The past few years has seen an upsurge in the popularity of illegal dog fighting in the UK, as reported by the RSPCA, and also in the US as reported by the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS). It is possible that the increase in both organised dog fighting and ‘chain rolling’ (impromptu dog fights where dogs are kept on the leash) mirrors the increase in the number, popularity and availability of ‘status dogs’, although this theory is as yet unproven.

In recent years, dog fighting has been subject of considerable media coverage, but little, if any, academic research. There is scant UK research into what UK dog fighting actually involves, how and when it occurs, who is involved and the nature of their involvement. The evidence base in the UK is also limited, although the data that do exist suggest an increase in dog-fighting activity. Similar trends of increased numbers of dangerous dogs and of dog fighting are reported in the US, Denmark, the Netherlands and Finland. However, any link between dog fighting and UK urban street gangs remains largely unresearched.

This chapter reviews why people get involved in dog fighting, the different levels of illegal dog fighting, and how it links to status dogs, breeding and training. It examines a US typology of dog fighting and considers if this model fits the current UK situation. It also considers the findings from recent UK research before considering whether the evidence supports the suggestion of an increase in, or resurgence of, this activity.

Why do people fight dogs?

One reason given by sociologists for dog fighting is that it represents a way for the dog fighters ‘to validate their masculine identities while remaining only on the periphery of actual violence’ (Evans et al, 1998: 210). Operating as a ‘sport’, dog fighting provides an arena of social competition and for ‘doing’ masculinity by emphasising aggression and violence. Evans and colleagues note that those engaged in the ‘sport’ of dog fighting refer to their groups as ‘fraternities’. From interviews conducted with 31 dogmen, they find that elements of the sport ‘represent symbolic attempts at attaining and maintaining honour and status’ (Evans et al, 1998: 209) in what is a predominantly white working-class activity in the southern states of the US.