Dogfighting is an atrocious and cowardly act of abuse that is still performed today in significant numbers. "Pit Bulls", sadly, take the extreme brunt of this abuse, accounting for the vast majority of dogs used in fighting.
Despite being illegal in all 50 states, the Humane Society of the United States reports that there are over 40,000 people participating in organized dogfighting in the US.
The effects of this disgusting practice are devastating.
There are of course the physical effects - the Animal Legal Defense Fund reports that thousands of dogs are abused and killed because of dogfighting every year. They suffer broken bones, deep lacerations, infections, serious bruising, loss of limbs, brain damage, dehydration, malnourishment, and more. Dog fights last an average of 1-2 hours.
There are the mental effects - as dogs, whose nature is to love, are born into deplorable conditions, devoid of basic love and care, and forced into unthinkable violence. Those who survive the physical effects of fighting will live forever with the mental wounds it inflicts.
And there are the cultural/societal effects - where "Pit Bulls" were once known culturally as "America's Dog", a resurgence of dogfighting beginning in the late 60's brought with it an uncertainty and fear of "Pit Bulls", heightened by an aggressive dogfighting culture and a sensationalist media. Though only a small portion of the "Pit Bull" population is reported to be involved in aggressive incidents each year, this fear and sensationalist bias still persists, and many label all "Pit Bulls" aggressive as a result.
According to the ASPCA, 57% of Americans don't believe dogfighting happens in their community. Of the 92% who say they would report fighting if they saw it, only 53% actually did. Dogfighting MUST stop, and while law enforcement does what they can, it can only be stopped on a large scale by a watchful and vigilant community.
Please, if you SEE a dogfight in progress, call 911. If you SUSPECT dogfighting is taking place, call your local animal control, and/or call the HSUS Tip Line at 1-877-TIP-HSUS.