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Ending Dogfighting

No dog should endure the brutal world of organized fighting. Humane World for Animals is leading the charge to end dogfighting through stronger laws, enforcement, and rescue efforts.

1 to 2
hours

Is the average length of a dogfight

55
countries

Have partial or complete bans on dogfighting

50
states in the U.S.

Now classify dogfighting as a felony offense

Why Dogfighting Must Be Stopped

Dogfighting causes immense suffering. Dogs endure harsh training, injuries, neglect, and often death. Beyond the abuse, dogfighting perpetuates a dangerous culture of violence that affects entire communities. Humane World for Animals drives legal reform and trains law enforcement to expose dogfighting networks and bring abusers to justice. We also help local groups rescue and rehabilitate survivors.

Dog before being rescued from an alleged dogfighting situation in NC.

Meredith Lee/The HSUS

Dog hiding before being rescued from an alleged dogfighting situation in North Carolina.

A cruel blood sport

Dogfighting is a brutal blood sport where dogs are bred, trained, and forced to fight. They are pitted against one another in enclosed areas for human entertainment and illegal gambling. It's not only a horrifying form of animal cruelty, but also linked to other criminal activities like drug trafficking, illegal weapons, and gang violence.

Humane World’s Animal Rescue Team assisted authorities in investigations and raids on two separate suspected dogfighting operations in Kalamazoo, Michigan

Kathy Milani/Humane World for Animals

Humane World’s Animal Rescue Team assisted authorities in investigations and raids on two separate suspected dogfighting operations in Kalamazoo, Michigan

Dogfighting is abusive

Fights average one to two hours, ending when one of the dogs cannot continue. Fighting dogs are repeatedly subjected to severe injury and sometimes a drawn-out death. Typical injuries of fighting dogs include severe bruising, deep puncture wounds and broken bones. Dogs used in these events often die of blood loss, shock, dehydration, exhaustion or infection hours or even days after the fight. Otherwise healthy dogs who are born "cold" or won't fight are often used to sic other dogs on as training.

Police officers helped secure the premises during the raid. HSI/Cynthia Dent

Dogfighting breeds criminal activity

Over the years, law enforcement raids have unearthed many disturbing facets of this illegal practice. Young children are often present at these events, which promotes insensitivity to animal suffering, enthusiasm for violence and disrespect for the law. Illegal gambling is commonplace at dogfights, with wagers of thousands of dollars at stake. This profitability makes dog fighting commonplace in organized crime settings as well as the streets.

Dog forced to take part in dogfighting.

Cindy Dent

Our rescue team was confronted with this sad reality of dogs forced to take part in dogfighting.

Dogfighters find new avenues

Currently, dogfighting Fighting dogs should be punished by more than a slap on the wrist. It’s not a spur-of-the-moment act; it is an organized and cruel practice. Those involved in these operations go to extensive lengths to avoid detection by law enforcement, so investigations can be difficult, dangerous and expensive. Making dogfighting a felony means law enforcement officials are able to put in the effort needed to properly investigate.

275 rescued: Largest alleged dogfighting operation in South Carolina

We assisted the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of Inspector General with the seizure of 275 dogs from an alleged dogfighting operation throughout multiple properties in the Columbia, South Carolina, area. South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, non-profit organization Bark Nation, and several licensed veterinarians also assisted with the seizure. See our Animal Rescue Team care for and bond with some of the dogs found to be in critical condition from this operation. 

Meredith Lee/The HSUS

Take Action

Speak out against dogfighting

Dogs caught up in dogfighting are forced to fight and suffer from horrific injuries. But you have the chance to speak out against this cruelty. And with your help, we will ensure there is no haven for dogfighters. 

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Meredith Lee/The HSUS