Too much attention has been directed towards finding a connection between dog fighting and urban or inner-city practices, instead of noting the wide ranging demographic involved in dog fighting in this country and throughout the world. On July 17, 2007, Michael Vick along with three other men, were indicted by a federal grand jury for conspiracy to travel in interstate commerce in aid of unlawful activities and to sponsor a dog in animal fighting venture. Because of the attention the name Michael Vick garners and the graphic violence and cruelty associated with the sport, there has been an influx of media coverage pertaining to the world and underworld of dog fighting.
Nike, Inc. and Vick together have made millions of dollars by portraying a certain image that main stream America might find consistent with the Hip Hop culture. Because of this, along with irresponsible journalism, too much attention has been directed towards finding a connection between dog fighting and urban or inner-city practices, instead of noting the wide ranging demographic involved in dog fighting in this country and throughout the world.
Law enforcement officials divide dog fighting activity into three categories. “The Street Level” is the lowest level and consists of spontaneous, informal and less organized forms of dog fighting. These “trainers” often don’t have the financial means as others involved in the sport, so they resort to less than adequate training practices. Fights often result in death of one or both animals because of their ignorance or just a refusal to adhere to the rules of a formal dog fight. Also, it’s much more common to find other breeds, such as Rottweilers, being used on the Street Level. Fighting pit bulls with strong bloodlines can go for as much as $50,000, so lower income “trainers” will find other means to get involved in the sport.
The second category of dog fighters is referred to as “Hobbyist”. Hobbyist are seen as mid-level “trainers” who fight dogs for entertainment but by paying more attention to the bloodlines of dogs and the rules and traditions of organized fights, they are considered above the Street Level “trainers.” Often, Hobbyist “trainers” are seen as aspiring Professional dog fighters, who have yet to receive such status.
The final category is the “Professional”. Professional fighters have large numbers of animals used for breeding, selling and fighting. Animals are often disposed of that are not successful fighters and specific attention is given to the bloodline and history of a dog.
Pit bulls are the breed of choice for dog fighting, not only because of their size and strength, but because their willingness to fight or “gameness” suits the rules of dog fighting so well. In an organized dogfight, the two dogs face each other behind what is known as a “scratch line”. A dog “scratches” when it crosses the line towards the opposing dog with full intent of engaging in the fight. When there is a lull in the action, or the moment one dog turns away from the opposing dog for even a second, the dogs are separated, placed behind the lines and they must “scratch” to continue. Once a dog refuses to “scratch”, the fight is over
The pit bulls’ “gameness”, as described in “A Fighter’s Heart” by Sam Sheridan, is “absolute commitment to the fight in the face of pain, disfigurement, until death. It’s heart, as boxing writers sometimes describe it, with a dark edge, a self- destructive edge; because true gameness doesn’t play it smart, it just keeps coming and coming no matter what.”
This “gameness” illustrates the pit bulls’ will perfectly. Dog fights can last for hours because pit bulls don’t know how to quit. It’s this quality, their gameness, which has been admired by various cultures including Hip Hop. Rapper DMX referring to himself as a Grand Champ, which is a term in dog fighting given to a dog that has won five fights, isn’t an endorsement of the sport. Record executive, Jay-Z, showing dogs preparing to fight in a music video or Rapper/Actress Eve referring to herself as a Pit Bull in a skirt are not done to glorify this cruel and sadistic sport. It’s an admiration for the “will” or “gameness” that this breed shows.
The same can be said for the “worship” of sorts the pit bull receives in Mixed Martial Arts gyms across the world. Pit bulls are tattooed on fighters; they’re the logo for gyms or the nickname for countless fighters such as former UFC Heavyweight Champion, Andrei Arlovski. Boxing journalists and commentators often speak on the “heart” or lack thereof for a particular fighter or champion, when it’s the fighters who attempt to identify themselves with pit bulls because of their “heart.” As strange as that may seem, people identify themselves or others with characteristics of animals all of the time. The most common being a Shark, often used to identify someone with “an around the clock hunter” like mentality.
The various categories have been created because of the diversity of those involved. Dog Fighting has been reported in urban, suburban and rural settings in all regions of the country. The harsh and unforgiving underworld of dog fighting has been present for more than a century with no signs of slowing down. The finger can’t be pin pointed on any particular region, culture or demographic. Labeling this sport as a product of “Hip Hop” or urban America is a poor attempt at taking advantage of a particular situation. Professional athletes are as involved in this world as business professionals, blue-collar workers, law-enforcement officers and so called “gangsters”.
Michael Vick and Bad Newz Kennels are accused of operating a Professional dog fighting organization. The indictment’s depiction of the business exemplifies how inhumane and brutal our society can be towards animals. The life of a fighting pit bull is a tragic one. A social, pack animal with an instinct to fight bred within them is reduced to a lonely, painful existence where they are praised and admired for their fighting spirit, and they will most likely die as a result of it.
The mistake the media has made is not in admonishing those involved with such a sport, but for singling out particular groups. The popularity of dog fighting is a reflection of a society’s attraction to violence, to control, to fighting and to heart. It’s not an “urban” tragedy, but a universal one.