There are many dog-fighting statistics and facts and the numbers are shocking.
All over the world as well as in the United States dog fighting became a sport that now involves many dogs. Do you know which dog breed is one of the most popular for dogfighting?
Dogs used for dogfighting events live in cages and are starved to become more aggressive. Do you know how many dogs are killed every year in rings? Or how many professional dogfighters can earn in one fight? We prepared the list of dogfighting statistics and facts so you can check it if you keep on reading.
Top 8 Dog Fighting Facts
(Editor’s pick)
- More than 16,000 dogs die every year because of dogfighting in the U.S.
- About 40,000 Americans are involved in dogfighting each year.
- Dog fights are a crime in 50 states.
- About 1,000 dogs were rehabilitated from 2016 to 2019.
- Reporting a dogfighter can be rewarded with $5,000.
- About 57% of people believe there is no dogfighting in their community.
- Dog fights involve a few other crimes.
- Studies show that animal abusers are more likely to harm other people.
List of 16 Newest Dog Fighting Statistics And Facts
1. Dog fightings usually last 1-2 hours
There are still many states in the United States, according to dog cruelty statistics, where dog fighting is a very popular sport because of gambling.
Once a dog gets in a fighting ring, fights can last for hours, and usually fights last 1-2 hours. Fights are very bloody and brutal, and they end when one dog kills another or the injuries are too bad to continue the fight.
Source: petkeen.com
2. More than 16,000 dogs die every year because of dogfighting in the U.S.
According to all statistics that include the death of dogs due to dog fights, around 16,000 of dogs are estimated to die every year in the United States. These horrifying statistics show there are still many illegal and legal dog fights in the country but fortunately this number will reduce thru next year.
Source: petkeen.com
3. About 40,000 Americans are involved in dogfighting each year
Just like the number of dog deaths in the United States, it is impossible to know the exact number of people who are involved in dogfighting. Many organizations revealed there are about 40,000 Americans which include trainers, gamblers, spectators and fight organizers.
Most people who’re involved in dogfighting don’t make a lot of money and usually do it as their hobby and entertainment. However, there are professional dogfighters who travel around the country and usually make their money through betting or selling.
Source: petkeen.com
4. Bets in dogfighting can reach more than $100,000 per fight
Participants bet on which dog will win but also they can bet how long a fight will last. Bets are in the range of hundred and even in thousand of dollars. If there are more circles, the best get much higher. In some dogfight professional gambler can earn more than $100,000.
Source: petkeen.com
5. Dog fights are a crime in 50 states
In the United States from 2009., dog fighting is a crime in every state. There are still illegal dog fighting in many states, and police departments sometimes do not have resources for proper investigation.
If dogfighters are convicted they can have serious consequences, which includes a few years in prison as well as payment for extensive fines which can go up to $250,000.
Source: petkeen.com
6. Half of police officers have encountered dogfight at least once
If you’re a police officer in the United States, there is a 50% possibility that you will deal with dogfighting at some point in your career, according to all studies done by the FBI.
Dogfights affect many urban but rural areas, as well. Although dogfight events can occur anywhere, they are mostly common in high-crime areas.
Source:petkeen.com
7. Police raids can seize up to 500 at once
The variety of dogs that police will seize during an anti-dog fighting operation van varies, According to dog statistics, the average number of successfully taken dogs is 35.
One of the largest dog fighting bust includes over 500 dogs that were seized in U.S. history. Of all 500 seized dogs, most of them were Pitbulls and 26 people were arrested in the process The event took place in Illinois, Iowa, Texas, Oklahoma and Missouri.
Even if hundreds of dogs were rescued, many of them were in bad condition and unfortunately they needed to be euthanized.
Source: petkeen.com
8. About 1,000 dogs were rehabilitated from 2016 to 2019
When the dogs are seized in a police raid, the process of rehabilitation starts. According to statistics between 216 and 2019, there are around 1,000 successfully rescued dogs.
Many of them are ready for fostering and eventual adoption, especially if they’re rescued pupper who’re not yet scared by their abuse.
