What is your opinion on dog fighting? Is there any place for it in our society? What if the dogs are natural fighters who want to fight—is it okay to let them fight since that’s their basic instinctive need or tendency? Are you opposed to dog fighting as a sport in which people make money? What do you think of pit bulls? Do you see them as fighting machines, or do you think they make pets and companions? Do you know anything about dog fighting and the degree to which it occurs? Do you think you should know more about dog fighting before judging against it? Is dog fighting all that different from boxing? If so, how so?
I know this subject might be offensive to some people, but I believe many people have preconcieved (and mistaken) ideas about dog fighting. Please consider the nature of these dogs, such as pit bulls, which were bred by man as a crossbreed and which by nature are often aggressive and dominant.Thanks for your input.
Marvin
16 comments:
I don't like the ideal about dogs fighting at all. i think that is cruelty to animals and people shouldn't let there dogs fight. No its not okay to let dogs fight because it in there blood. Yes i am opposed of dogs fighting for money i think it is just wrong. i have nothing wrong with pitbulls because i have one myself. I believe they make pets it really depends on how you raise your dog, because my pitbull is fine it doesn't fight at all. No i don't think i need to know about dog fighting because i don't support it. Yes to me it is because boxing is a sport and dog fighting isn't.
Edwidge Philizaire
I am against dog fighting. Even if it's their instinct to fight, you said yourself it's our fault for breeding them that way. The difference between boxing and dog fighting is that boxing is a regulated sport, while dog fighting is just two dogs tearing each other apart. It can lead to serious injury or death of the dogs.
-Blake Diehl
I don't like the idea that dogs are fighting for profit. For some reason that just doesn't sound right to me. We allow dogs as pets because they are tamed behaving animals. When you try to make a dog into a fighter that totally beats the purpose of having a dog which is for companionship. Nothing irritates me more than when owners don't train there dog to behave to the owners and treat strangers with respect. Not only is it wrong to make dogs fighters I feel but it's also a potential disaster in the waiting! What if this vicious dog was to get loose? What if it was to get out of it's caged area and run away. A child could be playing in the street and this trained killer could go out and kill an innocent child. I don't like that possiblity one bit. Dogs are made to be man's best friend not mans substitution for boxing!
Dan Berger
From Debra Porter:
I guess I don't really see a problem with dog fighting because I don't see it happening. I believe that if the dogs truely want to fight then it is okay. But when people abuse their dogs and turn them into real animals, then it is wrong. It doesn't seem 100% wrong to make money off of it, people do it with other forms of animal fighting or racing (such as horses). I think that pit bulls can be fighting machines and pets. I have seen my fair share of both kinds of pit bulls. It has to do with the owner, if they have it set in their minds that they want the dog to fight from the moment they get the dog then they will not treat it the same as if they wanted it to be a real pet.
I do not believe in raising an animal to be a fighter. Yes, I realize that animals fight in the wild, but that is for survival - not to win money! (I guess one could argue that people are raising dogs to fight to earn money for man's survival.)Honestly I don't know a lot about dog fighting but, I do know that many dogs have been viscously torn up in dog fights and then disregarded and abandoned by their owners because they are no longer of use. That is very sad to me. That could be compared to soldier sent into battle and losing a leg and then coming home and his wife divorces him because he is no longer of use. I dislike the concept of dog fighting as much as I dislike the concept of boxing. I don't see any sense in it. Many boxers have been beaten to the point of causing severe brain damage and for what cause? Only to earn the big bucks!
I have friends that have pit bulls as pets, companions to love. They are wonderful dogs to have around. I absolutely love them! I don't ever see them tearing into each other - nor would their owner allow them to hurt each other.
I don't think just because dogs are aggressive and dominant by nature is a good reason to encourage them to fight - same as I know people can be aggressive and dominant by nature and shouldn't be raised and taught to fight. I know I sometimes can have an aggressive/dominant personality, THANK GOD my mother taught me to be considerate, kind, and compassionate to others!
The 1:14 comment was made by Jan Baker
Dogs have a passion for surviving in the wilderness, not for fighting. It’s an instinct that they have, which they would prefer not to have to use, but will when the time is right. Like when they are being forced to fight other dogs purely for entertainment and money. They will fight because of an instinct. Because they want to survive. Not because it makes them happy.
