Inside The Dog Fighting Underworld

Michael Vick's Indictment Turns Spotlight On A Seedy, Abusive But Lucrative Blood Sport

(CBS)  The indictment of Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick has turned the spotlight on the seamy, disturbing, yet fast-growing underworld of dog fighting.

Once hidden in the rural South, this blood sport with pit bulls and gambling now can be found in every state, attracting urban professionals, gang-bangers, even teenagers — 40,000 fans by some estimates, CBS News correspondent Bill Whitaker reports.

"They're everybody," said Dave Havard of the Los Angeles SPCA. "They’re not locked into a certain type of culture or a certain type of neighborhood. A lot of people get involved because of the money — a lot are in it for the entertainment."

Though it's illegal in every state and a felony in 48, there's a surge in dog fighting — organized professional or amateur backyard bouts with bets of a few dollars to thousands.

A champion dog can cost as much as $30,000 but earn as much as $100,000 in winnings. The winner lives to fight another day, the loser often dies in the ring.

"They've got incredible stamina; they've got incredible power; they've got incredible speed," said Wayne Pacelle of the Humane Society. "The fights can last anywhere from 10 minutes to three hours, and the dogs typically die from blood loss or shock."

Dog trainers insist the pit bulls aren't nasty by nature; they say the owners are — they bully and train the dogs to be hyper-aggressive … eager to fight any place, any time, anyone.

"There's dog fighting activities occurring somewhere every moment in this country," Pacelle said.

A sign if the times: Congress recently made it a federal crime to transport fighting dogs across state lines, which might end up pushing this vicious crime further underground.

[barbarav128]

Hmm, I don't know about the graphic scenes of the dog fights. I looked at it for 2 seconds and shut off the TV so I didn't see the rest of the report - kinda defeats the purpose of doing a newstory if folks are shutting off the TV, huh? It just seems gratuitous to me. We all know what goes on during a dog fight and I don't think there's any reason to show it. Besides, how many little fools will see that and think it's cool and want to do it themselves? Not a very good judgment call on the part of CBS News here.

[barbarav128]

Hmm, I don't know about the graphic scenes of the dog fights. I looked at it for 2 seconds and shut off the TV so I didn't see the rest of the report - kinda defeats the purpose of doing a newstory if folks are shutting off the TV, huh? It just seems gratuitous to me. We all know what goes on during a dog fight and I don't think there's any reason to show it. Besides, how many little fools will see that and think it's cool and want to do it themselves? Not a very good judgment call on the part of CBS News here.

[barbarav128]

Hmm, I don't know about the graphic scenes of the dog fights. I looked at it for 2 seconds and shut off the TV so I didn't see the rest of the report - kinda defeats the purpose of doing a newstory if folks are shutting off the TV, huh? It just seems gratuitous to me. We all know what goes on during a dog fight and I don't think there's any reason to show it. Besides, how many little fools will see that and think it's cool and want to do it themselves? Not a very good judgment call on the part of CBS News here.

[barbarav128]

Hmm, I don't know about the graphic scenes of the dog fights. I looked at it for 2 seconds and shut off the TV so I didn't see the rest of the report - kinda defeats the purpose of doing a newstory if folks are shutting off the TV, huh? It just seems gratuitous to me. We all know what goes on during a dog fight and I don't think there's any reason to show it. Besides, how many little fools will see that and think it's cool and want to do it themselves? Not a very good judgment call on the part of CBS News here.

[barbarav128]

Hmm, I don't know about the graphic scenes of the dog fights. I looked at it for 2 seconds and shut off the TV so I didn't see the rest of the report - kinda defeats the purpose of doing a newstory if folks are shutting off the TV, huh? It just seems gratuitous to me. We all know what goes on during a dog fight and I don't think there's any reason to show it. Besides, how many little fools will see that and think it's cool and want to do it themselves? Not a very good judgment call on the part of CBS News here.

[delco289]

I think the graphics brought it home for me. I am now dedicated to doing what I can to see that this type of horrific act is stopped and would like to know what I can do to get involved! I am an animal lover and have 2 dogs and a cat. I watch Animal Planet Rescue every night and occasionally they catch these dog fights and what saddens me the most is that even if these dogs are rescued, they cannot be put up for adoption to a loving home and have to be humanely euthanized. This is no life for these animals who are brought up to fight and then die either by fighting another dog or euthanized. I am sick to my stomach by this and I think there should be a greater punishment for this act. I realize there are worse stories out there that need coverage but this also needs to be brought to the forefront so that more people are aware of what actually happens. If anyone knows who I can contact to make a difference, I would appreciate the information.

