Dog fighting

For other uses of the term, see Dog fight (disambiguation).

Dog fighting is a fight between game dogs initiated by humans as a form of recreation and often as an venue for gambling. Illegal in many countries, this ancient practice is nevertheless a source of revenue for entertainment and stud fees. Dog fighting has also been linked to organized crime and gangs.

What is dog fighting?

Dog fighting is the actual pitting of two dogs against each other in a pit or a ring to fight for the entertainment of the spectators. It is appropriately called a blood sport, as the dogs literally bite and rip the flesh off of one another while the onlookers cheer, scream, and place bets on which dog will win the match.

After the fight, both dogs are critically wounded, often with massive bleeding, ruptured lungs, broken bones, and other life threatening injuries. Generally, the loser of a match dies or is killed, unless he has any salvage value to his owner. When dogs are killed after a match, it is not done by humane euthanasia methods, rather the animals are shot, beaten, or tortured. The animals that survive generally never see a veterinarian, regardless of the gravity of injuries or the amount of suffering that the animals will have to endure.

History

Dog fighting has been documented in the recorded history of many different cultures, and is presumed to have existed since the initial domestication of the species. Many breeds have been bred specifically for the strength, attitude, and physical features that would make them better fighting dogs.

Scholars speculate that large-scale human migration, the development of trade, and gifts between royal courts of valuable fighting dogs facilitated the spread of fighting dog breeds. There are many accounts of military campaigns which utilized fighting dogs, as well as royal gifts in the form of large dogs.

Blood sports involving the baiting of animals has occurred since antiquity, most famously at the Colosseum in Rome during the reign of the Roman Empire. However, in contemporary times, it is most associated with the English, who pursued it with utmost earnestness, which was barely known elsewhere in the world. For over six hundred years the pastime flourished, reaching the peak of its popularity during the sixteenth century. The various animal types involved in the bait allowed for the breed specialization and basic anatomical forms of fighting dogs, which we see today.

Dog fighting has been popular in many countries throughout history and continues to be practiced both legally and illegally around the world.

Afghanistan

Dog fighting has grown in popularity in Afghanistan since the fall of the Taliban, who banned it. Afghan people claim that dog fighting is part of their democracy. Reportedly, police officers in Afghanistan do not enforce any laws regarding dog fights, and often watch the fights.

Japan

Dog fighting began in Japan before the end of the Kamakura period. According to historical documents, Hōjō Takatoki, the 14th shikken (shogun's regent) of the Kamakura shogunate was known to be obsessed with dog fighting, to the point where he allowed his samurai to pay taxes with dogs. At this time, dog fighting was called inuawase.

Dog fighting was considered a way for the Samurai to retain their aggressive edge during peaceful times. Several daimyo, such as Chosokabe Motochika and Yamauchi Yodo, both from Tosa Province (present-day Kochi Prefecture), were known to encourage dog fighting. Dog fighting was also popular in Akita Prefecture, which is the origin of the Akita breed.

Dog fighting evolved in Kochi to a form that is called Tōken (闘犬). Under modern rules, dogs fight in a fenced ring until one of the dogs barks, yelps, or loses the will to fight. Owners are allowed to throw in the towel, and matches are stopped if a doctor judges it is too dangerous. Draws usually occur when both dogs won't fight or both dogs fight until the time limit. There are various other rules, including one that specifies that a dog will lose if it attempts to copulate, which is called hentai. Champion dogs are called yokozuna, as in sumo. With generic animal protection laws in place, dog fighting is not specifically banned in Japan, except in Tokyo, and can be seen in Kochi. Currently, most fighting dogs in Japan are Tosa, which is a breed that was developed in Kochi . Dog fighting does not have strong links to gambling in Japan.

North America

Dog fighting is illegal in all North American countries.

According to a study by the College of Law of the Michigan State University published in 2005, in the United States, dog fighting was once completely legal and was sanctioned and promoted during the colonial period (1600s through 1776) and continuing through the Victorian eras of the late 19th century. However, by the early twentieth century, the brutality inherent in dog fighting was no longer tolerated by American society. It become increasingly outlawed, a trend which has continued into the 21st century.

