Oct
26

Dog Fighting in Canada

Pitting dogs against each other for sport was common in many societies in the 1800’s. After England introduced a ban on bull-baiting – using dogs to bait bears, bulls and other animals earning them the name pit bulls, these dogs were instead trained to fight each other. Although dog fighting is a reprehensible act, it continues to be practiced in many parts of the world including illegally in Canada.

The breed of dog that is most associated with dog fighting is the pit bull. Recent media attention featuring high-profile dog-fighting rings, such as the case of former NFL-star Michael Vick, has focused attention on this heinous activity. Because these breeds were historically bred for fighting, they have been labelled as “dangerous dogs”. Unfortunately irresponsible breeders who intentionally produce aggressive dogs are to blame for the negative image of the pit bull.

Animal fighting of any sort is reprehensible and the Canadian Federation of Humane Societies (CFHS) condemns any activity where animals are forced to fight each other for the entertainment of humans. There should be harsh criminal punishments for any individual(s) found engaging in such activity. The Canadian Criminal Code makes it an offence if someone “encourages, aids or assists at the fighting or baiting of animals or birds”. However, the person literally has to be caught in the act. For example, if the Michael Vick situation had taken place in Canada he likely would not have been prosecuted because he was not caught in the act of dog fighting. Unlike in the United States, in Canada it is not an offence to train animals to fight nor to accept money from animal fighting. Such provisions are included in the Criminal Code amendments that the CFHS wants to see passed.

This makes it crystal clear that individual sections of the animal welfare laws must be reviewed in order to avoid loopholes that would allow animal abusers to worm their way out of paying for their crimes. I have said it before and will say it again as many times as necessary, we HAVE to rewrite the book on animal welfare laws in Canada.

What are your thoughts on the subject? What changes would you like to see made to Canada’s animal welfare laws, and why do you feel the changes you propose will be effective? Change must start somewhere! Speak up Canadians! I can not possibly hope to help you change the tide of animal welfare in our country without your input!

In the following video dogs speak for themselves, in reality they need YOU to speak for them!

Until Tomorrow Remember

BE THE CHANGE YOU SEEK

Janette

October 26, 2010 // Posts by Viktor // 2 Comments //

2 Comments to “Dog Fighting in Canada”

February 5, 2011 at 12:32 am
Lalena Wentzell says:

OUTSTANDING AND VERY POWERFUL. DOG FIGHTING SICKENS ME. M,ANY PEOPLE (TOO MANY PEOPLE)… THINK THAT DOGS AREN’T EQUAL TO PEOPLE SIMPLY BECAUSE THEY EAT FOOD FROM A BOWL ON THE FLOOR, BECAUSE THEY HAVE TO WEAR A LEASH WHEN THEY GO OUTSIDE AND SADLY BECAUSE… THEY CAN’T TALK, THANK YOU FOR GIVING ALL DOGS A VOICE.

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November 8, 2011 at 7:46 pm
Tina says:

We need the laws to change so that anything or anyone involved in dog fighting is illegal and the punishment is large enough to make people think twice about getting involved in it. Spectators of these dog fights play a large part in this because if they are not there to bet on it there is no reason to fight the dogs. You cannot blame a breed of animal for what a human has done to it as these dogs are very loving animals just like most breeds. Put the blame and punishment where it belongs on the humans that abuse these animals and make them pay for their actions and not condemn the dogs they are the victims.

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