I don’t agree with dog fighting at all. Pit bulls are more dominant and aggressive than other breeds, but it is a characteristic. That doesn’t mean you should throw them in a ring, and let them go at it. It is inhumane and disgusting. Dog fighting and boxing are definitely not the same. Boxing is a sport that humans CHOOSE to participate in. Dogs don’t have the ability to choose. You can say that the dogs come out of the ring tails wagging, but dogs wag their tails for other reasons other than happiness. They wag their tails if they are nervous, or have tons of adrenaline running through them. Also dogs are people pleasers. They will do whatever it is that they think will make their masters happy. This does NOT mean it is okay. It hurts them, and is painful. Dogs are “a mans best friend.” Not some object you can use to make money and provide entertainment. All dogs were wild once, but we domesticated them for a reason, to be companions, and to be part of the family. It is abuse to force the dogs to fight each other. You could say, you aren’t forcing them, but you are. Like I said, if they think it will make their masters happy, they will do it, it doesn’t mean they want to, and it doesn’t mean they are happy doing it. I used to work as a dog groomer, and one time this customer came in with his two pit bulls. He asked if we could file their nails to the sharpest point possible because they were “fightin dogs.” This disgusted me. They both had cuts and marks all over them, on one of them, half of an ear was torn off. They were scared, and flinched with every movement. The whole idea of it all, just doesn’t make sense to me. What is the purpose here? There are other non-abusive ways to make money, difference is, you would be the one working hard for it, and not the dog. I personally don’t see anything wrong with pit bulls, I love all breeds, and they all have different characteristics, you just have to know how to train them.
Pit bulls are naturally agressive and dominant, but so are rottweilers, dobermans, and some terriers. This does not mean they are going to be born mean, and agressive. It also doesn't mean they would rather be fighting, than in a home somewhere playing, and enjoying dogs life, the way it is meant to be enjoyed. So you can say that, but still, how does that make dog fighting okay?
Caitlin Parker
Man its wrong. Ive seen some of them on tape and they can get real brutal. When they fight and go on for so long they are slowy killing themsleves; and its toture even though the dogs are fighting head up. Its sad to see them bleed and their whole bodies are scared up. I think it should be stopped real qucik becuse a lot of dogs are getting killed, or they are not healty anymore after the fights.
Fabion HArri
Marvin, Marvin, Marvin... I love ya to death, but this is wrong! Bulls are kept as bulls for one reason...and that's all they think about...but do ranchers keep them in with the heifers all the time? No. It is said, by some, that guns are only made for one reason -- to kill people, but we all know that guns don't kill people, people kill people. Pit bulls are dogs. Dogs are cool. All animals are cool. But do I want to see any of them fight? No. I don't want to see any of them inflict injury or receive injury. I love animals, and I don't think allowing my dog to fight shows very much love for my animal. I don't have any problem with pit bulls at all, you know that. They are just another breed of dog to me. I don't care if it is their nature or not...I think a lot of that "nature" is instilled in the dog by its owner. I think that man (and by "man," I mean HUman) invented this breed of dog for his own entertainment. I don't blame the dog or the breed at all, for its reputation. I blame man. History has shown us that man is the cruelest and most dangerous animal of all. Men have done atrocious things in the name of entertainment -- hell, look at bullfighting. That's wrong, too. People do horrible things, Marvin. Animals don't have the ulterior motives that we humans do. With animals, what you see is what you get. That is not the case with humans. Why do people find it amusing to see other life forms suffer? And making money off of it? Shame, shame, shame. Boxers are different. They are people and think at a different level than dogs do. They are two people, clearly having the same level of cognition, and so are the people watching them. They are all PEOPLE. Little doggies shouldn't have to maim and kill each other just for man's benefit. Like I said to you before -- I think we should put anyone who either watches or gets involved in dog fighting (or cock fighting for that matter) into an arena full of hungry lions. Now THAT would be entertaining!!! A ferocious beast (lion) vs. a ferocious mind (man). I would rather be thrown into a room full of pissed off pit bulls, than thrown into a room with one messed up human being. At least I could predict what the pit bulls would do!
Luv ya!
