Note: This article’s statistics come from third-party sources and do not represent the opinions of this website.
Dog fighting is a heinous and illegal sport where two dogs are pitted against one animal and forced to fight. These fights typically don’t end until one of the dogs is dead.
Though dog fighting isn’t as common today as it was when it first began increasing in the mid-1800s, it still happens. Despite the sport being illegal throughout much of the world, it is still an underground activity that the layperson is blissfully unaware of. This is especially true in countries where the sport wasn’t really popular to begin with, such as Canada.
Though dog fighting is horrific and cruel, educating ourselves on the topic is better than pretending it doesn’t exist. Keep reading to find ten statistics about dog fighting and its history in Canada.
10 Disheartening Canada Dog Fighting Statistics
- In 2015 and 2016, 64 Pitbull-like dogs were seized after dog fighting investigations in Ontario.
- Over 200 items were seized in Tilbury, Ontario, in a dog fighting investigation in October 2015.
- Sixty-seven charges stemming from the dog fighting case in Ontario were dropped in 2018.
- Nineteen seized Pitbulls in Ontario were destroyed after being used in a dog fighting ring in 2001.
- Eighteen Ontario fighting dogs were saved from death row in 2017.
- A wallaby used as bait for a dog fighting ring was rehabilitated in Calgary petting zoo in 2019.
- A Pitbull rescued from a dog fighting ring in Ontario now works as an arson detection K9.
- Dog fighting has been illegal in Canada since 1892.
- Bill C-84 was introduced in 2018 to strengthen Canadian laws around animal fighting.
- Canadians charged in connection to dog fighting rings may receive a prison term of up to five years or a fine of up to $10,000.
Dog Fighting Investigations in Canada
1. In 2015 and 2016, 64 Pitbull-like dogs were seized after dog fighting investigations in Ontario.
(Ontario SPCA)
In 2015 and 2016, the Ontario SPCA Major Case Management Team worked alongside the provincial police and local police services to investigate suspected dog fighting operations. These investigations led to 11 search warrants on three properties in the province. The investigation led to the seizure of 64 Pitbull-like dogs, as well as other evidence like veterinary supplies and documents.
2. Over 200 items were seized in Tilbury, Ontario, in a dog fighting investigation in October 2015.
(Global News Canada)
In October 2015, police, alongside Ontario SPCA agents, raided a compound in Tilbury, Ontario. They seized 31 Pitbulls and over 200 other items, including vitamin supplements, wound kits, surgical tools, training schedules, training kits, muzzles, sticks, and harnesses for weight training.
The dogs were attached to chains tied to metal stakes outside and were covered in scarring consistent with dog fighting. The investigation also found anabolic steroids at the compound and dog fighting contracts.
3. Sixty-seven charges stemming from the dog fighting case in Ontario were dropped in 2018.
(Justice for Bullies)
Two men charged in the Tilbury, Ontario investigation, went on to have their charges stay in 2018. Their lawyer argued that the legal proceeding was taking too long, violating his client’s rights. The judge agreed with this statement, so there was no trial for the accused, and 67 of the charges concerning this investigation were dropped.
One co-accused did receive sentencing, however. Robert Tomlin pled guilty to one count of causing unnecessary pain to an animal. He received a four-month conditional sentence and two years of probation. He was also given a $200 fine.
4. Nineteen seized Pitbulls in Ontario were destroyed after being used in a dog fighting ring in 2001.
(The Globe and Mail)
In 2001, an Ontario man named Kevin Monster was charged with running illegal dog fights and animal cruelty. An 11-year-old girl forced to work with Monster spoke in a video interview about the things she saw on Monster’s farm. She said he owned 19 Pitbulls that he used for dog fighting. Dogs that lost in a fight would be taken to the field and destroyed. The girl also told police how Monster would force kittens to run on treadmills as live bait to help train the fighting dogs.
As a result of this case, the 19 Pitbulls were seized from the farm and destroyed.
Happier Endings
5. Eighteen Ontario fighting dogs were saved from death row in 2017.
(Global News Canada)
During the aforementioned Tilbury, Ontario investigation, 31 Pitbulls were seized. Five people were charged with weapon and animal cruelty charges. These people also had provincial charges for owning Pitbulls. Three dogs were euthanized immediately due to medical reasons, and the remaining 28 had to have behavioral evaluations. Of these 28, 21 were deemed menaces to society and irredeemable.
The Ontario SPCA had to apply to have the dogs destroyed, which led to a public outcry. The defense lawyer and an animal organization asked for a second assessment, which showed some improvements in most dogs. However, one remained dangerous and was euthanized, two passed away while in OSPCA care, and the remaining 18 were saved from death row. These dogs were then sent to the USA for rehabilitation.
6. A wallaby used as bait for a dog fighting ring was rehabilitated in Calgary petting zoo in 2019.
(CBC News)
Pablo, a five-year-old wallaby, found its way into Alberta’s Cobbs Adventure Park in 2019 after living in a drug house and being used as bait in a dog fighting ring. Located in Calgary, Cobbs focuses on exotic animal rescue and is home to kangaroos, iguanas, snakes, sugar gliders, and more.
