Dogfighting spectators should be punished, too
November 19th, 2008 by CatIt's hard to believe that dogfighting even exists.
But what's even harder to believe is that being a spectator at a dog fight is totally and completely legal in Hawai'i, according to the Humane Society of the United States.
In fact, we're the only state where watching a dog fight is legal.
What's up with that?
Dogfighting and cockfighting are illegal everywhere, but state animal fighting laws differ from state to state. Some states don't ban keeping or selling fighting animals. (In Nevada it's actually legal to own or possess dogs for fighting purposes.) And in other states, watching or attending dog fights is considered a misdemeanor, not a felony.
It's hard to believe that dogfighting — or any kind of animal-fighting, really — still exists, even if these illegal activities are held in basements and fallow fields across the country.
The Chicago Tribune ran a story yesterday about dogfighting in its city, painting a picture of what it's like at these fights:
The Englewood basement was cramped, chaotic. Fifty people — parents, kids, a pregnant woman — huddled around a bloody 10-foot-by-10-foot ring, cheering two pit bulls trained to kill.
Barbaric to most, this medieval blood sport remains a routine source of shameless entertainment in large swaths of the city.
"It's pretty much like going to see a Muhammad Ali or a Mike Tyson fight," said Sean Moore, a former dog fighter from Chicago. "That's what people think when they see pit bulls in our neighborhood. That's why people are willing to pay and come see it."
Cook County sheriff's police busted a South Side dogfight over the weekend, and news of the 50-person crowd and descriptions of the brutalized animals shook many Chicagoans. But most don't realize that dogfighting remains commonplace in the city, seemingly resistant to the laws that prohibit it, a culturally ingrained phenomenon that refuses to go away.
I can't imagine why anyone would think dogfighting is OK. The brutality, the cruelty, the inhumane treatment of animals — how can this go on?
Tags: animal cruelty, Chicago Tribune, cockfighting, dogfighting, dogs, hawaii, Humane Society of the United States, laws, toth
November 19th, 2008 at 5:17 am
and they gamble and make big bets on the dogs.Its just shameful.even after the mike vick,or that petite girl in san francisco who got mauled to death,people dont listen or learn.How can that possibly be considered entertainment in todays society.?we just have to realize that there are people out there who are no damn good..and cant control themselves.This isnt medevil times when they threw christians to the lions.
November 19th, 2008 at 6:31 am
CAT,
What is worse is when these trained dogs or those with such fighting bloodlines get loose and maul and main a small child! There are just too many instances of these situations...primarily caused by owners who desire these characteristics in their dogs.
November 19th, 2008 at 6:47 am
Dogfighting and cockfighting is "entertainment" when the spectators don't feel any of the pain and cruelty that the animals endure. When someone takes them in the back, and treats them the same, then and only then will they think twice about it.
November 19th, 2008 at 6:56 am
Just to be off topic yet again, speaking of spectators to a crime... What about a situation where a journalist has a source who revealed a crime to him/her and whose identification would help convict someone but does not cooperate with the police due to confidentiality. Is that journalist, in a sense, a spectator to a crime and beholden to the same reasoning in the above post? Not accusing, just wondering if the spectator thing should be applied evenly across all fields.
And to be clear, I don't condone dogfighting. It's despicable.
November 19th, 2008 at 7:02 am
my comment is still awaiting moderation.whatever that means
November 19th, 2008 at 7:09 am
But a source probably wouldnt reveal any information to a journalist without the confidentially promise in place. plea deals are made all the time.information is also sealed in courtrooms. theres all kinds of stuff we the people dont know because its sealed or inadmissable.Whats truly pathetic ,is an ordinary witness to a crime not coming forward.People just turning away,etc.
November 19th, 2008 at 7:09 am
In the past week, I saw an article on Michael Vick's fall from glory due to his conviction for dog fighting:
http://www.google.com/hostednews/canadianpress/article/ALeqM5jz-M0xYsRhIWxo7aGQqfTx4-ksQQ
November 19th, 2008 at 7:31 am
That's sick!!!!! spectators should be arrested too...
November 19th, 2008 at 7:42 am
I definitely agree! If dog owners who have animals that attack people are charged with a felony, why can't dog fighters be charged with a felony? Animals may not be human, but they have lives and feelings too!
November 19th, 2008 at 7:57 am
If you arrested spectators at a Bullfight, you'd be rounding up about five to ten thousand, a lot of them tourists from the US who paid extra to be on the sunny side of the ring to watch from five to eight bulls get dispatched by a sword to the heart through neck muscles that had been turned into hamburger by repeated stabs from the picadors. The bull can't even hold his head up with them severed, so the matador gets a good shot. Everybody yells "Ole", then goes off for dinner and Margaritas.
November 19th, 2008 at 8:39 am
Cat,
I think you need to add to your topic, that this particular part of the city where the dogfighting occurrred (ing) is also the same part of the city where people are shot on a daily basis, and the same area responsible for our murder rates are so high. My point is how can you expect people to have respect for animals, when they have no respect for human life.
In regards to any animal fighting, I think it is all disgusting and should be banned.
November 19th, 2008 at 8:44 am
I agree. I think the spectators need to be arrested. If no one came to watch or bet there would be no more dog fighting. I think dog fighting is a horrible thing.
