Dog fighting

Dog fighting is an age-old sport used for entertainment. It is known as a rural pastime in some parts of the world. There are recorded incidents of dog fighting rings stealing pet dogs for dogfight training exercises in the US. Dog fighting is the pitting of two specifically bred and conditioned dogs to fight each other in a pit.
Dogs fight with all their strength, while spectators scream and place bets, egging the dogs on. The dogs literally bite and rip the flesh off of one another. When one of the dogs is no longer able to continue, the dogfight ends. Dogfights generally average an hour in length and may go on for more than two hours. Hence, it is appropriately called a blood sport.

The Dog fighting pit: The dog-fighting pit is the area where the dogs actually fight. Generally, it’s a square area with plywood walls on all sides. The size of a dog-fighting pit may differ according to the location. These dogs have been specially bred for strength, physical features and mental attributes that make them better fighting dogs. Although dog fighting has existed in many cultures, in recent times it has been most associated with the British Empire. And dog fighting as a pastime peaked in its popularity during the sixteenth century. In Britain, war dogs were used in battles during the Roman reign. Later, they were used for dog fighting contests in amphitheatres. Dog fighting has been a very popular amusement in Britain for a long time. Thereafter, the Cruelty to Animals Act, 1835, banned dog fighting, bull fighting, cock fighting etc.

The Dog fighting video: In many countries, possessing and viewing dog-fighting videos and pictures is banned. But people have illegal access to dog fighting video films in many regions. Private stud farms and turf clubs conduct dog fighting as an additional stream of revenue. Video clips and photos of such events are sold in the gray market.

The Pit Bull: Pit bulls are especially raised for dog fighting. Pit bulls are more aggressive and considered the best breed for dog fighting, thanks to its genetics. Although bred to be aggressive towards other animals, they make loyal and obedient companions to their human masters.

Underground dog fighting: In the US, gangs largely practice dog fighting. This underground dog-fighting environment has been captured in the Mexican movie ‘Amores Peros’. Though dog fighting is illegal in many countries, it still exists across the globe. Many scholars believe that human migrations, gifts between royal families, the development of trade, as well as military campaigns facilitated the spread of fighting dog breeds. Pit dogs are a healthy breed and can easily live for up to ten to fifteen years. The Kamakura period saw the emergence of dog fighting in Japan. The Japanese samurais considered it a way to retain their aggressive edge during peaceful times. However, dog fighting in Japan does not have strong links with gambling. Recently, after the fall of the Taliban, dog fighting has made a big comeback in Afghanistan. These days, animal rights activists, and other ordinary people who feel that this sport is cruel and inhumane, are coming forward to express their anger against dog fighting. One can find many websites that are trying to spread awareness worldwide against dog fighting.