Dog Fighting
Help us in our mission to make animal cruelty/neglect to cats and dogs a felony!
Dog fighting is a severe problem throughout the state of Mississippi. It serves as a form of revenue for the dog owner participants, a racket for illegal gambling, and an unconscionable spectator's sport. Two dogs are typically placed within a small arena with fights lasting usually an hour or more. As a result, a winner is not declared until one of the dogs will not or cannot continue the fight due to injury or unwillingness to continue.
Most dogs used in these heartless fights sustain significant injuries and typically receive no veterinary care for injuries. Often following fights, the dog will die as a result of significant blood loss, shock, dehydration, exhaustion, or infection. Death may occur within hours or even sometimes days after the fight, leaving the dogs to endure agonizing suffering to the end. Additionally, most dogs found unworthy of being a top notch fighter may be destroyed by drowning, hanging, gun shot, electricution, or other inhumane method.
In addition to the fighter dogs, other animals often die excruciating deaths being used as "bait" animals for training. The animals used most often for training are typically rabbits, cats, and other small breed dogs. Many of the animals used for bait are frequently stolen, acquired from "free to good home" ads, feral, or obtained from shelters.
One of the most commonly used breeds for dog fighting is the American Staffordshire Terrier, better known as the "Pit Bull." These dogs are specially bred, conditioned and trained to fight. Fighter dogs are typically abused during training in the thought the more the dog suffers, the tougher s/he will become. This inturn, makes fighter dogs encounter a lifetime of suffering and pain.
Typical signs of a fighter dog include scars, depicted around the face. Injuries can often lead to death.
Photos are of a rescued Pit Bull with noted scars from dog fighting events.
Help us help them BEFORE it's to late!
So, why do we need tougher laws in Mississippi since dog fighting is already a felony? The fact is, dog fighting is a felony which results in conviction with a fine of not less than $1000 no more than $5000 or imprisonment not less than one year and no more than 5 years, or both. But, this course of action can only be served if law enforcement are able to raid a dog fight in progress. Any other noted signs noted on a dog not at a dog fighting event, such as scars, injury, etc., can only be classified as a misdemeanor with a small fine. It is imperative the laws be revised to proscecute dog fighters before the fight takes place. It is our duty, as their advocates, to help speak out and stop this relentless sport to stop the fighter dogs and bait animals from endless suffering. By proscuting these felons before an event, we can help save thousands of animals from this horrific suffering.
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