November 19th, 2008 at 8:45 am
I think that mixed martial arts and boxing is much worse.
November 19th, 2008 at 8:52 am
what do you say to those who calim that fighting animals are part of there cultue?
side note: what ever happened to those maintenance workers who stole, killed, cooked and ate a dog left at a golf course? was it animal cruelty or just theft? samething with that guy who killed someone pet bore?
im afraid that we are living in a more boring and sanitized life. something has to be said about the old ways and how we all came from them and if they are bad then are we bad?
November 19th, 2008 at 9:39 am
Participants and spectators - they're all sick puppies - no pun intended!
I agree with Chicago Cuz - no regard for human life = no regard for animal life.
November 19th, 2008 at 9:53 am
This just grosses me out. The idea that many of these dogs are trained to fight is crazy. I remember when I lived in Florida this lady was on the radio pleading for the return of her pit bull, because someone stole her. The owner was afraid her pit would be used in a dog fight...probably as the weaker, training dog or something. I felt sooo bad... I had never thought about something like that happening! It's bad enuff knowing someone stole your dog, but that it would basically get killed, cuz they are thrown into a dogfight???
Then there are those stories like mentioned above, where those same dogs get out and kill people because of the aggresion they were taught. Dogfighting is just so wrong. I'm glad Vick got caught, and that some of his dogs were "reformed" and sent to good homes.
November 19th, 2008 at 11:58 am
The Chicago Cousin writes a strong hint to why this type of activity occurs. The spectators of this type of viciousness do NOT come from a cross-section of society like their backers claim.
November 19th, 2008 at 12:26 pm
We have MMA (UFC, ect) events where two grown men are trained to fight and millions of people pay to watch. What is the difference?
November 19th, 2008 at 12:31 pm
Gotta agree with frankie . . . 'swhy he's brilliant. And if I may add, journalist shield laws shouldn't apply in cases, say, when a news person interviews Osama bin Laden (wanted criminal).
I don't condone dog fighting, either. Just otherworldly.
November 19th, 2008 at 1:16 pm
I don't know if I'd cast dogfighting/cockfighting in the same boat as MMA. Legitimate and sanctioned MMA leagues are watched and policed by athletic commissions, have physicians present at the fights and are subject to drug testing. Of course, the original UFC, which was not policed and everything was legal (if you don't believe me, youtube "Joe Son groin punch" YOWZA!) was a form of human cockfighting and I'm glad Dana White and his posse reformed it.
What about Judo? When Masahiko Kimura (judo) faced off with Helio Gracie (jujutsu) he broke his arm. I don't think elders in Japan would like it if the US tried to ban Judo from international competition.
If you consider the past two decades, major (meaning not backyard) MMA leagues (UFC, WEC, Shooto, EliteXC, Icon, Shooto, DREAM, KOTC, IFL, etc.) have had less deaths than NASCAR and boxing and UFC, the 500 lbs. gorilla of MMA, has had NONE. If we were to outlaw MMA we'd have to do the same with NASCAR, and you're going to wake up one day and see the million mullet march in DC protesting the ban.
BJ PENN for the win over GSP at UFC 94. IMUA!
November 19th, 2008 at 1:55 pm
Hello! Dogs don't choose to fight! Men do!
November 19th, 2008 at 3:29 pm
Yes Dogfighting is terrible,but threatening people with jailtime wont stop anything.Do Bank robbers wonder how much time their going to get before they rob a bank?!Even if they went,do you think that would REALLY stop them,no!Because most people dont assume their going to get caught!Ask Bill Clinton!Wanna know how to scare people,take away their license or Fine them Majorly!Everyone thinks jail is the answer,but have NO clue what it creates the individual to become.A BETTER CRIMINAL!Do your research instead of relying on fear based motives.Jail creates MORE problems.The whole SOCIETY needs a social makeover to really understand the real ROOT of all problems.
November 19th, 2008 at 4:32 pm
Agree that it's bad to see dogs/chicken fight. But I think this MMA fighting is worse. Humans, who supposedly have intelligence levels above a dog or rooster, in cages...punching, kicking, submission holds, bloodied, etc...no art/culture attached...now that's barbarian.
November 19th, 2008 at 5:59 pm
I don't mind dog fighting as long as they wear 4 oz gloves and adhere to the Marquess of Queensberry rules.
November 19th, 2008 at 7:20 pm
Don't even get me started...
November 20th, 2008 at 7:10 pm
Why do people watch dogfights?
The same reason why people watch tackle football, car races or human fights!
While we may argue over the ethics of watching animals fight, the politically incorrect truth is people love to watch violence!
By the way, the last UH game of this season? Why the hype! It's got nothing to do with who can throw the ball better! It's because the last time UH played Cincinnati, there was a fight! I bet you 1/2 the audience at the next UH-Cincinatti game will be there hoping a fight will happen again!
But then again, none of those involved in that fight are on the team anymore, but people are still expecting!
PS:I'm not intending to glorify violence, I'm just explaining people's mindsets on witnessing violence
November 23rd, 2008 at 1:33 pm
Animal fighting is cruel and I understand being so against animal cruelty that you want to punish even the spectators, but I just have a hard time justifying punishing them when they didn't do anything directly. Say there aren't even betting on the match, which means they aren't financially supporting the activity, then what is their crime exactly?