As of 2007, dog fighting is a felony in 48 states and a misdemeanor in Idaho and Wyoming. In most states, it is against the law to even attend a dog fighting event, regardless of direct participation. According to authorities, dog fighting is increasingly practiced by gangs, and is linked to other unlawful activities, such as gambling.

Despite legality issues, dogs are still commonly used for fighting purposes all across the continent. The American Pit Bull Terrier is the most popular breed used for fighting, but foreign breeds, such as the Dogo Argentino (used widely in South America) and Presa Canario (used in Spain) are also gaining popularity.

Pakistan

Dog fighting is illegal in Pakistan, though enforcement of dogfighting laws is infrequent.. In addition, it is illegal to possess dogfighting materials such as videos, or to attend an event that subjects an animal to cruel treatment, although this law is seldom enforced due to corrupt officials and lack of interest from authorities.

Russia

Although animal cruelty laws exist in Russia, dog fighting is widely practiced. Laws prohibiting dogfights have been passed in certain places, and in others dogfights are legally held under the supervision of the All-Russian Association of Russian Volkodavs. Temperament tests, which are a common and relatively mild form of dog fighting used for breeding purposes, are fairly commonplace.

United Kingdom

During the time of Roman Britain, there were Pugnaces Britanniae or war dogs, mostly used in battle but later used for dog fighting contests in the amphitheatre. As early as 1154 , in the reign of Henry II, bull-baiting and bear-baiting with dogs was a popular amusement.

Breeding allowed for a specialized breed in the form of the now extinct original Old English Bulldog. The contemporary recreation of the breed is recognized called the Olde English Bulldogge.

Dog fighting continued in London long after the Cruelty to Animals Act 1835 made cock fighting, dog fighting, bull-, bear-, and badger-baiting illegal. However, the law applied only to cruel treatment to domestic and captive animals, and not to wild ones.

Despite periodic dog-fight prosecutions, the illegal canine pit battles continued. Sporting journals of the 18th and 19th centuries depict the Black Country and London as the primary English dog fight centres of the period. Dog fighting was also practiced in many areas of Ireland.

Dog fighting is still popular in certain areas of England, with a large underground following. Largely as the result of attacks on children, police have increased enforcement activities.

Latin America

Dog fighting is widely practiced in much of Latin America, especially in Argentina, Colombia and many parts of Brazil. The Dogo Argentino is by far the most common breed involved in the bloodsport. The Fila Brasileiro is also used, but rarely. The American Pit Bull Terrier is another breed that is commonly involved in dog fighting circuits. The Dogo Cubano and dogo cordoba were used for fighting a century ago, but have become extinct.

Impacts upon modern society

In the 21st century, dog fighting has become an objectionable and unlawful activity in most places around the world. The reasons fall into several broad categories, and each have motivated constituencies in many areas.

Animal welfare and rights

From an animal welfare standpoint, dog fighting is one of the most serious forms of animal abuse, not only for the violence that the dogs endure during and after the fights, but because they often suffer their entire lives. At least one major study alleges that the prevailing mind set among dog fighters is that, the more the dog suffers, the tougher he will become, and the better fighter he will therefore be. This position and the resulting treatment afforded the dogs stand in stark contrast with prevaliling public values regarding the treatment of dogs in many civilized societies.

In addition to the controversial treatment a dog receives when he has potential as a fighter, according to a filing in U.S. District Court in Richmond by federal investigators in Virginia, which was obtained under the Freedom of Information Act and published by the Baltimore Sunon July 6, 2007, a losing dog or one whose potential is considered unacceptable faces "being put to death by drowning, strangulation, hanging, gun shot, electrocution or some other method"

Stolen pets: bait animals

In additional to the fate which awaits poor fighter or even dogs likely to become poor fighters, often "bait" animals are used to test a dog's fighting instinct. The "bait" is mauled or killed in the process. Often "bait" animals are stolen pets, as officials with the Sheriff's Department in Pima County, Arizona say they were shocked to discover a few years ago, according to a story by National Geographic News. According to news reports compiled by the National Humane Society, the snouts of bait dogs are wrapped with duct tape to prevent them from injuring pit bulls being trained for fighting. Other animals, such as cats and rabbits are also reported to be used as "bait" for fighting dogs. Experts have said small dogs, kittens, and rabbits are more at risk of being stolen for bait than larger animals.

