ASPCA (American Society for Presentation of Cruelty to Animals)”believes that animals are entitled to kind and respectful treatment at the hands of humans, and must be protected under the law.”
Dog fighting is a crime, and considered a felony in all 50 states. Unfortunately, the current recommended jail sentences do not reflect the seriousness of the offense – convicted dog fighters receive prison sentences as low as six months in jail and almost half of all offenders only get probation.
ASPCA is on a mission to end dog fighting, and they need your help. ASPCA is currently working to get the U.S. Sentencing Commission to raise the jail penalties for people who fight animals.
Animal advocates like you can make a real difference! Take Action Today!
This coming April, the Commission will be updating their sentencing guidelines, and animal fighting is on the agenda. ASPCA is asking for your help to urge them to make higher sentences at www.aspca.org/GetTough. The Commission will be accepting public comments until March 21.
Let’s Help ASPCA Get Tough on Dog Fighting!
Ask the U.S. Sentencing Commission to #GetTough on animal fighting!
As a thank you for participating, ASPCA is providing one of our readers a get tough dog fighting advocacy kit.
· No One Wins in a Dog Fight T-Shirt
· #GetTough Sticker
· Orange Fight Cruelty Wristband
· Subaru Collapsible Water Bowl
· Subaru Bag Dispenser with Carabiner
· Subaru Pet Food Scoop’ N Clip
Follow the giveaway tool to join.
We all need to Get Tough on Dog Fighting!
Do you agree that dogfighting be a felony offense and jail penalties should be tougher?
Those involved in dog fighting on any level deserve a LONG prison sentence. I am involved with animal rescue, and one thing I do is help with transporting animals. Until changes were made at the Gary, IN pound (dogs that used to go there are now going to a no-kill shelter in our county), I was one of several regular drivers who would pick up dogs as soon as a rescue committed to them and drive them to where they needed to go (the rescue location, their vet, a foster’s home, etc.). I saw plenty of dogs that had been used as bait dogs or for fighting, and it was so heartbreaking. Most of these dogs were still very sweet and just wanted to be loved. There were a few that were humanely euthanized because they were just too aggressive or had extremely serious injuries. I will never understand how anyone could get a thrill out of watching dogs being forced to fight to the death. Too many dog fighters are getting off with little or no punishment. Luckily, things are changing and more of them are getting serious prison time and fines. Nobody involved in dog fighting should be able to just walk away. We need to crack down on this horrendous “sport”.
I so Agree Linda. My dog was Stolen for Dog Fighting, when ‘English Bull Terriers’ were used, but are not now considered a breed of dog, to be used for fighting, (they are considered ‘Curs!’), unlike PITBULL’S , that fight to the death!. My Boy was a big Baby and did not know how to fight!. He would not have survived! I nearly went crazy worrying about him and did everything I could to try and find him!. This was many years ago. Now, still an avid Dog/Animal Lover and owner, I worry that my Baby (a 10 year old Jack Russell called Smudgie!), will be stolen and used as Live ‘Bait!’, as so many people’s beloved animals are stolen and used for! This is one ‘Sick’ Sport! and should not be tolerated!. The abuse is horrific!, & jail is not nearly a sufficient punishment for these ‘Sick’ people! Finding these people is the difficulty as dog fighting is so ‘Underground!’.I so wish I could do more, but these are the type of people I would never associate with!. They would no doubt throw ‘me’ ‘In the Pit’!, as Live Bait!. So what can we do to stop it?. I feel so useless were animal Abuse is concerned! I have tried so hard to save many, many animals owned and abused by neighbours, but they get away with it because of lack of resources of animal welfare organisations, and even they, the people employed to prevent abuse, become complacent because they see so much of it, which is no excuse! We can Post Comments such as this, time and time again, but this is not enough! I consider every animal I adopt as an animal saved, and any abuse I witness I do everything and anything I can to stop it, but there just doesn’t seem to be enough resources available, or repercussions in the way of punushment for these people’s actions, to deter it. The Justice System needs to up its game to make these abusers think twice!!.
I absolutely agree… I wish this people never would see the sun… there is something wrong with them and they should be under control before the bomb they have inside will explode once…
It is a disgusting sport. I hope the laws get tougher!
I agree completely that this is a disgusting “sport”, to call it a sport is also wrong, it’s animal abuse in the worse way. Those who are involved in it should be given the longest sentence in jail possible without all of the comforts that other prisoners get while in prison.I personally think jail is to easy for them, let’s make it a death sentence or find a dark dungeon type prison with little to no care for them. The punishment should fit the crime they are sentenced to, not given a paid vacation in jail.
Yes, I agree that dog fighting should be a felony offense and there should be stiff monetary fines and prison sentences. It’s ridiculous that people can do this to animals and get away with a slap on the wrist. Make it hurt in their time and their bank accounts. It should be the same or heavier fines and penalties than drug offenses, in my opinion.
