Quick Answers
Most dogs will not naturally fight to the death, but some dogs may be trained or forced to do so. Dog fighting is an inhumane and illegal blood sport where dogs are made to fight, sometimes to the death. However, dogs do not have a natural instinct to fight to the death – this behavior has to be instilled through abuse and training. With proper care and socialization, dogs can live together peacefully. As pack animals, dogs are cooperative by nature, not aggressive.
The idea of two dogs being put into a ring and forced to viciously fight, sometimes to the death, is distressing. As humans, we have a responsibility to protect our canine companions from cruelty. So how likely is it that a dog would naturally fight to the death? The answer is complex, as genetics, training, abuse, and environment all play a role in aggression in dogs. However, research suggests that dogs do not inherently have a “fight to the death” instinct – this is a behavior that has to be trained or coerced.
Dog Fighting Background
Dog fighting is an illegal and barbaric “blood sport” that involves training dogs to attack and fight each other, sometimes to the death. It is a felony offense in all 50 states. The Humane Society of the United States estimates that there are about 40,000 people involved in dog fighting, leading to steady abuse of an estimated 250,000 dogs. Dog fighting generates revenue from stud fees, admission fees, and gambling.
History of Dog Fighting
Dog fighting dates back to the Roman Empire, when dogs were made to fight lions and other large animals as entertainment. In England during the Middle Ages, “baiting” sports gained popularity, where dogs were made to attack chained bulls and bears. When bear baiting was outlawed in 1835, “ratting” became popular, where dogs would compete to kill the most rats in a pit in the fastest time. Eventually, dog fighting emerged as a distinct blood sport focused on dogs attacking each other.
Dog fighting continued to grow in popularity in England through the 19th century. Immigrants later introduced dog fighting to America, where it took hold in the Southern United States. The sport continues underground today despite being banned nationwide in 1976.
Rules and Details of Dog Fights
Dog fights usually take place in a pit or ring enclosed on all four sides. Dogs fight each other for entertainment and gambling purposes. Fights can last just a few minutes or several hours. With dogs bred and trained to continue through pain, severe injuries, and exhaustion, dog fights often end when one dog dies or is too injured to continue.
Do Dogs Have a Natural Instinct to Fight to the Death?
While dogs can certainly show aggression and be trained to fight violently, they do not naturally possess a “fight to the death” instinct. Rather, they have to be specifically bred, abused, and trained to override their natural inclinations.
Dog Breeds Involved in Fighting
Certain breeds of dogs have been selectively bred for the undesirable traits that make them better fighting dogs over many generations. Some common breeds used in dog fighting include:
– Pit bull terriers
– Dogo Argentinos
– Fila Brasileiros
– Tosas
– Presa Canarios
These breeds tend to be large, powerful, muscular dogs that can inflict a lot of damage with their jaws. However, it’s important to note that while some breeds may have more of a genetic propensity toward dog aggression, any breed can become aggressive through poor breeding, training, or abuse. Responsible ownership and early socialization are key to promoting friendliness and minimizing aggression in all dogs.
Abusive Training Practices
Dogs bred for fighting are put through abusive training regimens designed to heighten aggression and minimize surrender or self-preservation. They are chained, taunted, beaten, and starved to trigger attack instincts. Some training techniques include:
– Forcing dogs to run treadmills for hours to build endurance
– Feeding dogs gunpowder to desensitize them to pain and injury
– Tying a bait animal to a pole to encourage killing
– Electrocuting dogs when they show fear or refuse to fight
This conditioning overrides each dog’s natural inclination to retreat or submit when harmed. Instead, the dogs are forced to keep attacking regardless of exhaustion or injury.
Cooperative Pack Animals
In their natural state, free of abusive treatment, dogs are genetically predisposed to cooperate with humans and other dogs, not fight them. Extensive research on dog DNA reveals that dogs evolved from wolves to be more inclined toward friendly cooperation due to genetic mutations. Unlike wolves who often compete for resources and mates, dogs are genetically geared to work together for mutual benefit.
As highly social pack animals, dogs instinctively want to get along, not battle to the death. When properly socialized, dogs can live peacefully together in homes or packs. Dog fights only occur through human initiation and coercion, overriding each dog’s innate desire to coexist.
Health and Psychological Impacts of Forced Fighting
Forced dog fighting jeopardizes a dog’s health, welfare, and psyche. Training regimes and bloody matches cause severe physical trauma, mental anguish, and make death a looming possibility.
Physical Trauma
Dogs forced to fight sustain horrific wounds, including ripped flesh, broken bones, missing ears and eyes, and gore-filled gashes. Prolonged and repeated fights take an immense physical toll. The pain and injury dogs endure is heartbreaking. Many dogs die immediately in the ring, while others succumb to their wounds afterward or are killed by their owners if they lose.
