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the beginning By the 12th century, the fighting involving dogs-along with bears and bulls-(dog fights) had grown popular in England. For several centuries, it was considered a respectable form of entertainment among the English nobility. During the fights, dogs would scratch and terrorize the bulls, which would benefit the people, because it was used as another way to tenderize meat for consumption. But by the early 19th century, bulls and bears became scarce, making prices increase, along with the growing concern of animal cruelty, lessened peoples' appeal to the fights. In 1835, the British Parliament ruled out all fights of any kind. Afterwards, people began to secretly preform dog-on-dog-only fights, because it was cheaper and easier to do. The dog fights would go on for hours at a time and would usually be preformed in an open grass land, or in a hidden underground passage.
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Around the World Dog Fighting was imported to the United States shortly before the Civil War. Dogs were cross-bred in hopes of creating the ultimate canine fighter: the American Pit Bull Terrior. Dog Fighting quickly became a known spectator event in the United States, along with parts of Europe, Asia, and Latin America. By the 1860's, many states had ruled out Dog Fighting, because of concern of animal cruelty. By the 20th century, it had continued to spread, and with the approval of the general public, and police officials.
Dog Fighting has been outlawed in most of the world, but it is still legal in Japan and parts of Russia. Whether it is legal or not, secret dog-fight meetings are still held; Mainly in Pakistan, Eastern Europe, Latin America, and the United Kingdom. At least 40,000 people are some way involved with the industry. People say it is closely related with Roman Colosseum battles. In Afghanistan, the dog-fighting industry became more popular, after virtually disappearing under the Taliban, who outlawed the sport to prevent betting – which is not permitted in Islam. Animal cruelty arguments don't carry much weight in Afghanistan, where dogfighting is a big business and a source of income for the owners of champion dogs |
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Rescue team The industry is also booming in the U.S., concentrated in urban areas and the rural South. Nationally, about 30 percent of all dogs in animal shelters are pit bulls (the breed used for dog-fighting). In some areas, that figure can climb to 60 percent.
Not all rescued pit bulls are involved in the practice, but John Goodwin of the Human Society of the U.S. says that many bear the hallmarks of the industry: a fight-crazy disposition and the scars to prove it. Rescued dogs are kept at animal shelters until a judge makes a determination on the dog's fate. Because fight dogs have been bred to attack and kill other dogs, almost all of them are euthanized. There are no definitive figures on how many fight dogs are rescued in the U.S. annually, but Goodwin says that about 4 million dogs in shelters are euthanized each year. |