Stacie Carlson
From Barb Beals:
Ok, why in a civilized socioty would we even question this? Dogs are supposed to be mans best friend. They are a comfort to us when we are lonely, sad, or even happy they share all of these emotions with us. Why would we raise them to fight? To let them go against one of their own kind; to see which dog had more machismo than another? I think that it's inhumane and grotesque. What happens if your dog turns on you? Or maybe company? What if he breaks loose of a leash or chain and attacks a child. Who would really be to blame? The dog would probably have to be put to sleep, but I think the owner of the dog should be.
I dont agree with dog fighting. I have never seen it nor do i ever wanna see it. I dont think it is right to make dogs go through that. I feel bad for the dogs, why would anyone want to watch and why would anyone like it. I love dogs, and wouldnt want to watch them fight other dogs, it would make me sad. I dont think they should be allowed to make money off of dogs fighting. I think it is cruetly to animals. Dan made a good point, what if one of those dogs get loose out of their cage and sees a child taking their dog for a walk and the dog attacks the child and the dog? That would be horrible and i couldnt imagine. Dog fighting is animals fighting and not knowing when to stop and that could cause death and serious injury to the dogs. Boxing is people fighting and they know when to stop, they arent gonna die from it whereas a dog could.
Stephanie Einck
I don't really have too much of an opinion about dog fighting, but here are some of my views. I don't think there is anyplace for dog fighting in our society. Dog fighting may happen in the wild, but we have more of humane country. Dog fighting may happen, but I don't think we should induce it. Dog fighting should not be classified as a sport or something to bet money on. It is wrong to watch dog fighting where other dogs can get hurt, and humans are making money out of the deal. Pit bulls can make good companions as long as they are kept under control. You would not want to let your pit bull loose anywhere, and taking them on walks you have to be a little leary about seeing other dogs. I don't really pay attention to anything going on in the world about dog fighting. I think I know enough about dog fighting to judge against it, since it is hurting harmless animals for the humor of humans. Dog fighting is NOT boxing since humans induce it.
Jeremy Lamb
You mentioned a few times that you think that it is in the dogs nature to fight. Ummm... where are you getting this information? Basic instinctive need? Unless someone like the dog whisperer can talk to the dog how would we ever know what they WANT? Yes they can fight, but as Darwin would say that is for their species to continue to survive. Propetuateding the species and wanting to fight are a long way from the same thing. So NO, I do not think that placing two dogs in a cage, betting on them, and watching them rip themselves apart is cool. Well, maybe if they signed a release form first, or were given an option like, ok spike, we have a fight lined up for you, so if you want to fight bark once, if not bark twice. I mean if they want to they would choose to fight. But that’s the whole problem with this question, how do we really know what the dog wants. Also, it seems money is driving this whole thing more then anything else. Because in boxing the boxer can walk away at any point and he put himself in that situation in the first place.
Emily Chittick
I think that dog fighting is punishment for the dog, it isn't right. There is NO place in our society for other dogs to kill other dogs. If the dogs are natural fighers then they shouldn't be put to the test to make money for their owners or anything like that. I think that all in all dog fighting is wrong and that you shouldn't put your dog in the risk of getting hurt or getting killed just so you can make money. I don't think that people should consider the good outcome in dog fighting. Why? because there isn't one! I am a dog lover and just the thought of owners putting their dog to a fight is wrong. Just like boxing, but that is different becaue the person is fighting and they have their own choice to get hurt, the dog doesn't have one and that is wrong and disrespectful for them. I think that if they are dogs such as the pit bulls and they are fighting dogs then that is ever more wrong. Those dogs have been attacking humans why because the owner has treated them to be mean to people and to fight. That is why the problem with them attacking humans. They are taught to be mean, and dogs shouldn't have to scare people; espeically the ones who accutaly innocent.
Sonja Paul
hmmm...how do we know if dogs have basic instinctive needs to fight? I think you could almost say that about anything. I think people often think that pit bulls by nature are mean because most of the time people who have pit bulls train them to be protective. however, you could train any dog to be that way, and you could also train them to be warm, friendly companions. I dont know too much about dog fighting-in fact, I've never heard of it before, but I guess if chicken fighting is wrong I would think dog fighting is wrong too.
I believe that dog fighting is wrong because most fighting dogs are trained from birth to fight. If dogs were fighting on there own without humans forcing them to fight then it would be ok but when they are torchered and forced to fight thats when it is wrong. They are not treated nor taken care of like pets are. So i would say that dog fighting is wrong.
Justin Henrichs
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