Andrea Rosebrock 
It seems since the Michael Vick debacle, dog fighting is the ‘hot topic’ anymore. It’s not necessarily a bad thing but it would have been much better if it didn’t take a ‘celebrity’ case to bring this atrocity to the forefront… finally!
And now the Humane Society of the United States is calling North Carolina the ‘Capital of Dog Fighting’ in the US.
Eyewitness News looks inside the seedy world of dog fighting to find out what happens during the fights, why it’s so popular in this stat and what officials need you to do to help crack down on the crime.
Professional football player Michael Vick brought the underground world of dog fighting into the spotlight, but investigators in Charlotte, and even on the
national level, say dog fighting is big business here.
Eyewitness News embarked on a month-long investigation into the seedy world that some consider a sport and gained access to shocking pictures and video of dog fights in Charlotte, Gaston County and throughout North Carolina.
Reporter Susan Tran found there are many misconceptions. For one, there’s not much blood.
“They dehydrate the dogs so they don’t bleed,” said Ron Simons, a retired Animal Control officer with Charlotte-Mecklenburg police. He now works for the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Alliance.
Simons said in dog fighting, it’s not a fight to the death as most people think.
“Most of the time they’re going to die as a result of lack of vet care,” he said.
Simons met Eyewitness News at an abandoned house on Houston Street in northwest Charlotte. He said illegal dog fights were held there as recently as a few months ago.
“Bets right here in Charlotte as high as $20,000,” he said.
Inside the home, the walls of the fight pit have fallen and the carpet, which was put down for traction, is scattered. Paw prints and old blood remain. The home is just a few miles away from a place in west Charlotte where police stopped a dog fighting operation a few years ago.
“North Carolina is a hub for professional dog fighting. It’s home to some of the largest breeders of these fighting dogs anywhere in the nation,” said John Goodwin with the National Human Society in Washington, D.C.
He said few people realize that North Carolina is a key player in the dog fighting world. A main reason, he said, is cultural.
“Dog fighting is something that builds up around individuals that get into this activity,” he said.
Investigators believe many who participate are brought up to see it as a sport — a high stakes gamble, not a crime. Every victory makes the dogs more valuable to breed, and a dog with five wins earns the grand champion title.
“You’re talking $25,000 per pup. Litter of 8 pups — $200,000,” Simons said.
Breeding the dogs isn’t illegal, but attending a match is and so is fighting a dog. That’s why dog fighting is so secretive.
“They’ll take you here and then move there, and they want to make sure they’re not being followed,” Simons said.
Simons is afraid the fights will continue unless more people take notice and speak up.
“We need to have citizens involved in this just like another crime. Someone dog fighting, you need to make a phone call,” he said.
Here are some things investigators say you should look for: a party-like atmosphere, lots of cars with lots of people, but the participants bring several of their pit bulls to the house. Also, look for pit bulls with wounds to its muzzle and torso. (WSOCTV)
Hopefully just because the big headlines of the Vick case are over and done with, the heat will stay on and people will notice and report. This is not something that should ever be ignored. One of the things that has been found is that usually where you have dog fighting, you also have guns and drugs and often gang involvement. We all need to do our part on the part everyone can do it just to kee your eyes open for the signs!
I seriously agree that dog fighting is just disgusting. My friends dog got stolen a few weeks ago and it was taken to a dog fight somewhere near the area, It was badly injured but it was found and came out OK. Dog fighting happens alot round England too. I think its sick that someone would steal someone elses dog and actually make it fight, my friends dog wouldn’t hurt a fly, even though it was a Staffy. Its also just as abd that they breed them just to fight.
I hope people realise really soon that this is one heck of a major problem, and i’m going to try and find some places to donate too and try to stop, or at least find more dogs that have been in these fights.
this shit is not wrihgt we shold not be hurting animals just like u dont want ur family 2 git hert thet ent wrihgt
this is disguisting to all the people who do this to these poor animals derserve to be punished and should never be allowed to have another pet again….i love animals this make me want to cry
This is horrible. We should pit the humans up against each other for food, see how they like it!
Disgusting.
And we are on the top of the evolution?
It’s a shame being human sometimes.
Congratulation for the page, let’s fight against dog fight!
I think if poeple likes fighting, they should do it theirself ! The dog hasnt ask for anything, he just wants to make his owner happy, and so the owner should want the same things for his dog : his happyness.
Shame on the owners of those dogs, shame !
2 ppl who like seein the cruelness 2 animals i hate them i hope they all get killd
whoever is looking at the comments and is a dog fighting fan then just look at there poor faces trying to make you get loads of money. they wont give up until they die or until they are seriously injured like these ones are in the photos. one day i would love one of them dogs to just go mental on not the other dog but go mental on you, you f****** animal cralty (soz cant spell) w******
i dont see how any one can find it funny that 2 dogs are ripping each other apart its not the dogs falt it ours and we should do more about it !
