In hog-dog fighting or “catch dog trials,” dogs chase trapped hogs in front of spectators. Players rank the dogs by how quickly they bite into a hog’s face and pull the screaming animal down. Dogs often injure the hogs horribly during the match, and the hogs may gore the dogs with their tusks.
Hog-dog fighting is most popular in the rural South. Ironically, it may be billed as family entertainment, but it is as violent as dogfighting and can similarly teach children to enjoy cruelty.
To give the dogs an advantage, handlers may outfit the dogs in Kevlar vests, or cut the hogs' tusks off. Dogs in training may be set upon helpless farm hogs. The hogs may die after dogs tear off their snouts, ears, or jaws.
After an exposé on hog-dog fighting, Ala., La., N.C., S.C., Tenn., and Miss. banned it, while attorneys general in Fla. and Texas declared that it violates their states' cruelty laws.
Blood "sport" as family entertainment?
In some rural states, you can follow the squeals of terror and pain from the pigs and cheers from the audience--right to a spectacle of cruelty.
Learn MoreNews & Events
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April 20, 2012
The HSUS Applauds New Mississippi Law Permanently Banning Hog-Dog Fighting
The HSUS applauds the Mississippi legislature and Gov. Phil Bryant for passage of S.B. 2504, which extends the state’s prohibition on a cruel and inhumane form of staged animal combat called hog-dog fighting.
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January 3, 2011
She's Come Full Circle: Laura Maloney Returns to the Front Lines
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July 14, 2009
The HSUS Launches National Animal Fighting Tip Line
Following the nation's largest dogfighting raid, The HSUS has launched a national animal fighting tip line.
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April 6, 2009
The HSUS Applauds Palmetto Family Council for Outreach on Animal Protection Issues
The HSUS commends Palmetto Family Council of South Carolina for its new publication, Dominion and Stewardship: A Biblical View of Animals.
Our Victories
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May 21, 2013
Alabama Legislative Session a Success for Animals
The Alabama legislative session ended on a high note for animals as lawmakers sent HB 27, a bill to strengthen the state’s animal cruelty laws, to Gov. Robert Bentley for his signature, receiving praise from The Humane Society of the United States.
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May 16, 2013
Congressional Votes on Farm Bill Bring Good News, Bad News for Animals
The U.S. House Committee on Agriculture, in taking up the Farm Bill yesterday, approved an amendment to crackdown on spectators at animal fighting ventures, but also approved a destructive, constitutionally questionable amendment to strip states of their right to protect farm animals and other animals from exploitation and abuse.
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April 19, 2013
Arkansas Legislative Session a Success for Animals
The Arkansas State Legislature passed a number of animal protection bills that were signed into law by Gov. Mike Beebe this legislative session, receiving praise from The Humane Society of the United States.
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April 5, 2013
The HSUS Honors Indiana Prosecutor with Award For Animal Cruelty and Fighting Case
The Humane Society of the United States honored Delaware County Deputy Prosecutor Joe E. Orick, of Muncie, Ind., with the Prosecutor Recognition Award, for successfully prosecuting Rahsaan A. Johnson for dogfighting-related charges.