National Geographic noted that there are no statistics on how many pets are taken and used as bait by dog fighting rings each year. Patricia Wagner, head of the National Illegal Animal Fighting Task Force for the Humane Society of the United States, offered the statement "I think every state has a problem with it, whether they know it or not."

Dangers of training dogs to be aggressive, fighting machines

There is a public safety issue associated with training dogs to be aggressive, fighting machines. In St. Helens, England, on January 1, 2007, 5-year-old Ellie Lawrenson was mauled to death at her grandmother's home by a "pit bull terrier-type dog" allegedly bred by her uncle for the dog fighting ring. According to the BBC, post-mortem tests revealed she died of severe head and neck injuries. Whe authorties arrived, they discovered that the grandmother had managed to lock the dog outside, but had herself suffered injuries to tendons in her arm, and wounds to her thumb and elbow. Only three months earlier, Cadey-Lee Deacon, who was five-months old, was was mauled to death by two Rottweilers in nearby Leicester.

Additionally, after a life of training as a fighting dog, if a dog does not suffer its death while in such service, a rehabilitation to become a pet is usually not practical or even feasible.

In Richmond, Virginia, when a dog fighter was sentenced in June 2007, it was reveled in court that over a dozen of his dogs had to be euthanized, either because of serious illness, injury or malnutrition, or because their training as fighting dogs made them too dangerous for adoption. Until 2006, the man had kept 16 pit bulls in the backyard of his house, confined with heavy chains used for automobile towing. Experts say chaining the animals is a dogfighting technique for building strength. responded to a call from one of Miller's neighbors that one of the dogs had died. When an animal control officer arrived in response to a complaint from a neighbor that one of the dogs had died, he found the dead dog in a trash can. The others had no food, no clean water and no adequate shelter. Jody Jones, program manager of Richmond Animal Care and Control, said in court that the case produced more dogs euthanized than any other case she knows of from her 15-year career in animal control.

Following the seizure of a large number of dogs in an April 2007 dog fighting case in Mississippi, Tara High, executive director of the Humane Society of South Mississippi said "The reality is that they've been used for entertainment. It's quite tragic for those of us that are kind of left to deal with it and the reality that these animals aren't going to be able to be rehabilitated," she said. Ms. High compared the animals to "a loaded weapon. And not something we feel very comfortable letting out into the community."

Societal impact, gang and criminal activities

For many years, even after it was outlawed, dog fighting was considered an isolated animal welfare issue, and as such was ignored, denied, or disregarded by law enforcement agencies. However, leaders have come to realize that the clandestine culture of dog fighting is directly related with other crimes and community violence.

Peripheral criminal activities typically occuring include organized crime, racketeering, drug distribution, or gangs. Dog fighting events often serve to facilitate gambling and drug trafficking. As with other criminal enterprises, communities suffer from the unlawful activities which become an unwholesome part of the neighborhood culture.

Even seasoned law enforcement agents are consistently appalled by the atrocities that they encounter before, during, and after dog fights, children in those communities are routinely exposed to the unfathomable violence that is inherent within the blood sport and become conditioned to believe that the violence is normal. Those children are systematically desensitized to the suffering, and ultimately become criminalized.

Dog fighting breeds

As with all domestic dogs, the ancestors of all breeds were wolves. The foundation breed of the fighting dog was, in its outward appearance, a large, low, heavy breed with a powerful build and strongly developed head.

Dog breeding in its earliest stages was carried out systematically, with the desire for specialization. It is believed that the development of individual breeds took place in narrow geographic areas, corresponding to the performance required in these regions. Selection for performance, complemented by the breeding for suitable body forms, leads to the formation of breeds. The task of the fighting dog demanded specific basic anatomical traits and temperamental features. The anatomy of the fighting dog requires an imposing outward form to instill fear, with the foundation breed naturally large, low-slung, heavy, powerfully built, with a strongly developed head, powerful biting apparatus and a threatening voice. The goal is to breed a dog that will attack animals but is docile and affectionate toward humans. All breeds with a character suitable for protecting humans and fighting wild animals may be considered for dogfighting.