Psychological Damage
In addition to physical trauma, the mental anguish inflicted through abusive training regimens can psychologically destroy dogs forced to fight. Living life chained, beaten, and attacked, these dogs endure constant suffering, robbing them of any joy or proper development. This psychological damage promotes hyper-aggression at the expense of a dog’s overall well-being and stability.
Veterinary Perspective
Veterinarians widely denounce dog fighting due to inhumane suffering and needless death of dogs. Dr. Sophia Yin, a veterinary behaviorist, explains that dogs will continue fighting from threat-induced fear as long as the threat is present, but they do not inherently enjoy the act of fighting and will not fight to the death otherwise. Forcing dogs to do so through coercion is utterly unethical.
Legal Consequences of Dog Fighting
Because dog fighting inflicts unjustifiable cruelty, it is a felony in all 50 U.S. states as well as the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands. Penalties for being involved with dog fighting vary by state but may include:
– Felony conviction
– Fines up to $250,000
– Years of jail time
– Property seizure
Over 300 dogfighters have been convicted under strengthened federal and state laws since 2007. Law enforcement actively investigates and prosecutes dog fighting operations, making it a risky criminal activity. However, dog fighting persists as a highly profitable underground operation. More aggressive enforcement and public education are still needed.
State Laws
All states have anti-cruelty laws prohibiting dog fighting. Additionally, all states except Alaska and Hawaii have laws making dog fighting a felony offense. Penalties vary by state but are aligned with other serious crimes like rape, arson, and manslaughter. For example, the State of California imposes 3-5 years imprisonment and fines up to $50,000.
Federal Law
The federal Animal Welfare Act prohibits any interstate promotion, sale, or trade of animals for fighting purposes. The Animal Fighting Prohibition Reinforcement Act strengthened penalties at the federal level by making it a felony to participate in dog fighting. Offenders face up to 3 years in jail and $250,000 in fines.
Perspectives on Dog Aggression
Within canine science and the veterinary community, dog aggression is recognized as complex, with many contributing factors. Overall, dogs are not inherently programmed to fight to the death.
Position of Canine Behavioral Science
Canine behavioral research indicates that while dogs may show territorial and dominance aggression, they do not have an innate “fight to the death” instinct. Rather, extremely violent dog aggression results from specific breeding, abusive training, and purposeful encouragement of those tendencies. Left to natural tendencies, most dogs will not maul other dogs unprompted, even of the same gender.
Veterinary Behavioral Perspective
Veterinary behavioral medicine recognizes that dogs will fight if goaded and reinforced since they will repeat behaviors that result in reward. But they attribute most severe dog aggression seen in fighting dogs to intentionally inflicted abuse andforced training regimens, not natural instinct. Left alone, dogs will generally coexist peacefully.
Counter Arguments
Some argue certain breeds like pit bulls are inherently programmed for lethal violence against other dogs. However, comprehensive studies of shelter dogs show pit bulls are no more aggressive than other breeds. While pit bulls have been selectively bred for fighting over generations, genetics alone do not program a dog to kill – abusive treatment trains them to ignore appeasement signals from other dogs that stop natural fights.
How to Promote Nonviolence
Instead of forcing dogs to fight in a ring, we must promote nonviolent relationships between dogs through proper care, management, and training. Some key tips include:
Positive Socialization
Well-socialized dogs are less likely to show unwarranted aggression. Safely introduce puppies to a wide variety of people, animals, places, sounds, and experiences to promote friendliness. Maintain socialization throughout adulthood.
Proper Exercise
Dogs with excess energy and inadequate outlets may redirect energy to destructive behaviors like fighting. Ensure dogs get sufficient daily exercise and enrichment.
Veterinary Care
Rule out potential medical causes of aggression like thyroid problems, brain disease, and pain. Keep dogs mentally and physically healthy.
Safety and Management
Prevent opportunities for uncontrolled aggression. Use leashes on walks, keep dogs secure if highly dog aggressive, and provide close supervision.
Positive Training
Use reward-based training to reinforce calm, friendly behaviors around other dogs – not aggression. Seek help from accredited trainers if needed.
Conclusion
In summary, dogs do not inherently have a “fight to the death” instinct. While some breeds may be genetically predisposed toward dog-directed aggression, a deadly inclination to kill must be instilled through selective breeding, abuse, and coercive training. Left to natural tendencies, most dogs will not voluntarily maim or kill other dogs. Dog fighting is a barbaric blood sport that forces dogs to act against their inner nature. We must promote more ethical, nonviolent relationships between our canine companions. With compassion and responsible care, we can foster friendly coexistence between dogs.