Dog Fighting: How is it Affecting the Children?

Dog fighting is a horrendous underground practice that is nothing but violence. Many children grow up around this fighting and are learning at a young age that violence is OK. This type of upbringing has an effect on children mentally, emotionally, and even physically. Not only is the dog fighting itself detrimental, but along with the dog fighting usually comes other types of illegal activity. Constant exposure of dog fighting can lead toward behavior problems in children.

Dog fighting is on the rise. This underground practice has a deep history. Dog fighting can be traced back as far as Roman times where dogs fought in the Coliseums. Around 1817 the Staffordshire Bull terrier was developed and dog fighting began in America. It was even endorsed by the American Kennel Club, which had rules and regulations for the "sport." It wasn't until 1976 that dog fighting was outlawed in all 50 states. Until recently not much was done by law enforcement. Dog Fighting is now a felony in 48 states.

Even though there are stricter laws concerning dog fighting, it is still widely practiced throughout America. Many children are growing up seeing these dog fights on a daily basis. Day in and day out these children are being desensitized to violence and are being taught that animal abuse and illegal gambling is OK. Growing up around this, they think that dog fighting is a way of life and they see no problem with the practice. Young children are very impressionable and soak up everything around them. In an article in the Chicago Tribune on May 11, 2004, Sgt. Steve Brownstein of Chicago's Animal Abuse Control Team, says that "In many neighborhoods where gangs are strong, you now have 8-, 9-, 10-year-olds conducting their own dogfights. Or being spectators at the fights people are holding." If children are constantly being surrounded by violence, then that is what they learn and that is all they know. This can easily lead to children using violence as a way to express themselves. Violence breeds violence

Not only is the dog fighting illegal, but along with this underground fighting goes illegal gambling and drugs. Children growing up around the dog fights are more likely to be introduced to drugs and gambling. Firearms are highly present at most of these places because there is usually large amounts of cash generated from the gambling. Being present at underground dog fights puts children in bad situations where all types of illegal activities are occurring.

Not only is dog fighting detrimental to a child mentally and emotionally, there is of course the obvious issue of physical harm. A fighting dog is aggressive and there is nothing to stop them from turning on humans. These dogs are absolutely dangerous, as all they know is to kill. Small children are especially susceptible to an attack as a dog can easily mistake them for a small animal. Being around these fights only puts children in harm's way.

The law and law enforcement are progressing in their attempts to stop all dog fighting. The children that are growing up around this practice are at high risk for emotional and behavioral problems stemming from the desensitization of violence due to dog fights. Everything that can be done must be done to stop this awful practice before more children are affected. To find out more about what you can do check out this webpage from the Humane Society of the United States.