.ie). This type of information will be useful in
formulating opinion and policies within Veterinary Ireland.
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Copyright of Irish Veterinary Journal is the property of IFP Media, Ltd. and its content may not be copied or
emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission.
However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use.
Copyright of Veterinary Ireland Journal is the property of IFP Media, Ltd. and its content may not be copied or
emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission.
However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use.