The purpose was most likely to profit those who trained the dogs. Many dogs were crushed underneath the bull's hooves, disemboweled by the bull's horns, and tossed through the air causing broken legs, backs, and skulls when they hit the ground. (The History of the Pit Bull) Commoners and royalty alike-sought diversion from the violence and diseases of their day by attending these bloody spectacles until a public outcry forced Parliament to take a stand. (The American Pit Bull Terrier).
When Bull baiting was outlawed in 1835, people still wanted to watch animals injure and kill each other, so dog fighting became popular. Selective breeding produced a bulldog with heightened dog aggression, smaller size, and greater agility for performance in a fighting pit that was decidedly smaller than those used for the bull baiting. (Harwelik) Injuries from dog fights are often severe and fatal. A dog that is not killed during the fight may still die because of blood loss, shock, infections, or exhaust after the fight has ended. Dogs that are used for fighting are subjected to severe abuse to make them vicious. (Dog Fighting) Dog fighters argue that fighting is not cruel- the dogs enjoy the opportunity to scrap. Perhaps some do, yet the legions of mangled rejects who find their way into shelters and rescues, dogs hung from trees, set on fire in the street, and otherwise tortured or destroyed for their unwillingness to fight testify that many pit bulls would rather live in peace. (About the Pit Bull Breed) The sole purpose for this sick practice is profit and entertainment. Spectators make bets on which dogs will win. The owners of the dogs are also paid. Today, dog fighting is illegal and is a felony in all fifty states. Although the majority of dogs used for fighting are pit bulls, this does not mean that all pit bulls are vicious. The dogs used in fighting are purposely bred for bad temperament and trained to attack.