Though the park rescued Pablo, it took him some time to make himself at home there. Mike Shepherd, co-owner of Cobbs, says that Pablo was covered in dog bites when he arrived at the park. His fur was shaved on the back, as that was where dog fighting trainers would teach dogs to bite. Pablo was very erratic and unpredictable and had an extreme fear of humans for the first months of his stay, but he’s now made himself at home and has warmed up to humans again.
7. A Pitbull rescued from a dog fighting ring in Ontario now works as an arson detection K9.
(CTV News)
In 2020, a New Jersey fire department hired the state’s first-ever Pitbull arson detection K9 officer. What is even more impressive about this feat is that Hansel, the dog in question, was rescued from an Ontario dog fighting ring when he was just seven weeks old. Hansel, along with his sister and 19 other dogs, were destined to be integrated into the dog fighting ring had they not been rescued.
Hansel trained with a non-profit organization, Throw Away Dogs Project, for a year. The non-profit focuses on repurposing, training, and relocating “misunderstood dogs.” Once he graduated from this program, Hansel enrolled in a 16-week K9 academy to become a certified arson detector.
Canadian Law and Dog Fighting
8. Dog fighting has been illegal in Canada since 1892.
(Blue Line)
Dog fighting has long been illegal in Canada. In 1892, animal cruelty laws were introduced, deeming it a crime to cause unnecessary suffering of an animal. Until recently (see statistic 9), it was very difficult to prosecute dog fighting cases. For many years, it was illegal to engage in animal fighting but not to train dogs to fight or to accept money from the “sport.” Law enforcement essentially needed to catch perpetrators in the act to convict them.
9. Bill C-84 was introduced in 2018 to strengthen Canadian laws around animal fighting.
(Government of Canada)
Bill C-84 was introduced in 2018 to amend the Criminal Code to better address the term “bestiality” and to make it illegal to breed or train animals to fight, to own or provide a fighting arena, or to profit from animal fighting. In addition, the bill made anyone affiliated in any way with dog fighting, even if they only acted as transportation for the dog or built the fighting arena, as guilty as the person training the animals to fight.
10. Canadians charged in connection to dog fighting rings may receive a prison term of up to five years or a fine of up to $10,000.
(Government of Canada)
According to Section 445.1(1)(b) and 447 of the Criminal Code, Canadians caught wilfully causing or permitting unnecessary pain or injury to any animal or promoting, aiding in, or receiving money for the fighting or baiting of animals will receive punishment. People committing such crimes are guilty of one or two offenses.
If they are found guilty of an indictable offense, they are liable to a prison term of no more than five years. If found guilty of an offense, punishment on summary conviction, they are then liable to a fine not exceeding $10,000 or a prison term of no more than two years minus a day.
Frequently Asked Questions About Dog Fighting
What is dog fighting?
Dog fighting is a blood sport where dogs are forced to fight each other, usually to the death, for spectators’ gambling or entertainment purposes. They’re often held in barns, pits, garages, or warehouses. Dog fighting generates revenue from admission fees, gambling, and stud fees.
Why isn’t dog fighting illegal globally?
Many countries have banned dog fighting now, though it is still illegal in some places, such as Japan, Albania, and Honduras. It is still widely practiced in Russia, despite laws prohibiting the “sport” being passed in some cities.
Why does anyone get involved with dog fighting?
It is shocking that a “sport” rooted in abuse could be entertaining for anyone. Unfortunately, the sad truth is that more than 40,000 Americans participate in organized dog fighting.
There are many reasons someone might get involved with the “sport” of dog fighting, but it usually comes down to greed. Dog fight raids have seized more than $500,000, and it’s not unheard of for $30,000 to change hands during a single fight.
For some people, it could be the attraction of using dogs as an extension of themselves to fight their battles and demonstrate strength and power.
Can dog fighting dogs be rehabilitated?
Yes. Despite the abuse and mistreatment that fighting dogs face, it is possible to rehabilitate dogs bred for fighting. This isn’t the case every time, however.
Fighting dogs live brutal lives. They’re chained, starved, and beaten. They’re taught to ignore the pain and never give up in a fight, regardless of how badly they’re injured. Such irresponsible breeding and training can cause severe behavioral issues like fear or aggression.
Some dogs can learn to adjust to life as pets or working dogs through rehabilitation.
Conclusion
Canada has had very few dog fighting cases, especially compared to their neighbors to the south. Though the sport is not as well-rooted in Canada as in other countries, it doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist. There very well could be underground dog fighting rings flying under the radar.
Sadly, though dog fighting is illegal throughout most of the world, there is too much money to be made in the sport. There will always be some greedy, soulless person looking to make a quick buck at the expense of sweet dogs. All we, as animal-loving citizens, can do is remain vigilant and report any behaviors we think may appear suspicious. You never know how many lives you could save by speaking up when you believe animal abuse is occurring.
Featured Image Credit: Przemek Iciak, Shutterstock
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