Fighting breeds today

Many breeds that were once associated with dog fighting have been developed into excellent family and show dogs. Pure breeds such as the English Bull Terrier and the Staffordshire Bull Terrier ware popular as fighting dogs, but were originally developed as 'baiting' dogs in the meat processing industry. These dogs were supposed to bite onto the nose of a bull, and hang on. This developed a high amount of adrenaline in the bull, and when butchered, it was believed to have better flavor. A dog that failed to hang on was put down. A butcher that failed to bait their bulls was put out of business. Other pure breeds including the Irish Terrier, the Shih Tzu, the bulldog, the Kerry Blue Terrier and the Parson Russell Terrier were used for fighting along side their original use in vermin control and other farm work. In modern times responsible breeders have taken care to breed out aggressive traits from these animals producing dogs suitable as domestic pets. Care should be taken when considering purchase of old fighting breeds to ensure that you are buying from a responsible breeder who values good temprement in their dogs. It is also important to socialize puppies at an early age to further prevent aggression toward other dogs. All terriers come from a combination of the Black and Tan terrier, and the English White Terrier. Unfortunately, through irresponsible breeding and a failure to distinguish between 'gameness' (a dog's unwillingness to back down, characteristic and standard in all terrier breeds) and aggression, many of these breeds have to be questioned before purchase.

Law

Dog fighting has been made illegal in many countries. Even though it is illegal, dog fighting still occurs across the globe. To combat dog fighting and the designation of so-called dangerous dog breeds, Breed Specific Legislation (BSL) has been passed in some countries and many townships and municipalities. However, BSL affects responsible pet owners more than those who keep dogs for fighting purposes. For those who keep dogs for fighting purposes, outlawing their dog's breed just encourages them to find another breed suitable for fighting or to keep their dog out of the public eye.

United States: Investigations, new federal law in 2007

Dog fighting is unlawful in all 50 states and the District of Columbia, as well as Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. According to an attorney for the Humane Society, as of 2007, related charges carry felony sanctions in all of these except in Idaho and Wyoming. However, the specifics of those laws vary widely. Before the federal law was passed, New York already had issued felony penalties up to four years to individuals fighting any types of animals. But some other levels of participation were only misdemeanor offenses. In May 2007, a new federal law went into effect making interstate dog fighting activities felonious and providing for imprisonment and imposition of large fines.

In recent times, a combination of animal rights groups and law enforcement agencies have drawn new attention to dog fighting and related criminal activities in the United States. A story in the New York Daily News published on June 10 2007, stated "dog fighting is a multi-million-dollar industry that is part of an underground subculture that holds its events in secret locations. It is extremely difficult for authorities to prove who has dogs for fighting purposes." A few weks later, in Buffalo, New York, police and animal control officers at the City of Buffalo Animal Shelter rescued 15 pit bulls believed to be part of dogfighting activities during a two week period. Authorities found pit bulls — dead and alive — as well as "dogfighting kits", which include harnesses, muzzles, pre-fight training guides, stacks of breeding papers, and even videos on dogfighting. "We have been back to the same house three different times, and each time we pull out more and more dogs," said Animal Control Officer Andrew Kleinfelder. "Even when someone is arrested, a normal pit bull fighting ring has at least 30 people involved. Someone keeps the fights going."

Widespread, linked to gangs, other criminal activities

The United States Humane Society estimates that more than 40,000 people across the country buy and sell fighting dogs and are involved in dogfighting activities. But authorities say those in dogfighting circles also are involved in a number of other crimes, including narcotics trafficking, illegal gambling and murder. In August 2006, a suspected dog fighter in Texas bled to death after he was shot by intruders who apparently intended to torture him into revealing where he had hidden $100,000 wagered in a high-stakes dog match.

The Chicago Sun-Times reported that an analysis during a study by the College of Law at Michigan State University found that, in more two dozen raids on dogfights, in virtually every instance police also seized illegal narcotics and weapons. Police seized $250,000 in cash during another 2004 raid in Covington, Georgia. "Law enforcement is realizing it's a real community problem, intertwined with other crimes such as drugs and gambling," John Goodwin, an official with the Humane Society stated in an interview for the Norfolk Virginian-Pilot newspaper published in June 2007.

Many communities in widespread areas across the United States are aggressively targeting dog fighting by coordinating local and regional dog fighting task forces. "It's clear that when you have dogfighting, drugs and gambling and other criminal subcultures follow," according to Mark Plowden, a spokesman for the South Carolina Attorney General's Office, which in 2004 created a dogfighting task force. In Chicago, Illinois, a special police unit is devoted to investigating cases of abuse due to the connection between dog fighting and other gang crimes. In 2005, the police in Los Angeles, California formed an Animal Cruelty Task Force, leading to prosecutions of gang members there for animal abuse.

