How to Spot Signs of Dogfighting
It is important to be able to recognize the signs identified with dogfighting so that you can report any suspected dogfighting activity to your local authorities.
If you witness the following signs in your community and suspect dogfighting activity, you should consider contacting your local authorities immediately:
Keep in mind that in urban communities like New York City, dogs used for fighting are often found living in secluded, indoor areas such as basements, where they are hidden from public view.
“Typically, when you’re dealing with cash or jewelry or some other inanimate object, it doesn’t matter if you wait until the end of the criminal case to deal with it,” said Mary Hollingsworth, an attorney with the Wildlife and Marine Resources Section in DOJ’s Environment and Natural Resources Division (ENRD). “Dogs may start to decline physically and psychologically after about six months, even in the best shelter setting. They are not meant to be in cages with limited human interaction and exercise for long periods of time.”
“As soon as we know there are going to be dogs involved in a takedown, we reach out to ENRD and the U.S. Marshals to get them involved,” said Shellie Roth, a forfeiture paralegal in the FBI’s Columbia (South Carolina) Field Office, which has led a series of takedowns of dogfighting ventures in recent years. In one case last year, agents seized 13 dogs, cash, and dogfighting paraphernalia at a Columbia man’s house. He was sentenced in February to two years in prison.
Animal welfare experts and law enforcement officials say dogfighting is more common than most people think. A 2015 poll by the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) indicated that half of law enforcement officers nationwide encountered dogfighting—a felony in all 50 states—in their line of work. FBI investigations, meanwhile, have shown there is often a nexus with other forms of criminal activity, such as drug dealing or gambling.
FBI operations involving animal seizures are well planned, with ENRD lawyers and the U.S. Marshals—who contract with animal rescue organizations—notified well in advance so they are prepared to sweep in after arrests. The process allows for qualified vendors who specialize in animal care and management to assist with the on-site seizure of the animals; provide veterinarian care, kenneling, and adoption services; and support investigators and prosecutors on their case. Meanwhile, ENRD works closely with federal agencies, such as the FBI, to efficiently complete the forfeiture so the adoption process can start.
In January 2016, the FBI began tracking crimes against animals the same way it tracks other felony offenses like homicide and kidnappings. By creating a category within the Bureau’s National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS), law enforcement agencies can get a better handle on the problem—and how to assign resources to it. The most recent NIBRS report for 2017 shows more than 3,200 animal cruelty incidents were reported during its first year of data collection.
Why Do People Get Involved in Dogfighting?
There are many reasons people are drawn to dogfighting. The most basic is greed. Major dogfight raids have resulted in seizures of more than $500,000, and it is not unusual for $20,000 – $30,000 to change hands in a single fight. Stud fees and the sale of pups from promising bloodlines can also bring in thousands of dollars.
For others, the attraction lies in using the animals as an extension of themselves to fight their battles for them and to demonstrate their strength and prowess. However, when a dog loses, this can cause the owner of the dog to lose not only money, but status, and may lead to brutal actions against the dog.
For others, the appeal simply seems to come from the sadistic enjoyment of a brutal spectacle.