They are soooo stupid!!!Dogs get killed!I hope they DIE!!!!!!!
sorry and no offense to anyone but i think it’s wrong what there doing but i dont think that it should be iileagl one thing with americans they try to put animals as if there people talk laugh play and do all sorts of things even buy it clothes pleassssse animals are not humans they are animals and i’m sorry to say this but if they want to use them to fight o well there are children in africa starving there are people in america starving but no one wants to make websote and donate money and stuff all yall want to do is talk about animals for christ sakes people eat dogs in china what are u going to do about that ?????? nothing so i think that its sad that these animals are starved or whatever but there not humans and they’ll never be humans so o well lets help are fellow humans instead of worrinying about dogs!!!!!!!!!
I know this is late sorry. i understand what you are trying to say. how animal’s aren’t equal to humans, and i agree. but why can’t people help more than one problem. For instance, i volunteer at an animal shelter, want to be a vet and live to help animals. but that doesn’t mean that i don’t care about the people in africa??? it just means that right now, on the news, Michael Vick is the “hot story”. so that is what i’m going to talk about. don’t take offence to this, but animals were put here for us. so we can enjoy them. so it’s kind of stupid for someone to not care about them just as much as it’s crazy for someone not to care about other people. Plus, humans are the one’s who force animals to viciously kill each other, and the one’s who viciously kill each other, don’t you think you should be spending your time counseling the killers. not the people trying to stop the killing.
eh, that’s sick.
this is so f***ing gross i hope everyone that is a dog fighter has their ears cut off with scissors like they do to those poor dogs and how about them fight against someone to the death the dogs never did anything to them its just like a big adult attacking an infant the way they make pups go against bigger dogs it makes me want to go and punch the m in the face i’m so f***ing pissed off!!!!! and to hell with you Micheal Vick you’re just a low life son of a b**** and you and the other fighters can rot in f***ing hell!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! this stuff is so disgusting it makes me sick and danibby you are so wrong ok so some people go over the top and do treat them like humans but come on get serious and for a matter of fact people are trying to do stuff about the starving kids in Africa my friends sells knickknacks and other things then buys food and sends it to Africa for the children so up yours!!!! And did you look at the pictures they don’t just starve them they force them to fight to the DEATH you moron and you spelled website wrong. people are trying to help other people YOU just don’t hear about it and wake up this is serious!!!!!!! how do you feel about people murdering other people this basically the same thing only with dogs idiot i swear YOU truly are messed up this is so wrong and it should be illegal and people should have the same thing done to them as they did to the dogs!!! just like good old hammerabi his philosophy was an eye for an eye thats the way it should be for this so f*** you danibby go rot in hell with Micheal Vick
DOGS do not deserve this! They depend on humans to care for and protect them… People need to realize that animals are living beings not just an object like a pen or a notebook. They have feelings and have so much love to give…This is really sad and brings tears to my eyes. If a human can fight dogs then that human is DAMAGED himself. Mike Vick is f***** UP and got what he deserved…
WTF!!How the hell did I miss this comment??danibby..Your arrogant attitude is what’s wrong with this world..It’s killing Mother Earth and everything on it..This “only humans matter” bul–sh–.Are you people born this arrogant, or was it the way you were raised?
If your so worried about Africa..children starving..Well, why don’t you get off your arrogant a– and do something about it!!Why bother wasting your time commenting on a site for dogs???Why wait for someone else to start a website?Do it your damn self!
And you don’t think it should be illegal to fight an animal do ya?(I’m assuming that is what you meant by iileagl)How can anyone not be appalled at so called “human beings” getting their(note:their…not there)jollies off the suffering of ANIMALS?!!Do you not see how sick that is?Your so worried about kids..Well,kids are at these fights too!!Among all the drugs and weapons…What about that genius?!Do those kids mean nothing?If you care nothing about animal suffering,then maybe the thought of a child watching in horror and heartbreak as an animal has their face ripped off might penetrate your heart of stone, and make you reconsider your views on whether it should be illegal or not.
Yea..that’s right..I care about animals!!Does that mean I don’t care about starving kids?Of course not..Who the hell do you think you are coming on here saying “we only talk about dogs”?How the hell would you know?How do you know there is not an animal advocate out there who has felt the pang of hunger herself and helps and fights hunger whenever and wherever she sees it!? What the hell have you done to benefit any entity outside of your own?Or do you just surf sites that you care nothing about and leave bu–sh– comments all day?How damn dare you come on here and insinuate that just because we are fighting for the rights of animals..Oh..suddenly..we don’t care about hungry children…Believe it or not…People do exist whose compassion can and does reach out to more than one species…Please..Go do something you care about,if there really is anything, instead of wasting your time here you a–h—.