Professional athletes, entertainers

The subculture of dogfighting seems to attract professional athletes. Among those linked to dogfighting is LeShon Johnson, former NFL running back, received a five-year deferred sentence in 2005 after officials seized 200 dogs during a raid of his dogfighting operation that led to 20 people being convicted in Oklahoma. Former National Basketball Association forward Qyntel Woods, pleaded guilty to animal abuse in 2005 at his home in Portland, Oregon. Former Dallas Cowboys lineman Nate Newton was arrested at a dogfight in Texas, although charges were later dropped.

Currently, NFL quarterback Michael Vick is linked to property in southeastern Virginia where authorities believe a multi-state dog fighting operation was based. In an interview with WAVY-TV, Portsmouth, Virginia, Washington Redskins running back Clinton Portis and a teammate, offensive tackle Chris Samuels, defended Vick. Portis said that if Vick is charged and convicted of dogfighting, "then you're putting him behind bars for no reason. I don't know if he was fighting dogs or not, but it's his property. It's his dog. If that's what he wants to do, do it." Those comments were sharply criticized by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell. The Redskins and Portis himself later apologized, stating that his controversial remarks about dogfighting were insensitive and that he now realizes he "shouldn't have made the comments." He added, "At that time I had no idea the love people have for animals, and I didn't consider it when I made those comments."

New York Animal Control Officer Kleinfelder says, "For pro athletes, it's not about the money.... Instead of boxers just beating up on each other, they want to see it go to the death, and with dogs they can let it go that far. To them, dogs are expendable."

Rhonda Evans is a sociologist and associate professor in the department of criminal justice at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, Louisiana who has published four academic articles on dogfighting. She stated in a story published by the Palm Beach Post that she had found that owners of high-dollar fighting dogs spanned all walks of life and social classes, with a common link of "a machismo mentality." Evans said "For them, tough dogs are a symbol of manhood... and by winning, the dogs build up their owners' ego. They see it as a valid, legitimate sport that is no worse than boxing or football."

Rap and other urban music also seem to clearly glorify dog fighting. Jay-Z shows dogs preparing for battle in the uncensored version of his music video, 99 Problems. A powerful-looking pit bull is on the cover of a CD by rapper DMX that's titled Grand Champ. "Grand Champ" is said to be a reference to a dog that has won five dogfights.

Madison Avenue advertising firms have capitalized on the same theme. When Nike was criticized about an ad featuring a growling pit bull and Rottweiler about to face off, the company denied the ad encourages dog fighting. The representative went on to state, however, "People have to understand the youth culture we cater to. Our market is the urban, edgy, hip-hop culture."

Increased enforcement, penalities

Recently, longer sentences have resulted in some dog fighting-related cases. In South Carolina, David Tant, a 300-pound man breeder of fighting dogs, is serving a 30-year sentence, among the stiffest ever imposed for the crime. One of the "directional mines" he planted to keep people away from his dogs injured a land surveyor. "Fat Bill" Reynolds of Henry County, Virginia near Martinsville, publisher of American Gamedog Times, a dog fighting magazine with an Internet website, was convicted in 2001 of transmitting images of fighting dogs across state lines and sentenced to 30 months in prison.

New federal law effective May 3

The Animal Fighting Prohibition Enforcement Act, a new federal law, was enacted by the U.S. Congress earlier in 2007 and signed by President George W. Bush on May 3, making organizing a dog fight a felony. The law provides a penalty of up to three years of imprisonment and up to a $250,000 fine for each offense of interstate or foreign transport of animals for fighting purposes. Using the provisions of the new law, which took effect immediately, the Office of the Inspector General (OIG) of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is pursuing cases in a number of locations around the country with considerable support from humane societies and local police departments.

March 2007 Dayton Ohio

In March 2007, a combined federal, state and local law enforcement team disrupted a large dog fighting network in Dayton, Ohio which was operating in Ohio, Kentucky, and Michigan. The investigation of the operation based in Montgomery County, Ohio had lasted a year. More than two dozen arrests were made and more than 60 dogs were seized. In May, 7 persons in Ohio submitted guilty pleas to state charges. Sentencing was pending at the time of a USDA news release in June 2007.

