... Fighting dogs are bred, conditioned and trained to do one thing—win. But no matter what the outcome, every fight has the potential to be a dog's last. Dogs who make it out of the pit alive often receive little or no aftercare for broken bones, deep bite wounds and internal injuries inflicted during fights. "It's not unusual for a dog to die from blood loss or infection afterwards," says Goodwin.

Those who do survive bear the hallmarks of fighting dogs. "These dogs are often riddled with scars from previous battles," says Laura Maloney, executive director of the Louisiana SPCA. "Some bleed to the touch due to deep scarring that never completely heals. Some dogs' broken bones heal over, which causes deformities."

In addition to the extensive injures they sustain, many dogs, once outside the ring, are barely provided with the basics they need to survive—food, water and shelter—and live in extended isolation. "Fighting dogs live on chains their entire lives, only getting off for training or a match," says Maloney.

The dogs aren't the only ones who suffer. It's impossible to estimate how many other animals and humans have been harmed by violent people who are desensitized to brutality, in part as a result of watching or participating in dogfighting and other forms of animal cruelty. "Violence begets violence," Maloney explains. "Research proves that people who abuse animals are more likely to abuse people. In addition, fighting enthusiasts often bring young children to the fights, desensitizing them to violence and teaching them that violence is accepted by society."

The dogs themselves, while victims, can also be extremely dangerous. Bred and conditioned to be animal-aggressive, fighting dogs pose a real threat to people and animals in the communities where the animals live. Children and pets are especially at risk for attack due to their small size.

Animals in communities where dogfighting exists are also in danger for another reason—birds, rabbits, cats, small dogs and other animals are often captured or stolen and typically killed during training sessions where they are used as bait for fighting dogs.

[Edited by - BASKETBALLJONES on 12-06-2005 12:20 AM]

[Edited by - BASKETBALLJONES on 12-06-2005 12:24 AM]

Posted by bobs3304:

"Research proves that people who abuse animals are more likely to abuse people."


Don't wanna jump the gun here......but I found that little tid-bit interesting, and I'll add this:

Most serial killers/rapists started off abusing/killing pets in their childhood.

Posted by McK1:

wing & a prayer GMing - ......

hope the move pays off

Posted by Knight:


Go ahead and check my freezer...just chicken breasts, I swear.

Posted by Knight:

Posted by bobs3304:

^ Hey!

Don't diss GTA.

That's my game son...

I used to hear police sirens in my sleep so I had to quit a couple years ago.