Dogfighting

Historical Background

Pitting dogs against various other animals, such as rats, bears, and bulls, has been a common practice for hundreds of years. It appears that most baiting sports arose to serve utilitarian functions. Ratting is believed to have arisen as a means to reduce the rat population of the inner cities, before sewer systems were developed. Bull baiting is believed to have arisen from the need to tenderize bull meat so that it could be consumed. In 17th-century England, it was illegal to slaughter a bull without first baiting it against a dog. While the baiting spectacles may have arisen to serve vital functions, they quickly progressed from utility to sport.

The baiting sports then were governed by the aristocrats and royalty. Originally, they were practiced outdoors, and later, they took place in large public theaters. King Henry VIII had Bankside Bear Garden built in England in the 1500s. Queen Elizabeth, who reigned in the 16th century, was said to have immensely enjoyed bear baiting and often used it to entertain ambassadors.

Although royalty had control over the baiting sports, determining when and where they would take place, the role of spectator was not confined to members of royalty but rather was inclusive of all ranks of society. Baiting sports were the dominant form of entertainment for all sectors of society at this time. Careers of champion bears were followed as closely as the careers of boxers are today.

The baiting sports produced a market for dogs, bears, and bulls. Many aristocrats became commercial breeders of animals used in baiting sports. The economic stake of the upper class in the sport fostered its continuance after royalty withdrew its support in the 18th century.

Although this was a time when Europeans prided themselves on being civilized and humane, this period can be described as a brutal age when hangings were viewed as popular spectacles, and women were often believed to be witches and publicly burned at the stake as a result. Viewed in such a historical context, it should not be surprising that baiting sports were among the most popular forms of entertainment at this time.

Dogfighting, although practiced throughout this period, was not as prominent as bull and bear baiting and did not become prevalent until the 18th century. Dogfighting rose to prominence at precisely the time when baiting sports, such as bull and bear baiting, lost their royal patronage and were therefore open to legislative reforms.

Throughout the history of baiting sports, there has been opposition. One of the earliest opponents of the baiting sports was the church in Europe. Its opposition to the sport was not on grounds that the activity was immoral, but because bear and bull baiting were being practiced on Sundays and therefore people were not attending church.

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