[bennyblack1]

It could have been worse. They could actually have shown the dogs fighting to the death as the winner pulls out a juggler vein with blood pulsating all over the place!

[hootsmun]

This makes me sick to my stomach. Hoots.

[barbarav128]

Hmm, I don't know about the graphic scenes of the dog fights. I looked at it for 2 seconds and shut off the TV so I didn't see the rest of the report - kinda defeats the purpose of doing a newstory if folks are shutting off the TV, huh? It just seems gratuitous to me. We all know what goes on during a dog fight and I don't think there's any reason to show it. Besides, how many little fools will see that and think it's cool and want to do it themselves? Not a very good judgment call on the part of CBS News here.

[noaanhc]

Anybody who takes part is this sick and digusting thing should themselves be tortured,
by being whipped,and beaten with steel rebar until there dead them cremate them and throw their ashes down the sewer.

They are all scums.

[belovedmocha]

As a dog lover and owner of a gentle pit bull, the graphics were too much to stomach. Although I understand the need to bring this sick and twisted sport to the public's awareness, I ask that the network limit how much is shown.

This is not in the category of sports. Instead, it should be in the category of predator behavior. Someone once tried to steal my dog because he was so gentle and spaded. I realized the potential dog thieves would not have trained him to fight but to be attacked by other pit bulls. That is sick and anyone that involves themselves in dog fighting as well as *** fighting has no regards to animal rights and therefore most likely has no regards to human life and should be considered a danger to society.
Anyone that would train a dog to thirst for blood is sick. It is not the fault of the animal. If anyone knows and understands dogs, it is their nature to please their owners. Therefore, the full blame lies on the owner of these dogs for taking advantage of a dog's nature. In addition, if they (the owner) have no problem in teaching one fighting breed, they will certainly teach another fighting breed because that person is depraved and the answer is not to kill the fighting or herding breeds of dogs.

[noaanhc]

Belovedmocha

You are so right your words are well written

[barbarav128]

Hmm, I don't know about the graphic scenes of the dog fights. I looked at it for 2 seconds and shut off the TV so I didn't see the rest of the report - kinda defeats the purpose of doing a newstory if folks are shutting off the TV, huh? It just seems gratuitous to me. We all know what goes on during a dog fight and I don't think there's any reason to show it. Besides, how many little fools will see that and think it's cool and want to do it themselves? Not a very good judgment call on the part of CBS News here.

[karendawn1]

I disagree with the comment that CBS showed "gratuitous violence." While I always knew that dogfighting was disgusting, I never really got just how bad it is till I saw, and even worse heard, the video -- dogs shrieking in agony for human entertainment. Thank you CBS for bringing the cruelty to light! Far from changing the channel, I tuned to your station when I heard you were covering the Vick case and I was incredibly grateful that you showed the real horror of dogfighting. The online story, from KHOU was particularly graphic and powerful. Thank you!

[figuy30]

Dog fighting may be illegal, but so is jay walking and parking in a no parking zone. Until the arrest and conviction of the persons responsible for training and fighting the dogs becomes profitable for the government nothing is going to be done about it. The people who own, fight and bet on the dogs don't care how much you talk about, blog, or email on the subject, as long as you just don't take any action and do anything about it. Apathy will only get us more of the same thing we've always gotten. I personally think it should be treated just like a drug dealer. Allow the police to confiscate all the money, vehicles, dogs, guns, and everything related to the criminal act. Then allow the police, the judge, and appropriate state agency to split the profit.

[figuy30]

Mandatory prison sentences and fines with no chance of leniency by a judge, confiscation of all homes and property in and on which the dogs were trained, public exposure and having to register like a *** criminal might encourage these criminals to abide by the law like most decent citizens. These scum don't have any respect for the rest of society therefore we don't owe them any respect.

[yamuttya]

So this is where you end up when you've lost all self respect and all contact with civility.
This is the domain of the lowest of the low.
These are not people.
This is scum.

[dancerbabe11]

I think what CBS showed ws to graphic for everyone to see. What if a little child saw what was on the tv. Do you know the mental images they will have and the psychological damage they will have. They will not want a dog, I mean not just a pitt bull but any dog because they don't single anything out.

