Dog Fighting in a Modern World - Research Paper Example

DOG FIGHTING Although completely barred in the United States, the menacing dissident crime known as dog fighting still remains to be highly popular among the masses. This blood sport actually involves forcing dogs to fight each other one on one, and usually serves the purpose of amusing its spectators. Along with that, it has always remained a major attraction for illegal gamblers and drug traffickers, and has thus, contributed largely in raising the crime – rate of the society. Dog fights are generally violent and gruesome, where the dogs are made to wrestle with each others like savages, biting, tearing and ripping at each other’s flesh and bones, until one of them gets killed or fatally wounded. The ones that survive are also in a pathetic condition most of the time and hence, beaten or tortured to death by their owners, if they do not have any particular importance for them (Memphis, 2010). Historically, animal fighting has typically been connected to the United Kingdom, whose law and enforcement involved the dog against bull fights. "The baiting of the bear, and cockfights, are no meet [not good] recreations. The baiting of the bull hath its use, and therefore it is commanded by civil authority; and so have not these. (Perkins, 1632)" Over the years, dog fighting has remained to be a tremendous propaganda in the society. The ones in favor of the sport have always tried to paint an innocent, naïve picture of it, time and again justifying themselves on the basis of property rights. In contrast, humane groups and animal rights organizations condemn this sport and consider it as the worst sport that involves animal abuse. This animal abuse not only affects the dogs at the specific time but it rather affects them their whole life. Many among us are dog lovers and appreciate them as man’s best friend and great companions in our other activities. For them, it is particularly difficult to accept this bitter reality that their very best friend is being misused as ‘gambling tools’ for earning profit, as an arsenal to raise their social status and fulfill their desire to have control over something bigger and stronger than them. Dogs that are kept and raised for this sport are poor creatures, who have to suffer pain and abuse for most of their lives, and are kept deprived of the basic necessities of life such as shelter, food and water. They spend their entire lives bounded in chains and imprisoned in cages, with little contact with the outer world except during training and fighting sessions. Training sessions majorly involve fighting and killing of innocent stolen pets used as bait and are exercised to develop the fighting and survival skills. Drugging and feeding gunpowder is also done to make dogs more aggressive. Moreover, with the growing popularity of this criminal sport, methodical desensitization has started in our society, especially in the youth and children. This is because they are forced to grow up in a world where such acts of violence are regarded as a ‘norm’. The continuous exposure of the young, immature minds of the children is what eventually leads to the growth of aggression, hostility and sadism, and thus crime rate in the community. Even the ten year olds now are able to conduct this sport in their neighborhoods (Hageman, 2004). “You want to find the perfect way to desensitize a kid so he’ll kill that anonymous gangbanger from three blocks over? Give him a puppy and let him raise it. Then let him kill it. I guarantee that will desensitize that kid. (Magee, 1996)” Previously, little has been done to thwart the efforts of the society to promote dog fighting as lack of evidence usually made it difficult for the law enforcement bodies to take charges. Moreover, the law enforcement and the animal welfare and rights organizations both remained careless over what needed to be done and rather relied on the other to find a solution. Fortunately, both have now realized that one cannot work effectively without the other and hence, several strict measures have been taken against dog fighters. Currently, in the legislatures of all the states, dog-fighting has been specifically mentioned in them as illegal. Not only is it classified as animal cruelty, but it is also a severe violation to the anti-cruelty statutes.  The unique legal status of dog-fighting clearly portrays its very barbaric nature. Dog-fighting laws exist independently of all the anti-cruelty legislations in all fifty states, and carry a much strict and severe penalty, relative to other laws. Keeping, possessing or training canine species for fighting is also illegal along with coordinating or promoting such an event. Even attending a dog fight is an alleged crime. All the statutes state that a person who intentionally commits or engages in an event of dog-fighting can be taken in custody. Even after the implication of these strict laws, the law enforcing agencies have been unsuccessful to put a stop to dog-fighting once and for all. Because unfortunately, these laws are only restricted to posh areas and business centers and hold no significance whatsoever, in the urban communities where gamblers and dog-fight trainers are still bringing mockery on the face of law. The despicable, so called sport of ‘dog-fighting’ will continue to persist in the presence of men who seek to gain socio-economic benefits regardless of the laws of the society. Many artists, such as author Richard Stratton (1976), have attempted to paint a ‘squeaky clean’ image of this nuisance. However, when the reality of this brutal sport comes to light, the truth is far more eye-opening. At the end of the day, it is our responsibility as concerned citizens and as a part of humanity, to educate our younger generation, and fellow society members about this bloody ‘sport’ and put all our efforts to bring this monstrosity to an end. References: Perkins, W. (1632). The whole treatise of the cases of conscience: Distinguished into three bookes. London: Printed by John Legatt, and are to be sold by Simon Waterson. Animal cruelty: Cow tipping, cockfight, veal, zoophilia, stop Huntingdon animal cruelty, factory farming, bullfighting, cattle mutilation, dog fighting in the United States, Foie Gras controversy, cruelty to animals, animal trapping, animal treatment in rodeo. (2010). Memphis, Tenn: Books, LLC. Magee, R. Pit Bull Bait-The Short Sad Life of Dancer (AKA Dozier), YO! Youth Outlook Vol. 5, No. 2 March/April 1996 (a personal account of a dog lost to the underworld of dog-fighting and used as bait). Hageman, W. Spring Brings Rise in Dogfights Staged by Kids for Fun, Chicago Tribune, May 11, 2004. Stratton, R. F. (1976). This is the American pit bull terrier. Neptune City, N.J: T.F.H. Publications. Read More