Illegal Dog Fights
... There are many different kinds of animal abuse, but one form of abuse that is on the rise is illegal dog fighting. Dog fighting is a practice in which two dogs, usually of a Pit Bull breed, are put into an enclosed area for the purpose of attacking and quite frequently, killing each other. On average, fights last about one hour, but sometimes last two hours or longer; the fight does not end until one of the dogs is no longer able or willing to continue fighting. Injuries from dog fights are severe, often fatal. A dog that is not killed in a fight may still die of blood loss, shock, infections, or exhaustion after the fight has ended. ... Some stolen animals are used in dog fighting. ... Communities that hold dog fights are degraded. Dog fighting promotes crime, such as cruelty to an animal, violence to others, theft, and gambling. ... Dog fighting decreases the livability of neighborhoods because often times, illegal kennels are established to breed, train, and house fighting dogs (ACS, 2003).