Monday 11 June 2007

From Russia with love


The inhumane and horrific sport of dog fighting is illegal in Europe and in the US. Not so in Russia and in other countries of the former Soviet Union. Not only is it legal but flourishing. Illegal dog fights are being held in Europe and the US and these fights are inherently different. First, the type of dog used is different. In American and European fights medium-sized pit bull type dogs weighing about 30 kgs are used whereas in Russia large breed dogs weighing over 50 kgs are used. These dogs are Central Asian Shepherd Dogs and Caucasian Ovcharkas. These dogs are collectively referred to as Volkodavs, which means “wolf killer”. They were originally bred to protect livestock herds from wolves and other predators. Secondly, all fighting dogs are registered with the All Russian Association of Russian Volkodavs which has over 2000 members. Not only does it organize national fighting championships but it sponsors dog fights. This association claims that because of the rules of fight, dogs are rarely seriously injured or killed as they never contest to death. Serious injury and death are common occurrences in illegal US and European fights.
The Russian Association points out that their fights are not as brutal because in the American and European version dogs continue fighting even if they are no longer fit to do so with the inevitable outcome that dogs will be severely injured or die in fight or shortly afterwards. Pit bulls are very resilient and those used in fight have been specially bred. They will fight until the bitter end. The Russian President of the Association says: “Only people who have not seen it and do not understand it, dislike it” and of course defends this sport by pointing out that it is legal and not brutal. But to me they both accomplish the same fundamental goal ie: matching dogs against each other to determine which dog is the strongest. It remains inhumane, deplorable and barbaric. Those poor “wolf killers” are bred to be loyal guard dogs to protect the livelihood of people who live in the more remote places of our planet. It is a shameful way to treat a hard-working and faithful companion. And of course, although I found no mention of prize money in the articles I read, I am sure huge amounts of money are involved.

9 comments:

Jeremy Jacobs said...

Interesting post on an unusual blog.

Also nice to see "other" campaign widgets concerning Burma and Tibet, rather than politically motivated BBC journalists going missing.

Flowerpot said...

I quite agree, Eurodog. It makes me feel quite sick that people can treat dogs in this way. How would these people feel if they were forced to fight against one of their colleagues? That'd get them jumping.

Cornish Dreamer said...

It's quite amazing how people can justify such a barbaric practice. And they call it sport.

jmb said...

Good post Eurodog. An important issue for dog lovers but, like bull fighting in Spain,probably just accepted in their culture.
There may not be prize money although there probably is, but no doubt the big money will be involved in betting on the outcome.

Unknown said...

Great post. Its interesting how cultures try to justify cruelty to animals by saying we as 'outsiders' don't understand; as if being ethnically related to dog fighting makes it Ok. I remember when that article came out and I clipped to give it to my boss at the shelter where I work. People see what they want to see. (I am quite cynical on this topic, and don't see an end to dog fighting.) Until the guilty parties are given harsher penalties, dog fighting will continue.

Welshcakes Limoncello said...

Eurodog, that's appalling. I didn't know this was going on in Russia. Is there a campaign about it?

Anonymous said...

I agree that dog fighting is something that should not take place. But, there are bigger problems. In American, people are being robbed, shot, and murdered on a daily basis. What these low lifes are doing to others is far worse.

lady macleod said...

That breads the heart. I do not understand people who could do such things to animals.

You have a nice blog, very interesting.

Duxbury Ramblers said...

Good post, unfortunately dog fighting is going on all over the world legal or not, then we have the badger baiters, there is something seriously wrong with people that can watch animals fighting.
Mankind is sinking lower than the animal, at least animals do what nature intended them to do.