Dogfighting – How to Report It

Dogfighting is illegal—it is a felony offense in all 50 U.S. states. Animal fighting has been illegal in the U.S. since 1867. But despite dogfighting being a felony, it still happens in many parts of the country. It is reported in urban, suburban and rural settings in all regions of the United States, but is particularly prevalent in states with weaker penalties for dogfighting and animal cruelty, especially in the southern states of Kentucky, Iowa, New Mexico, Mississippi, Alabama, and Louisiana.

The public may not be aware that dogfighting is happening in their own neighborhood. It’s important to recognize the signs of dog fighting, and report it—to protect the dog(s), to prevent further cruelty and abuse of dogs, and to protect your neighborhood from vice, crime and corruption.

The Cruelty of Dogfighting

Dogfighting is one the most heinous forms of animal cruelty and abuse imaginable. It involves the intentional and ultimate betrayal of loving domestic animals and the ultimate betrayal of dogs who don’t want to fight. It involves careless and reckless breeding; the caging, chaining and confining of dogs in isolation and cruel environments; the withholding of affection, attention, kindness or socialization for the dog; the use of brutalizing training techniques including the use of drugs and steroids to condition the dog; and it involves the maiming of the dog’s body parts by cropping their ears and docking their tail to limit areas that can be injured. Dog fighters are horrifically cruel, mean, abusive, aggressive and violent toward these dogs—they force dogs to fight that don’t want to fight (it’s entirely unnatural for these dogs to fight) and ignore the dog’s serious and often fatal injuries and wounds from fighting. Dog fighters leave their dogs for dead or brutally kill them to dispose of their body. Many dogs suffer and die from their injuries after the fight, and losing dogs are often brutally executed and killed by these psychopaths. It is the ultimate animal cruelty and betrayal done to loving animals.

Training can involve ongoing cruelty and neglect by forcing dogs to wear extremely heavy chains and run on treadmills; keeping dogs outside in extreme elements and weather; starving dogs to make them more aggressive; confining females to “rape boxes” for breeding; and feeding dogs narcotics so they won’t feel pain during fighting. “Baiting” is used to train dogs to become more vicious by using small dogs and cats from shelters or the kittens and cats from “free to good home” ads.

Also, it’s important to know that dogfighting is often associated with other forms of criminal and illegal activity including possession of illegal drugs, illegal firearms, illegal gambling, men committing probation violations, money laundering, conspiracy, assault and even homicide can and do occur at dog fights. And people and children can be harmed because of criminal activity among their neighbors and if vicious dogs get loose.

Why Dogfighting?

Dog fighting is illegal nationwide, so dog fighters’ goal is to make money illicitly behind closed doors. And unfortunately for some, it can be about the sadistic enjoyment of a brutal, cruel spectacle. Learn how to recognize the signs of dogfighting.

Learn how to recognize the signs of dogfighting. Learn how to fight this cruelty to animals and to break the chain of violence.

Recognize the Signs of Dogfighting

If you suspect dogfighting in your community, witness the signs of dogfighting, hear of people involved in dogfighting, or see a dog with scars from dogfighting – call the police, local authorities, and animal control immediately. If you witness any of these signs, contact your police and file a report. Don’t wait. Stop the cycle of violence to animals, to children, to communities. Read more about how to spot dogfighting and what to do, here.

Signs of Dogfighting:

Dogs on heavy chains, tethered to a tire axle, dog house or barrel.
Dogs with multiple scars, severe bruising, deep puncture wounds, broken bones, or possibly have lips or ears ripped off, or ears and tails cropped off.
Dogs chained inches or several feet apart from each other.
Dogs chained or penned in a secluded or isolated area that are being intentionally kept out of the public’s eye or view.
Dogs who appear severely dehydrated, are physically exhausted, and/or have open or oozing infections that are untreated.
A dog who is extremely timid, fearful or aggressive may be a victim of cruelty.

Note – In urban areas or cities, dogs will often be kept in basements or indoor rooms hidden from public view. If you hear, see or suspect dogfighting, with dogs being kept in a building or home, notify your police or law enforcement immediately. Don’t wait!