Dang right GET SUPER DUPER TOUGH ON THEM. I THINK EVERYONE OF THOSE SUB HUMANS NEED TO BE PUT IN A CELL CHAINED TO A WALL TOGETHER LET THEM FIGHT EACH OTHER!!
HUGS MADI YOUR BFFFF
Absolutely! Dog fighting is cruel punishment for dogs who cannot make the decision to participate or not themselves. They need a voice – and a tough one!
I agree that dog fighting is a felony. Anyone who participates in it should be jailed for several years. Anyone who would tolerate or condone dog fighting should feel what it’s like to be forced to fight for their lives. Animals don’t have a choice or voice. We must help give them one.
I think anyone that is involved in dog fighting should serve hard time. There is no excuse that it dog fighting should be a felony.
I absolutely agree.
I totally agree and think jail penalties should be much tougher. It’s a horrific crime and it needs to be stopped. We need to put the fear in people who think about doing this and make them suffer when they do.
Yes I do agree! They would be less likely to have the fights if they get way more than just a slap on the wrists!
Dog fighting needs to be a class A felony. Only when there are series consequences to actions will this stop.
Yes, I agree that it should be a felony to participate in any way in dog fighting, whether actively or watching. It is brutal, inhumane, and leads to other evil activities. Anybody who has had a dog in their home knows the capacity for love they have, so that love and trust should never be broken.
definitely, it should be a felony, should get fined and jail time, prison. i live in NC and it has one of the highest dog fighting areas as well as animal abuse. there are laws on the books but they are never enforced. the people get off with a fine and no jail time. NC also has one of the highest areas for puppy mills. the largest puppy mill bust was in nc lately, over 700 animals. people had been complaining for over 10 yrs abt this place and the sheriffs never did anything. another couple recently abandoned their house with 21 dogs left for dead. look at m vick, he got off with a very short prison term b/c of who he was and he had money. people never really saw all of the horrors of what really went on at this place in va. there are laws abt leaving dogs in hot cars. i have reported and called officers and they never showed. i was told they may be able to get there but it is not important and the officers may be busy doing other things. the people need to be in prison for a long time, never allowed to own pets again and pay for the rehabilitation, care of the abused dogs.
Yes, the penalties need to be strong.
I believe it should be a stiff penalty and crime. These are helpless animals that are forced to do cruel things. If the penalty would be sever it would help deter people from doing that. Thank you
This is one ‘Sick’ Sport and should not be tolerated. The abuse is horrific! & jail is not nearly a sufficient punishment for these ‘Sick’ people! Finding these people is difficulty and it takes lots of time to find. If the penalty would be severe it would help deter people from doing that.
Dog fighting makes me sick. It disgusts me the person who could do that and the jerks who enjoy that ….
Yes, I agree that it should be a felony. Whether they are watching or participating in the dog fights. It’s disgusting and needs to be stopped. All animal cruelty needs to be stopped. There needs to be WAY harsher punishments for the people so that it finally puts an end to all animal cruelty.
I think dog fighting is wrong and I believe there should be harsher punishments, a person who thinks that hurting a living thing is a sport or fun has psychological issues and are a threat to others. That’s just my opinion.
I believe that ramifications for those individuals attending dog fights, leading fights, breeding dogs for this purpose, and mistreating dogs should be severe. Fines and small sentences are not enough of a deterrent for this crime.
I am in total agreement that dog fighting should be a felony with more jail time. Too many people do it for money and they know that they can get out of jail time if caught. It is murder and abuse and the punishment should fit the crime.
Absolutely. It is abhorrent that poor animals who cannot defend themselves are forced to fight. Disgraceful.
YES, it should be a felony offense, anyone that goes along with dog fighting or rooster fighting has no respect for any life, they have no sense of human life or dignity, just plain sick!!!
Anyone caught fighting dogs, abusing animals in any way should get the maximum penalty. This is getting out of hand. We need to speak up for these poor, helpless animals. Maximum penalty for those who mistreat animals!!!!
I agree. We should be treating animals better. Dogs are mans best friend.
i do agree that it is horrible and it should be stopped.
I agree. The amount of abuse done to the animals is horrific. This area is rampid wih dod’s being stolen for bait animals and my dog’s mom was rescued by my friend most likely was used for fighting. She was in such bad shape.
I definitely agree. Dogs fighting is one of the worst offenses I can think of and those who participate are despicable! These poor helpless dogs are so defenseless and it just breaks my heart to think of all the suffering they endure bless their hearts.
Of course it should be a felony with stricter jail time. Yes! These are innocent creatures being pushed into an aggressive state of mind and getting injured. This is not right.