The exciting, All-American sport of DOGFIGHTING

Though I may be in the minority, I feel that dogfighting is wholesome, educational, family entertainment for kids of all ages.

There's nothing quite like taking the wife and kids to an exciting Saturday night dogfight, watching the glee in my children's eyes while two vicious, hulking canine beasts, their muscles rippling with adrenaline, tear each other to pieces, fighting to their glorious deaths in the pit like latter-day animal gladiators.

The excitement builds when the dogmen arrive after sundown; often driving expensive SUVs pulling custom trailers containing their prized fighting dogs. One by one the contenders are led from the trailers while others look on in admiration, some among them wishing that they too were dogmen. Others size up the contenders, determining the amount they will place in bets.

Bookmakers, quickly jotting odds on small chalkboards, start collecting money as enthusiastic bettors yell, "Two thousand on Imperator," or "Put me down for five hundred bucks on Lucky Lady."

Victory or death is the nature of the sport of dogfighting, each dogman, thousands invested in the breeding, training and care of his fighter, petting and giving his beloved champion animal encouragement before they are placed in the pit. A referee is in the pit before the fight; his job is to start the contest by placing the dogs within fighting distance of each other before the scratch line. Once the fight starts, the referee stays in the pit and enjoys the spectacle, watching for one of the dogs to turn.

Illustrating the educational value of the family sport of dogfighting, one evening while watching two dogs in a particularly bloody match, my youngest son asked me what were those purplish veiny things hanging from the belly of one contender.

"They're intestines son," I replied, admiring the dying canine's gameness as it continued to fight on, unto the death. At another match, my eldest son smiled and watched in amusement while a dog called King Odin, blinded in both eyes during the fight, clumsily latched on to the right foreleg of the opponent. Using all his strength, King Odin clamped down and bit the leg off at the shoulder, tearing the joint from the socket. Staring in astonishment with the rest of the crowd, I had never seen such incredible power come from the jaws of a game bull terrier. Curiously, at the end of the match King Odin, though blinded and ostensibly retired due to his injuries, was declared the winner, while the opposing animal, a three year old, four time champion bitch called Silver Streak, bled to death in one corner of the pit.

Another plus with regard to dogfighting is the community atmosphere promoted by the sport; friendly neighbors and fellow church members all gathering around the pit for conversation, good food, and entertainment. Many of the wives make tasty dishes to bring to the dogfights, and cold kegs of Coors and Budweiser are always a welcome addition. The local police chief often brings these beverages, along with coolers of soft drinks for the kids.

Dogfighting has been a part of American culture since before the beginning of the Republic, and is as American as apple pie and the 4th of July. Thomas Jefferson, Paul Revere and Benjamin Franklin were avid dogfighters, each keeping kennels of ferocious canines for their amusement, often pitting beasts from their kennels against each other in exciting contests of animal strength and endurance.

Drawing on the long history of the sport, I feel that some soul searching is in order, and after careful debate and reflection, it should be proposed that dogfighting be again made legal in all fifty states and territories of the United States of America.

You are sick !!! I would like to put you in the ring with one of the dogs.I really think the dogs have more smarts than you.

So Larry.....I'm curious. Why did you pick this forum for your comment? If you really want to send a message.....send it to Whoopi Goldberg.

You left me confused. Was this a dogfight white or black? Ya know we don't mix down here. Kinda like going to church.

And I hate to be critical....but you forgot the best part of dogfights......the illegal drugs. And you didn't mention the chicken fights in the other pit. And the barbecued ribs.

You just don't get it!!

And Larry.....why are you hiding in Seattle when your really in Brandon?????

I'm not hiding anywhere, madam; I really am in Seattle, and I love dogfighting! So does my entire family!

Man have you ever heard of MICHEAL VICK?

KC COOL wrote:

Man have you ever heard of MICHEAL VICK?

Truthfully, I have never heard of "Micheal" Vick, though I have heard of Michael Vick, who wouldn't make a good dogman if he tried for ten lifetimes.

If your observation is meant to imply that I will suffer the same fate as Michael Vick, you are sadly mistaken. I have been involved with the great sport of dogfighting since I was a teenager, and am now in my late fifties. I have no criminal record, as dogfighting is not a crime, and am a respected member of the greater Seattle community. Some of my best friends are members of the police force, both city and state; they too are avid dogfight enthusiasts, as are many politicians, firefighters, and members of the clergy.

Professional dogfighting is a time-honored, legitimate sport practiced in 42 states as of this post. Enthusiasts in upper echelons of state government and law enforcement safeguard match events, with matches attended to by representatives of both. These matches are held in remote areas, with hundreds of matches taking place every season. The Grand Championships were held last month; dog Satan III and bitch Fanged Venus are the 2009 victors of the heavyweight class.

You never hear about match events or the contenders on radio or television, and you never will. My family and I are part of a tight-knit, nationwide group of enthusiasts numbering approximately 60,000 individuals, many of whom are professionals, e.g., physicians, lawyers, politicians, and high level law enforcement.

Pardon me for sounding arrogant, but we are invincible.