How to Report Animal Cruelty

If you think someone is abusing animals or you know someone who is abusing animals, speak up immediately. Visit your local police department and file a report, or call 9-1-1 and report the cruelty and crime. Contact your local law enforcement agency, animal control agency, and local humane organization or tax-payer funded animal shelter, and file a report with them. Most importantly, file a report with the police department, and don’t wait—it can cost the animal its life. Committing animal cruelty is a felony in all 50 U.S. states.

When reporting the crime, give authorities as many details as you can about the suspected animal fighting operation. You do not need to give your name to law enforcement to report your information. If you can, provide photos, videos, audios, names of dog fighters and addresses, and any other evidence that documents the dog fighting. Share with local authorities the exact location of the dogfighting.

Tell the law enforcement agency about the HSUS’s Reward Program, by contacting the Humane Society of the U.S. animal fighting tip line at 877-TIP-HSUS. The HSUS is offering a $5,000 reward to anyone who provides information that leads to the arrest and conviction of dog fighters. Share this reward information with friends and family to get more people involved in convicting dog fighters.

The Face of Dogfighting: One Dog’s Incredible Journey

How to Recognize the Signs of Animal Cruelty – What to Look For

Open wounds, signs of multiple “healed” wounds or scars, or an ongoing illness or injury that has not been treated.
Extreme thinness or emaciation, signs of starvation, malnutrition, dehydration – bones may be visible.
An owner striking, hitting, or physically abusing an animal.
Weakness, limping or the inability to stand or walk normally.
Fur infested with fleas, ticks or other parasites.
Animal is heavily or extremely matted, may have a filthy dirty coat.
Tight collar that has caused a neck wound or has become embedded in the pet’s neck.
Visible signs of confusion, or extreme drowsiness.
Untreated skin conditions that have caused loss of hair, scaly skin, bumps or rashes.
Heavy discharge from the eyes or nose.

Recognizing Environmental Cruelty to Animals

Pets / dogs are kept outside in bad weather, extreme temperatures, without access to adequate shelter.
Pets / dogs are tied up alone outside for long periods of time without regular feedings, fresh water 24/7, or adequate food and water.
Pets / dogs are housed in cages or kennels that are too small and don’t allow them to move, turn around, stand up, walk and move normally.
Pets / dogs are kept in an area that is full of feces, garbage, or dangerous objects that could harm or injure them.

Here is more information about chaining and tethering dogs.

Report Animal Cruelty / Dogfighting Seen on the Internet

Report any animal cruelty seen on the Internet by:

Identify the URL or name of the website, plus find out who owns the website by visiting www.whois.net and doing a “WHOIS” search of the site in question.
Then contact the website’s ISP (Internet Service Provider) such as AT&T, Verizon or Comcast, to let them know about the offensive material that involves animal abuse or cruelty.
Contact the police or local law enforcement officials (see the website registrant’s address on WHOIS), and contact the local FBI branch as well.
Contact your local county or city animal shelter and Humane Society. Also contact PETA day or night—at 757-622-7382, hit option 2. You can complete PETA’s Animal Cruelty Report Form here: https://www.peta.org/about-peta/contact-peta/report-cruelty/ — they will follow up.
You can report animal cruelty to the Humane Society of the U.S. here: https://www.humanesociety.org/forms/contact-animal-rescue-team — they will follow up.