And China..educate yourself on animal welfare and the efforts being made worldwide before you make any bigger of an a– out of yourself..
http://www.animalsasia.org
And lastly, just go to hell..I’m not buying your no offense bu–sh–.You had to know this would piss us animal lovin’ folks off…The animal rights movement is big and it’s growing everyday..We will not be silenced or intimidated by this selfish attitude that the only pain and suffering that matters is that of the human being..We speak for the voiceless…and if you,danibby,ever find yourself mute, helpless, and/or being tortured…then maybe someone will speak for you and you will have a new appreciation of empathy and compassion…AND, being flippant to the pain and suffering that the poor dogs in the pictures above have obviously endured,as well as all poor dogs who are brutalized in this bloodsport… leaving such a heartless….just plain sh— comment, is pathetic in nature and downright despicable if you ask me!!
Sorry D.That comment just REALLY rubbed me the wrong way(And my computer seems to be working for a change)..I have had it with this “you don’t care about humans” bu–sh– just because you care about animals.I’ve had it with the arrogance of the human race period.
Kerry, told ya before, no need to apologize my friend. You usually always hit the nail on the head and again you have scored! Thank you.
D.
Were are Americans and were not in China but if we were in China I am sure that we would try to stop the dogs from being eaten. Just because we don’t live their doesn’t mean we are for the eating of dogs. And congradulations for all those ppl out there raising $ for FEED THE CHILDREN. But that is not the point of this issue, the issue is about Vick’s allowing dog fighting and look at these poor animals ? I wonder if after seeing these pictures and you feel nothing then I have to ask what happened to you ? I hate the fact that Vicks could do a commercial only because probation and parole thinks it could be a good idea !! And or it might help him get back into the NFL, WHAT ARE THEY THINKING ?
I think that’s a load of crap and that is WHAT I think Vick’s should be doing cleaning CRAP and NOT doing anything else for the Humane society. I’d rather see a dressed up dog than seeing the dog’s ripped apart and or starved to death !!! Maybe he should of been made to fight in prison for his food , there is always going to be someone stronger – sooner or later !
Sincerly DOG GONE MAD!!!!
Kerry and Dog Gone Mad, thank you for your honesty. I do not know how I missed this post as well. You have worded my viewpoint very well – glad we are on the same side of the fence!
danibby, you are way off the wall. We animal lovers are here on this site, because of our love and devotion to all of God’s creatures. It just so happens that animals are our passion, and we will go to any extent to have them all be unharmed and loved.
Dog fighting is a crime – it is illegal, inhumane and people who attend and partake of such horrendous things are worth sh** in my book, as well as others on this site.
Did you look at the faces and bodies of those poor souls? I believe you are just as sick if looking at pictures like that does not hit you with pain in your heart. These are living creatures who to be honest with you, that many people would rather spend time with dogs than spend time with humans. I know I would and I do.
I have seen what scars it bears on a dog when it has been in dog fighting. Not only the physical scars, but the emotional scars as well. You do not belong here if you have the belief that dog fighting should be legalized. We are pro animals and totally against any type of cruelty.
By the way, how much education have you had? Your spelling and grammar is pathetic.
Danibby! I find it so hilarious that you refer to “people in China eating dogs”. Have you ever been to China?
People that are perfectly content with dog fighting have mental issues. If one can actually be content with watching animals brutally fight and hurt each other, there is a problem. Maybe if the dogs were attacking you, you would feel differently.
I do not care if i offend anyone by posting this. It is wrong and that is why it is illegal. i believe in “what goes around, comes around”, and in some way this will come back around to the people that approve of this nonsense. Maybe in HELL…So go ahead and approve of this. The owners and fighters will all get what they deserve one day.This is the most pathetic thing I have ever heard of.
I think it’s just sick because dogs are ment to be loved not fighting for money or a reward people need to understand if you get a dog treat it the way you want to be treated if give it to a better home i’m an animal lover myself so i stick up for the rights that animals do have people just don’t understand
I agree with everyone about Danibby. Childeren in Africa are getting taken care of. But not many dog fights are.
About the china thing. Some chinese people eat dogs because of their custom. their religion. but it is complete cruelty for doing that to dogs. Sorry to say, but, F*** you danibby! I’m a major animal lover and you should be F****ing ashamed of yourself!!!!!!!! How would you like it if we cut your ears off, put you with another person a lot bigger than you and watch you get your head torn off?! You’re a loser. People like you are killing all animals. Dog fighting isn’t the only thing we need to worry about… But horse fights too. it’s as brutal as Dog fighting. Beautiful horses or dogs are sent into a pen with colts, or puppies. then they die!!!! do you have kids Danibby?! put them in a pen with a major murderer or cannibal and you can watch them die! I know it sounds horrible but, that’s what it’s like in the dog world.
I really HATE the people who put their dogs through all this would you like it if you were a dog and your owner was obsessed with dog fights so and now your beaten up and starving to death? if you think that animal cruelty is bad keep your thoughts that way. the people that are mean to dogs should try and right with nothing to help them but their limbs and you should starve to death also. a**holes. dogs are the most generous animals on the planet what would you do if their were no more dogs to help us solve crime seen investigations what would you do if there weren’t any dogs to help us around. think about it. i think that dog owners that put there dogs through this should get sentenced to death.!!!