I am an owner of a pittbull and love them to death. I have friends that have pitt bulls and none of them are TRAINED to fight. People TRAIN their dogs to do that, the dogs DO NOT TRAIN THEMSELVES to do that. It is funny how the dogs get blamed for everything, but when it comes to the owners of the dog, they get what fined and a felony. But oh yea, what no one tells the viewers, is that those people go get a different dog and train that dog to fight too. And then again the dog gets more bad reputations because of idiots out there that don't care about the animal but just the money.
Sorry if I sound like I am going off in a rant but I think it's cruel how 95% of the population can have dogs and be trained not to fight and be good owners but there is that 2-3% that want money and kill their own dogs just to get money.
Punish the Breeder not the Dog.

[libover30-2009]

Abusers come in all sizes and shapes. It doesn't matter if this man is or was a player, he is now seen as an abuser and I for one hope that he gets exactly what the laws will provide.
It is sad that we don't make them serve longer sentences. I mean, the dogs paid with their lives.

The problem with people not wanting to see something like this is that you are told what the subject matter is about, and you are told that it could be disturbing, so don't watch it. As long as people don't see this abuse they will never know that a person such as this man Vick is an animal abuser and they will go on living their happy lives.

It is time once and for all for everyone to look at what is going on and demand that it stop. These dogs don't want to be fighting and they don't want to be killed. These dogs are being made to look as if they are nothing but killers, when in fact the real killer here is Vick!

May he get as good as he GAVE!

[mudrose-2009]

Anyone who does this to animals should be put in a cage with a tiger and duke it out. Then, perhaps, if he/she lives they might get a glimpse of what it feels like for these animals who truly are loving and loyal friends.

P.S. I always hope the tiger wins.

[pghlady3]

how long before sharpton or jackson steps in to blame vicks' upbringing????
and how much do you want to bet that even though vick loves his mother, he will let these people blame her. he should be barred from football until the investigation is over, there are now 20 witnesses, and when it's all done, if he is cleared, he can come back to football.
what a moron.

[mellowdaddy]

I can't believe that someone would equate this with jaywalking and parking in a no parking zone.PULEEZE! You have to be insane to take a gentle creature like a dog and train them to kill. Or to kill them in such a disgusting way when they don't perform. This is how a lot of serial killers start out, by torturing animals and killing them. How cold would you have to be to think this is entertainment. Imagine the sounds of these poor dogs crying in pain and blood flying. Vick deserves a taste of his own medicine.

[gunownerdan]

Only low-IQ retards will take pleasure in cruelty to animals. Unfortunately, that's a lot of people.

[bullis9]

The people involved should as figuy says have everything confiscated and should serve serious jail time.

As for Vick the NFL should center him in between a few linbackers for some gang tackles, ban him from a foorball as Pete Rose was from baseball,then haul his scum a** to jail. Maybe he'll meet a few inmates who are dog lovers who might take a few "pokes" at him. Or! Lets see how good a arm he has fighting off a pitbull.

Next take a few of his millions to care for mistreated and abused animals. Matter of fact take all his millions! Never seen a dog or rat carry cash.

What probably will happen he will appologize, go to dog fight rehab and live happily ever after.

What a scum bag.

[brian31462]

Posted by BarbaraV128
Hmm, I don't know about the graphic scenes of the dog fights. I looked at it for 2 seconds and shut off the TV so I didn't see the rest of the report - kinda defeats the purpose of doing a newstory if folks are shutting off the TV, huh? It just seems gratuitous to me. We all know what goes on during a dog fight and I don't think there's any reason to show it. Besides, how many little fools will see that and think it's cool and want to do it themselves? Not a very good judgment call on the part of CBS News here.

I detest dog fighting and anyone who partakes of it, but in a way I agree with CBS for showing the footage, in order for people to truly be aware of what transpires during a fight. And this video is low key and not truly as graphic as it can actually be.
Imagine being at one of these and be splattered by a dogs blood when it shakes it head.

[arealtexan]

I work with a dog rescue. This is a sad, sad problem. I take issue with one particular statement in this article, though: "Dog trainers insist the pit bulls aren't nasty by nature; they say the owners are %u2014 they bully and train the dogs to be hyper-aggressive %u2026 eager to fight any place, any time, anyone."

Pits are bred to fight. I've known some sweet ones, and there's one at the rescue I volunteer for that's just a big old teddy bear; however, because of their breeding many pits do eventually "snap" and become hyper agressive toward other dogs. For some it happens early, such as two puppies my wife and I were fostering that became aggressive and one killed a bloodhound puppy she and I had. For some it happens later, such as one that was two who had come to the rescue as a puppy and had never shown any signs of bad behavior until she attacked another dog very viciously. For some it never happens, but it's always a possibility.