What Else You Can Do

Call 9-1-1 or the Police / Report to Local Law Enforcement –– The HSUS offers a reward of up to $5,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of anyone involved in dogfighting or cockfighting. If you have information about illegal animal fighting in your area, you can call the HSUS’s animal fighting tip line at 877-TIP-HSUS. Your information will be kept confidential, and be sure to download and print the poster and post it in public places. In order to qualify for the reward, you must open a case with the local law enforcement agency or police.
Share the HSUS Reward with Neighbors, Friends and Family — Get more people involved with convicting illegal dog fighters.
Get to Know your Local Police, Sheriff and Law Enforcement authorities — Bring animal fighting issues to their attention; urge them to seek out dog fighters and enforce the penalties and laws against them; ask them to make your town and region safer from criminal activity and animal cruelty.
Help Pass the PACT Act, Preventing Animal Cruelty and Torture Act – Help make it a federal crime to commit malicious cruelty to an animal of federal property or interstate commerce, please sign! Here
Share This Video, Life on a Chain: Death in the Ring – Share with friends on social media to raise awareness about the heinous crime of dogfighting and those who commit it.
Write Letters to Your Editor – Write your local newspaper editor about the cruelty and dangers of dogfighting. Promote fighting against dog fighting in your area – be vocal, speak up, and educate others.
Fight for Stronger Laws at the State Level – Write, call or meet with your state legislators and urge them to upgrade your state’s laws to impose much harsher sentences and penalties against the crime of dog fighting and animal cruelty. Let them know you care about this.
Urge Your Local, State and Congressional Representatives — Support better funding for enforcement of animal fighting laws.
Watch The Champions documentary – About the pit bulls rescued from the notorious Michael Vick dog fighting case.
Watch Out of the Pit: Dogfighting in Chicago – Out of the Pit is the most comprehensive documentary about dog fighting ever produced. The film is the winner of the 2004 Genesis Award for best local PBS documentary.

What are the Laws Related to Dogfighting?

Dog fighting is a felony in all 50 U.S. states as of 2008, including the District of Columbia, Guam, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, and involves a minimum sentence of a year in jail and a hefty fine. In 2008, Congress passed the Animal Fighting Prohibition Enforcement Act with strong bipartisan support. The Act amended the Animal Welfare Act and provides felony penalties for the interstate commerce, import and export relating to the commerce in dogs abused for profit, and roosters who are forced to fight and for cockfighting paraphernalia. Each violation can result in up to three years in jail and a $250,000 fine.

In 2014, the crucial elements of the Animal Fighting Spectator Prohibition Act were signed into law as part of the Farm Bill. This provision makes attending an organized animal fight anywhere in the U.S. a federal offense, and imposes additional penalties for bringing a child under 16 to an animal fight.

In the majority of states, the possession of dogs for the purpose of fighting is also a felony offense. In addition, being a spectator at a dog fight is also illegal and a felony in most states except Montana and Hawaii. Receiving money for admitting people to a dog fight is illegal, so is selling, purchasing, possessing or training a dog for dogfighting. In addition to state laws regarding dog fighting, the Animal Welfare Act also makes it a federal crime to sponsor or attend any kind of animal fighting event.

Here is a chart of dog fighting laws across U.S. States.

Dogfighting: Life on the Chain, Death in the Ring

Three Levels of Dogfighting – All Are Illegal & Felonies

There are three categories of dog fighting – all are illegal, involve deep animal cruelty, and all are a felony offense. Always contact law enforcement, the police, and your local animal control if you know of, hear of, or witness dogfighting. It needs to be reported immediately, as dogs can suffer, become severely injured and be killed – if not reported.

STREET FIGHTING – These are dog fights that happen in back alleys, on streets, or playgrounds. These men fight their dogs as a result of an insult, taunt or turf invasion, the event is spontaneous, informal, unplanned, and many of these men don’t respect their dogs. Many of these dogs are bred to be a threat to people and other dogs, and these street fights are often related to gangs. The payoff may be money, drugs, or ego, and there is often no attempt to provide the dog care after fighting if it is injured. These dogs often die from their injuries.
HOBBYIST – These are planned dog fights, but held only several times a year, with one or more dogs participating. The purpose is both “entertainment” for these men or for supplemental income, and these people will travel over state lines with their dogs to fight.
PROFESSIONAL – Remember Michael Vick? Michael Vick was a professional dog fighter. He had large numbers of dogs who he kenneled on his property. They are involved in making money from breeding, selling and fighting dogs at a central location, as well as possibly over state lines. They work on conditioning the dog for fights, which can involve brutal training, abuse and cruelty, in order to train them. If dogs don’t win, or are afraid to fight, or are fearful – they will often kill the dog. Dogs are “disposable” to these men.

Read about the Michael Vick case and learn why dog advocates are still outraged and sickened by Michael Vick and his lenient sentence.