The Enduring Cruelty of Dog Fighting: A Glimpse into the Underground World
Dog fighting, a brutal and illegal practice, continues to plague communities across the United States, despite increased awareness and law enforcement efforts. Recent incidents in New Jersey and Georgia offer stark reminders of the pervasive nature of this underground world, where animals are forced to fight for entertainment and profit.
Last week, maintenance workers in New Jersey stumbled upon a grim scene: four dead dogs discarded on the side of a highway. Police determined their injuries were consistent with the brutal realities of dog fighting. Simultaneously, in Georgia, 14 men pleaded guilty to federal charges related to their involvement in a large-scale dog fighting event. The authorities rescued 27 dogs from the property, many bearing fresh wounds, with one succumbing to its injuries shortly after rescue. The men, ranging in age from 35 to 67, had traveled across state lines to participate in the secret tournament, highlighting the organized nature of these events.
These cases shed light on the enduring problem of dog fighting, an issue that gained international notoriety in 2007 when NFL star Michael Vick was convicted for his role in a dog fighting ring. Despite the significant media attention and legal repercussions that followed, the practice persists nearly two decades later. Jessica Rock, Georgia’s leading prosecutor for animal crimes, emphasizes that dog fighting remains far more prevalent than most people realize. She recently prosecuted Vincent Lemark Burrell, who received a 475-year prison sentence, the longest ever imposed for a dog fighting case.
Federal law defines dog fighting as an animal blood sport where dogs are forced to fight one another for entertainment or profit. Despite being a felony crime in all 50 states, the Humane Society estimates that over 40,000 individuals in the U.S. participate in this illegal activity. It is also a lucrative business, with fight purses sometimes reaching $100,000.
Experts reveal that dog fights take place in a variety of locations, from the basements and alleyways of major cities to barns in rural areas. Participants are equally diverse, including individuals with extensive criminal records, as well as those from seemingly respectable backgrounds such as teachers, school administrators, and even a former Pentagon official. As Rock stated, "There’s a whole intricate, underground world that just a lot of the general public is not aware of."
The history of dog fighting in the U.S. dates back to the 1750s. After the Civil War, professional pits where animals were brought to fight emerged in great numbers, according to a Department of Justice report. By the mid-20th century, states began enacting laws banning dog fighting, but enforcement was often weak, allowing the practice to grow as it retreated into the shadows.
The Vick case in 2007 brought widespread attention to large-scale dog fighting rings. That same year, President George W. Bush signed the Animal Fighting Prohibition Enforcement Act, which made trafficking animals for dog fighting a felony. While law enforcement efforts have intensified, the internet has provided new avenues for those involved to communicate and coordinate. Breeders and dog fighting enthusiasts use platforms like Facebook, Telegram, and WhatsApp to schedule fights and exchange tips on how to make dogs more aggressive or get them into fighting shape.
Virginia Maxwell, a forensic science professor at the University of New Haven who leads instructions on animal cruelty investigations, explains that "the internet has revolutionized it." Some dog fighters can now watch the battles through live video streams, eliminating the need to be physically present.
Despite these challenges, investigators at the local, state, and federal levels have made significant progress. Rock attributes this to increased awareness among law enforcement and the public about the signs of dog fighting. "The more people we have to work the cases, the more criminal cases you see," she says, emphasizing the widespread nature of the practice and the ongoing effort to combat it.
The training methods used to prepare dogs for fighting are brutal. Dogs are often kept tied up with heavy logging chains, within sight of other dogs but unable to reach them. They are frequently underfed and left exposed to the elements with minimal shelter, such as small wooden boxes or overturned barrels. Rock describes the conditions as "torture," noting that the dogs remain chained their entire lives, except when they are fighting or being bred.
Dog fights can last from one to three hours, continuing until the dogs are too exhausted to continue or one of them dies. Dogs that win three fights are called "Champions," while those who win five, a rare feat, are known as "Grand Champions." Owners capitalize on the "bloodline" of winning dogs by breeding them and selling the offspring for thousands of dollars. Dogs that lose or are deemed unaggressive are often killed in cruel ways, including electrocution, hanging, or beatings. They may also be used as "bait" for training other dogs, sometimes with their teeth removed to prevent them from fighting back.
After a dog fighting ring is dismantled, the rescued animals are evaluated and sent to shelters and rescue facilities. In severe cases, dogs may need to be euthanized due to severe injuries or malnourishment. Some are too aggressive to be safely released. However, many rescued dogs, particularly younger ones, can be rehabilitated. Rock notes that "when we go and we take these dogs off these chains, and we get them into a new environment and they’re totally different dogs. It’s like they realize they’ve been saved, and they say, ‘OK, I’m not living that life anymore. I can be a dog now, right?’"
Ana Banana, a 3-year-old pit bull mix, is a testament to the resilience of these animals. She was rescued from a dog fighting operation and is now undergoing rehabilitation. Jen Deane, a dog behavior expert, took Ana to a Lowes store to help her acclimate to crowds after a lifetime of isolation. "I wanted to see how she’d do in the real world, and she did amazing," Deane said. "Everybody wanted to pet her."
Deane helps dogs rescued from fighting rings adjust to normal life. Many are initially "terrified" of being indoors, shuttering at thresholds and cowering at the sound of appliances. However, with time and patience, they begin to trust and settle into their new, safe environment.
Despite their capacity for rehabilitation, rescued dogs often face stigma. Deane laments that "a lot of times when people find out a dog came from a dog fighting case, they say ‘We don’t want to have anything to do with them.’ It’s sad because they’re making a generalization instead of meeting the individual dog. When they do, they fall in love."
Julie Castle, CEO of Best Friends Animal Society, emphasizes that awareness and acceptance have improved since the Vick case. More people now recognize the potential of these animals to thrive in loving homes. "They’re innocent creatures that end up in this remarkably cruel circumstance. They are not bred bad."
The case against Burrell began with a tip from an Amazon delivery driver who was concerned by the sight of numerous dogs chained to fence posts. Investigators discovered 107 dogs in horrifying conditions, many starving and chained to metal stakes and car axles. Some dogs had their teeth forcibly removed. Rock and other experts emphasize that dogs chained up and intentionally kept away from each other are a common sign of dog fighting. Maxwell has her students search backyards on Google Earth for these "dog yards," where the signs are often visible from above.
Other indicators of dog fighting include physical signs of abuse, such as scarring on a dog’s face or legs, lacerations, or untreated injuries. Rock and Maxwell advise people to report concerns to the police rather than intervening themselves. The Humane Society also has a tip line (1-877-TIP-HSUS) offering rewards of up to $5,000 for information leading to a conviction.
Castle encourages people to donate to local rescue groups or adopt a dog, whether it was rescued from a fighting ring or not. "By adopting a dog that’s available and ready to go to a loving home, you create space for your local shelters," she says. "Then they can take in these animals that are going to need a little extra attention, training, and love." By increasing education, awareness and support, communities can work towards eradicating dog fighting and providing a better future for these innocent victims.
