Dogfighting entails cycle of torture

By Sandra E. Strickland (2)

Saturday, August 4, 2007
© Copyright 2013 Gwinnett Daily Post

I agree with Lance Gupta ("Not only dogs treated cruelly," To The Editor, July 28) regarding the mistreatment of food animals. However, I feel there is another view to the media frenzy surrounding Michael Vick and dogfighting.

Whether Vick is guilty of the charges he is accused, the publicity of his case may bring the prevalence of dogfighting and its inhumanity to the forefront.

In addition to the general cruelty of the dogfighting arena, the training methods used are brutal. Most dogs are not inherently vicious but must be trained and taunted in order to become the killers their owners desire. This requires that they have lesser victims to attack during their training, such as smaller dogs, cats and kittens.

Dogs who have a tendency toward aggression are even more desirable and they are bred and interbred again and again in order to bring out that viciousness. Some of this has resulted in the bad name for the "Pit Bull" breed. When they have outlived their usefulness, they are often inhumanely put down.

Dogfighting is illegal in this state and many others, but it will continue as long as there are those who are willing to participate. Perhaps continued publicity will make people more aware of this disgusting "sport" and may help to bring about a change in people's attitudes.

We can only hope this is so.

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