When Star Quarterback Michael Vick pleaded guilty to dogfighting in 2007, it brought the underground world of dogfighting into the spotlight. A world that could be considered the worst type of animal cruelty on our planet today. In Vick's dog fighting ring, over 70 dogs, mostly pitbulls, were born and raised with only one task, to fight to their deaths. 

 “For pro athletes, it’s not about the money. Instead of boxers just beating upon each other, they want to see it go to the death, and with dogs they can let it go to that. To them, dogs are expendable,” New york animal control officer Kleinfelder after Michael Vik was charged with multiple charges of animal abuse.

Now, 18 years later, nearly 200 pit bulls are seized in the biggest U.S dog fighting seizure in history.

Despite law enforcement and animal organizations efforts, Dogfighting is still a massive issue in the USA and it shows no signs of slowing down. According to Aspca, there are tens of thousands of people involved in dogfighting in the Usa.  Drastic actions need to be taken if people who want dog fighting to end are really serious about it.

 Dogfighting is when dogs are raised, trained and forced to fight in a pit against one another. The dogs spend their entire lives on heavy chains, being trained to fight. They are often given drugs and steroids to promote muscle growth and increase their aggressiveness. Dogs who lose fights either die during the fight, succumb to their injuries after it, or are put down by their owners. Usually, the way of death can be brutal, as in the dogs could be hanged or electrocuted to death. Other things that make dogfighting such an issue is the use of bait animals. Bait animals are typically tied to a post with their snouts taped shut so they can`t fight back, while fight dogs are set upon them, sometimes tearing them apart. A lot of different animals are used in this act.

 Dogfighting is something that has been happening for thousands of years in human history, yet it's only in the past hundred years that we started to realize that this maybe isn`t ok. Ancient romans It shows the dark, cruel desire of humans that crave this sick, bloody form of entertainment with no compassion for the animals that they are forcing to fight to the death.

 As a person with a deep care for animals this underground sport needs to be stopped, once and for all.

 I love my dog and animals and couldn't even think about seeing my dog being forced to fight in a pit against another dog for entertainment.

 I care alot about animals and when I learned about this issue I was completely stunned. I didn't even know something like this was happening, as it doesn't get any attention. This issue must be given more attention and people should be informed and know that they can be able to support this cause. There are many people who love animals like I do and I know would show support for this issue if the public were more informed. Older generations know more about it now then the younger generations, as it was getting more attention in the past but has slowly fallen out of the public eye.

 Now, What can you do to Help?

 

Support stronger laws against dogfighting: This is and the only way dogfighting will ever be able to end, as if the punishments are too much then people will become more weary of doing it. The fines are too little, and the people who dogfight just soak them up as a business expense.

Contact your local media and alert them to the cruelty and dangers of dogfighting: Like I already said, it's important that we educate people on dogfighting. We need people to be informed about dogfighting if we want change to happen.

Keep an eye out for signs of dogfighting in your area: look for dogs with multiple scars, especially on the face, chest, legs and mangled ears. Dogs used for fights could also have their tails cut off so they can't communicate with other dogs. Other signs could be seeing dogs chained up, especially when its dogs chained up inches apart. Dog treadmills and spring poles are also used by dogfighters to train them. Lastly if there is other criminal or unusual activity in an area with alot of dogs or even one dog chained up then there is a chance the dog could be being used to fight, as dogfighters are often doing other illegal things.

Protect your animals: dogfighters have been reported to kidnap peoples dogs and other animals to use them as bait animals. It's important that you never leave your animals outside without supervision.

Educate others about dogfighting: People need to know about dogfighting if we hope to ever stop it. Educating people about dogfighting and the outcomes for the dogs that are forced to fight will help build a force against the cause and cause change to happen.

 

 Individually, these are the things that each person can do on their own, but change won't happen unless we work together to make an impact. Individually, we are capable of helping save dogs nearby us and spreading awareness, but together we can help fully end dogfighting. Together the ways we can end it are:

Donate to animal organizations that stand against animal cruelty:  Animal organizations such as the ASPCA, PETA or the Humane World for animals. They all tackle animal cruelty in their own way and you can research and see which one you want to support. Aspca works to keep animals in loving homes by protecting animals from harmful situations. Peta has uncompromising stands on animal rights and isnt afraid to do the controversial thing if it means animals will be saved. The humane world for animals has been a leader of the animal protection movement, tackling the root causes of animal cruelty  

 

Spread the word online: together, we can band together to spread the word online. Anyone is capable of making a difference. You can make your voice heard by making your own petition and educating others. I am just one voice of millions out there that can advocate for dogfighting and show support against animal cruelty.

Sign this Petition, showing your support that the punishments against dogfighting should be raised severely: personally, in my opinion, the only way that dogfighting will ever be able to end is if the punishments are raised severely enough to not make it worthwhile. Not just on fighting dogs, but on illegally fighting any animal. If it's just dogs then people will find other animals to abuse and force to fight, so it must be all animals. Extending the prison sentences and the fines are the only way to make these sick people who crave this form of entertainment listen.

By signing this petition, you are showing your support against dogfighting and animal cruelty in general. 

You're making your voice heard.

You're seeing the issue and acting on it.

By signing this petition and sharing it, we can make a difference together.