Source: petkeen.com
9. Pitbulls are most used breed in dogfighting
Pitbulls are often associated with aggressive breeds but mostly because they’re connected to dogftining. They’re one of the most used breeds for dog fight events, as well as American Pitbull Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier American Bulldog, as well as other mixed-breed dogs.
Source:petkeen.com
10. Reporting a dogfighter can be rewarded with $5,000
Some of the signs that dogs are used for fighting are cropped ears and tails, so the other dogs can’t bite them, and only bite them on the neck. They are more aggressive toward humans and usually have heavy chains and collars. Mostly they’re locked in cages all day.
Also, fighting dogs can have visible injuries such as wounds and torn fur and skin. If suspect someone is using a dog for fights, the Humane Society of the United States has has a tip for reporting and offers $5,000.
Money is for sure a nice incentive, but the most important thing is the opportunity to save dogs from cruelty and even death. Also, by altering authorities, many other violent crimes can be stopped, as well.
Source:petkeen.com
11. About 57% people believe there are no dog fighting in their community
ASPCA made a poll and revealed the results about what people think if there are dog fights in their community. About 57% answer that they don’t believe dog fights ever happened in their city and community. Because dog fights are usually happening in places no one would suspect, it is not a surprise that most of the people think that.
The thing that is more concerning is that according to surveys half of people who suspected some type of dog fighting didn’t report it. This unfortunately leading to more dogs being used for fights, abused and murders.
Source:Hepper.com
12. Dog fights involve few other crimes
Not that only dog fighting is a crime in many states, it usually involves several serious crimes. According to the Animal Control Officers Association of New Hampshire (ACOANH), most of the dog fighting involve gambling and illegal drugs, and about ⅔ of them involve illegal weapons.
Other crimes that dog fights can involve include homicide, gang related activities and assaults. Most of the people who’re involved in dog fights are well-informed about bigger criminal activities in their areas as well as other areas across the country.
Source: Hepper.com
13. First dog fighting arrest happened in 1870.
Dog fighting started a long time ago, and according to datas, the earliest known arrest for dog fighting happened in 1870 in New York City Kit Burns an one of the largest dog fighting rings in the city.
Source: Hepper.com
14. Study show that animal abusers are more likely to harm other people
A long time ago, in 1997. The Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and Northeastern University made a study about the crime connection between animal and people abusers.
According to dog statistics, animal abusers are more likely to commit some violent crime than non-abusers, which is five times more. Research also showed that 71% of domestic violence victims abuse their family pet, including dogs.
Source: Hepper.com
15. In the 20th century, dog fighting became illegal in most states
Dog fighting has been known as a sport for thousands of years, but fortunately in the 20th century it became illegal in most states. There are some countries who will enjoy having it as entertainment and dog fights are very successful then even before, and those are Russia and Afghanistan as well as many other.
Source: Hepper.com
16. There was over 1,000 dog fighting arrests till 2008.
Dog fighting is often connected to other crimes so many statistics don’t show the real number and it is hard to track all dog fighting across the country.
According to data from Pet-abuse.com from 2003. To 2008. there were over 1,000 dog fighting arrests, which means approximately 200 dog fighting arrests each year.
Source: dogs.lovetoknow.com
17. The ASPCA has more than 200 dog fighting cases in 24 states
The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, known as ASPCA, has played a role in more than 200 dog fighting cases in half of the states during the last eight years.
In the same period, ASPCA dealt with around 5,000 dogs that were victims of this cruel sport. In 2017. The ASPCA participated in cases in 12 states where over 400 dogs were rescued.
Source: dogs.lovetoknow.com
To Sum Up
Dogfighting statistics show that this cruel sport is illegal across the world as well in the United States, but there are still many illegal fights . Every year about 16,00 dogs die because of dog fighting, many of them because of injuries and illness. In organization are involved more than 40,000 people and this sport is still popular because of gambling which can get a lot of money per one bet. If someone notice the dog is used for dogfights reporting will be rewarded with $5,000 and most of all this can help to stop some brutal fight and save many dogs.