[starleo146]

Is there not enough violence in this world don't send them to prison give them a gun and send them to Iraq or Afghanistan and let them fight for there lives the sorry no count losers. To take a dog who only want to please and train them to be killers is just the lowest.It honestly made me sick to see this.

[dogband]

The absolute worst, lowest form of humanity supports and promotes this stuff. People who support this are the scum of the earth. I would not walk across the street to save these peoples lives if they were bleeding to death. I hope they all go to hell.

[boffo1962]

I'd rather not see a picture of a dogfight on your website because the people who are animal lovers don't want to look at it, and the ones who are dogfight lovers WANT the publicity.

Granted, it's a brutal crime, and we should face that it's a crime, but showing a picture of it turns the stomach of those who already agree that it's wrong. It's like showing a person about to be executed or murdered. I don't want to see that either.

Those inhuman creeps who enjoy watching two innocent animals tear the *** out of each other will appreciate the publicity.

At least put a picture like that where people have the option of looking at it or not. Not on the main page of the article or your website.

[boffo1962]

I'd rather not see a picture of a dogfight on your website because the people who are animal lovers don't want to look at it, and the ones who are dogfight lovers WANT the publicity.

Granted, it's a brutal crime, and we should face that it's a crime, but it's like showing a person about to be executed or murdered. I don't want to see that either.

My "need to know?" Why would I "need to know" what a dog who's going to be ripped to shreds looks like?

At least put a picture like that where people have the option of looking at it or not. Not on the main page of your website.

[boffo1962]

I'd rather not see a picture of a dogfight on your website because the people who are animal lovers don't want to look at it, and the ones who are dogfight lovers WANT the publicity.

Granted, it's a brutal crime, and we should face that it's a crime, but it's like showing a person about to be executed or murdered. I don't want to see that either.

My "need to know?" Why would I "need to know" what a dog who's going to be ripped to shreds looks like?

At least put a picture like that where people have the option of looking at it or not. Not on the main page of your website.

[boffo1962]

I'd rather not see a picture of a dogfight on your website because the people who are animal lovers don't want to look at it, and the ones who are dogfight lovers WANT the publicity.

Granted, it's a brutal crime, and we should face that it's a crime, but it's like showing a person about to be executed or murdered. I don't want to see that either.

My "need to know?" Why would I "need to know" what a dog who's going to be ripped to shreds looks like?

At least put a picture like that where people have the option of looking at it or not. Not on the main page of your website.

[boffo1962]

I'd rather not see a picture of a dogfight on your website because the people who are animal lovers don't want to look at it, and the ones who are dogfight lovers WANT the publicity.

Granted, it's a brutal crime, and we should face that it's a crime, but it's like showing a person about to be executed or murdered. I don't want to see that either.

My "need to know?" Why would I "need to know" what a dog who's going to be ripped to shreds looks like?

At least put a picture like that where people have the option of looking at it or not. Not on the main page of your website.

[kingreb09]

Taking a dog and making it mean to fight anyone anywhere and any time is like the mental health department who take an innocent person and bring the police to put shotguns at his head and handcuff him in front of family and neighbors and take him to mental institutions for a period of accurrences for fifteen years.Then brand him as mentally ill in the community and violats all of his rights just becuase he had wonderful idead to get rich on and share the wealth with others. He is in no way mentally ill. And a person would rather be dying of cancer than to have said of him that he is mentally ill. You create a monster who will fight anyone anywhere any time, and you're beyond the point of no return. So I say Kill the real animals-all humans.

[kingreb09]

To violate a persons rights because he has wonderful ideas is the same as training an animal to kill. All humans are a problem and when all humans are dead then the world will finally see peace on earth. This happened to me and I'm past the point of no return in this matter. President Bush is a dog.

[kingreb09]

To violate a persons rights because he has wonderful ideas is the same as training an animal to kill. All humans are a problem and when all humans are dead then the world will finally see peace on earth. This happened to me and I'm past the point of no return in this matter. President Bush is a dog.

[doofus12]

Thank you for your coverage of Michael Vick%u2019s involvement in and indictment for dogfighting. I hope that this high-profile case will open the disgusting subject up for future coverage aimed at eliminating the dogfighting network and bringing the owners and handlers to justice. Please follow through; keep the pressure on law enforcement and the legal system to treat this as a serious criminal issue and punish the guilty severely.

