Dog fighting: the voiceless victims

Dog fighting is a crime and one where the victims (the dogs) have no voice.  Luckily, animal welfare agencies such as the ASPCA are involved in investigating and prosecuting cases.

Successful prosecution is not easy – it takes a lot of effort to investigate and raid dog fighting rings.   Increasingly, dogs who are rescued are assessed for behaviour and may be directed to welfare agencies for rehabilitation rather than immediate euthanasia.

These photos were taken at the dog fighting temporary exhibit sponsored by the ASPCA at the Crime Museum in Washington DC.  They give a small glimpse into the plight of dogs used for fighting…

Scales such as these are used to weigh fighting dogs before they enter the ring

The investigation into Michael Vick’s kennels was a turning point in many ways; for the first time there was an offender who had the finances to pay reparation that would support rehabilitation of fighting dogs.