April 2007 Pass Christian, Mississippi

On April 24, authorities in Pass Christian, Mississippi raided a large dog fighting training compound owned by Maxwell Landry. According to several news stories on local television station WLOX, 17 persons were arrested and fighting dogs from Louisiana, crack cocaine and several other illicit drugs were found at the scene and confiscated. 44 pit bulls were seized. Landry once lived in Chalmette, Louisiana. After the area was damaged as a result of Hurricane Katrina in 2005, he moved to the Harrison County, Mississippi site, located about 8 miles north of Interstate 10. Federal agents with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) discovered the dogs and the training compound during aerial surveillance relating to an investigation of drug trafficking.

Members of the Louisiana SPCA came to help take care of the dogs. Property owner Landry was one of 14 people named in a federal drug trafficking indictment involving activity between Mississippi, Louisiana and South Carolina. He faces to 43 counts of illegal dog fighting in Harrison County. John Wesley Black and Constance Jean Courtney could spend a minimum of one year in prison per illegal dog fighting charge, and are linked to two dog fighting allegations. Courtney was employed as a veterinarian's assistant. Accoridng to Harrison County Prosecutor Herman Cox, Landry has confessed to investigators that he made about $5,000 a month fighting his dogs against other dogs.

April 2007 Smithfield, Virginia

On April 25, an investigation began in Virginia after evidence of a dog fighting ring turned up during a narcotics search of a 15-acre home and property owned by Michael Vick, a professional football player with the Atlanta Falcons of the NFL and a dog breeder. The original search began following several narcotics arrests of 26-year old Davon T. Boddie, Vick's cousin, who had given authorities the address of Vick's property at 1915 Moonlight Road, Smithfield, Virginia as his home address when he was arrested.

The investigation eventually involved local, state and federal authorities. In late April, Vick told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution "I'm never at the house...I left the house with my family...They just haven't been doing the right thing... It's unfortunate I have to take the heat behind it. If I'm not there, I don't know what's going on."

On July 2, 2007, agents of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) filed court documents describing a 5-year operation of an interstate dog fighting ring which called itself Bad Newz Kennels and had been based at Vick's property, which is located in southeastern Surry County a few miles northwest of the Isle of Wight County town of Smithfield.

No one was named individually in the July 2 court papers. As of July 10, no one had been charged with violation of either federal or state laws in conjunction with the alleged activity. WAVY-TV (Portsmouth, Virginia) posted a copy of one of the federal court document from July 2, and has made it available online at WAVY-TV online copy of July 2 document obtained under Freedom of Information request about the "Bad Newz Kennels" interstate dog fighting investigation.

Sources had told ESPN that Vick is not likely to be indicted by federal authorities, although three or more other unnamed individuals may be.

Further information: Bad Newz Kennels dog fighting investigation

June 2007 Richmond, Virginia

In June 2007, a circuit court judge in Richmond, Virginia imposed a four-year prison sentence and $20,000 in fines on 40-year old Stacey A. Miller, an Army veteran and convicted dog fighter. The Richmond Times-Dispatch reported that Miller was convicted in January by a jury of felony dogfighting, two counts of felony animal cruelty, a dozen counts of misdemeanor animal cruelty and two counts of possessing steroids. The jury recommended the four-year sentence and $20,000 in fines that the judge imposed. Miller also was ordered to pay Richmond Animal Care and Control $26,205.29 in restitution for the cost of caring for the 15 American pit bull terriers that were seized from him in February 2006, 12 of which had to be euthanized.

See also

• List of dog fighting breeds
• Amores perros, a Mexican film depicting dog fighting

External links

General information

• Fighting Dog Breeds and Info
• APBT Historical Center
• Animal Legal and Historical Center
• Monsieur Pitbull
• Diane Jessup
• Fight Clubs
• Sad Reality
• Stafford and Baiting Sports

Literature

• The Degeneration Of The Dog Family
• Magazines and Books
• Dawnrest list

News articles

Burke, Bill (2007-06-17). "Once limited to the rural South, dogfighting sees a cultural shift". The Virginian-Pilot. Retrieved 2007-06-17. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)