Barbaric+Entertainment

In one corner of the room stands a pit bull growling with all he has. His anger is clearly visible as he stares down his opponent. Another pit bull stands in the room displaying a mirror image. When the muzzles are removed, the battle begins. Only one will make it out alive.

Dog fighting is a sadistic "contest" in which two dogs are put into a pit in order to fight each other for the spectator's enjoyment. Fights can range from one to more than two hours in length. Dogs are bred and trained to fight. Pit bull terriers are the most common dog used.

Dogs that are subjected to fighting suffer many severe injuries. They die of blood loss, shock, dehydration, exhaustion, and infection. Pit bulls are able to cause deep bruising, extreme punction wounds, and broken bones. They are fed diets of hot sauce, while being tortured with razor blades, and forced to run endless miles on treadmills.

Young children are often present at these fights. Watching this behavior could promote insensitivity to animal suffering, enthusiasm for violence, and a lack of respect for the law. Illegal gambling is common among these events, as well as the illegal distribution of drugs.

Atlanta Falcon quarterback Michael Vick was sentenced to twenty-three months in prison and three months probation for financing a dog fighting ring and for killing pit bulls that did not fight aggressively. The dogs were killed by hanging and drowning.

Dog fighting is illegal in all fifty states and a felony offense in most. The states without a felony charge should be changed to punish those involved more effectively. People should be made more aware of the atrocities that come with dog fighting and do what they can to stop it. "They call dog fighting a sport, but where is the sport in watching two animals attack each other, often with lethal consequences?"