Dogfighting is a felony offense in all 50 states and it is a felony offense under federal law as well. Unfortunately, being a spectator at a dog fight is often a misdemeanour with mild consequences.

The injuries sustained by fighting dogs are often severe, causing untold suffering and misery. In many cases, dogs are sustaining injuries to their head, ears, front legs, and chest. Injured dogs are killed to avoid any trip to a veterinarian.

The definition of dog fighting by Atkinson (2008) is: "an act of combat between two dogs for the entertainment and financial profit of spectators".

Spectators are involved in the organised crime networks that facilitate cruel dogfighting. In fact, spectators provide the majority of the profit associated with dogfighting.

We must ensure that spectators are taken out from the dogfighting ring. We are calling on the Federal Government to make it a felony offense under federal law to be a spectator at a dogfight.