That a star athlete like Michael Vick would be involved makes the situation even worse, since he is seen by many, particularly children, as a role model to be copied. There is nothing heroic about forcing animals to fight: if pain and bloodshed are so attractive, let the coward owners and handlers do the fighting.

Aside from the fighting itself, Vick%u2019s alleged treatment of the animals who depended on him for care and nurturing is not only despicable; it is also criminal. Failure to treat animal cruelty as a serious crime has been a contributing factor in the development of serial killers, domestic abusers, and others who move from torturing animals to %u201Cbigger game%u201D.

The NFL should waste no time in ridding itself of Vick, he deserves his day in court, but he should not be on the playing field. Failure to understand this or act swiftly and decisively will reflect badly on the league and its new commissioner.

[catcher722]

No one cares about your pitty story.

[kingreb09]

I vehemently detest the scum that put those shotguns to my head and handcuffed me in front of my children and neighbors and violated my rights and made me the laughing stock of the community and detroyed my endeavor to make money and rebuild broken communities and share the wealth. The ku klux klan republican scum that Ronald Reagan built. I've had problems with this type of scum mentally reatarded powerful bunch of animals for the last 27 years. You either see a dog fight or a human fight; and eventually the human animals will kill off themselves, a day I long to see. I'd love to be the last man on earth.

[catcher722]

Your comments have nothing to do with this story. Its about the awful story of these poor dogs, not your life.

[kingreb09]

I know that noone cares about the pity story. That's why I don't care about you pitiful bunch of murdering animals who murdered me. And you PIT itful BULLish people ought to kill each other.

[catcher722]

I murdered you? First of all I have no idea how that would work. Second of all, what makes you so much better than all the other people in the world?

[kingreb09]

That's what I'm talking about, Catch 22, you human dogs who destroyed my life. You're no diferent from the dogs, HYPOCRIT!!! You're no different from the dogs, you dogs. I'm in the dog fight of my life because of murdering ku klux klan republican dogs!!!

[catcher722]

I have no idea who you are, how can I destroy your life? You make no sense in your arguements. I do not know your story so I'm not going to comment on whatever else you have in your head.

[kingreb09]

There is more than one way to murder someone. You can put them in a vicious catch 22. History ought to teach you that. But I can't lern that because I'm mentally ill. I need to take my medicine. Don't you think that one person or a group of persons or entity can destroy a persons' life!? Am I the only one who have read about and experienced such. These dogs tore me apart like two pitbulls.

[kingreb09]

What you see in the dog fight is a reflection of human nature. What scum would do this to me!?

I think showing the scenes didn't go far enough. They should have shown what they do to the dogs when they lose in an effort to generate the kind of national outrage needed to get laws in place that have real teeth and get these people into jail for significant terms. It is a proven fact that people that torture animals hove no compunctions about doing physical, heinous harm to humans. Football players are already over the top Macho Violent people that enjoy harming their opponents so it's really no surprise this moron was doing what he's doing.
I belong to the county Animal League and we go out each November to offer free straw to people that can't afford it. We often go into predominantly black, poor neighborhoods to set up and just driving to our drop off point see large numbers of pit bulls tied on short chains to dog houses. I personally have seen pit bull females being walked that looked like they have been bred half to death. The local police, having been alerted, state they just don't have the time nor personnel to address the problem of dog fighting. And so it goes, not enough outrage, not enough press exposure, no body cares about these poor animals, life goes on and these animals are torn to shreds amongst the shouting and laughter of their owners.

[d2or3]

What can I say about the Michael Vick story? I've been following it since its inception. There are no words -- NO WORDS -- that I can find to describe the disgust I feel for the perpetrators. This country is all about rubber balls and money, rather than altruistic and philanthropic role models. Let this be a lesson for the entire public and hope like crazy that the abusers receive maximum punishment across the board!

[bjr361]

Thank you, CBS, for showing the graphic videos of dog fighting. Some people don't want to see this kind of cruelty but they need to get their heads out of the sand. Michael Vick had a chance to rise above his origins of a housing project and become a hero but his real moral character has surfaced in this scandal. He is a slimeball who has no integrity and no conscience. He is the lowest of the low. I hope the NFL and the Falcons dump him but they will probably try to save his sorry ***.

[yamuttya]

Wheres the Falcons?
Wheres the NFL?
Wheres the leadership ??

Has the Bush disease
infected the whole culture ?