This type of sport has been going on for awhile, but hasn't been outlawed yet like the pit bull fighting and cock fighting. A bill has been introduced to make it against the law to stage fights between bull dogs and hogs.



Hog-to-dog fights net Phoenix pair

Amanda J. Crawford
The Arizona Republic
Dec. 18, 2004 12:00 AM

A Phoenix couple are in custody after authorities in four states busted up a "hog-dogging" fighting circuit that advertised the bloody battles via the Internet.

Dozens of black boars, bulldogs and hounds were taken into government custody Friday after a raid at the home of James M. Curry and his wife, Jodi Marie Curry, in the 35000 block of North 14th Street about 6:35 a.m.

There also were raids in Alabama, Georgia and South Carolina on Friday morning. advertisement




"What you have here are hogs that can be very, very cruel, especially if they are not neutered," said Katie Decker, spokeswoman for the state Department of Agriculture. She said the fights pitted Russian black boars, which were herded by the hounds, against American bulldogs in an arena. One hog and one dog then fight each other.

"You take these dogs that have an aggressive nature, such as American bulldogs, you starve them or get them underweight and then you put a really big ham in front of them," she said.

The Department of Agriculture officials were joined by officers with the Maricopa and Yavapai county sheriff's offices in the raid at the Valley home. Officers also found nearly three pounds of marijuana and an SKS rifle. The pair face drug, weapon, child-abuse and animal-cruelty charges. Three children, ages 11, 9 and 8, were taken into custody by Child Protective Services, according to Yavapai County sheriff's officials.

Although Arizona has laws outlawing dog fighting and cock fighting, there is no separate law banning fights between hogs and dogs, Decker said. Animal-cruelty charges can be pursued when someone knowingly causes harm to an animal.

If there's a loophole allowing dogs to fight hogs, lawmakers will be quick to try to close it, said Sen. Jay Tibshraeny, R-Chandler, the incoming Senate majority whip.

"Once that hits the radar screen at the Legislature, I think you will see a bill real quick," Tibshraeny said. "Nobody likes to see cruelty to animals. I've never heard of anything like that before."

Police believe the fights were taking place in the Cordes Lakes area of Yavapai County, where the investigation originated. The Yavapai County Sheriff's Office was first tipped off in October to the fights at a place known as "EZ Ranch" in Cordes Lakes.

Officials seized 32 Russian boars, 12 adult bulldogs and hounds and a litter of five pups, which were being advertised for sale. The dogs are being treated at Prescott Animal Shelter for being underweight. The hogs are in state custody at a private residence in Chino Valley. The animals had scars but no new injuries, Decker said.

Thanks for the artical.

Whats next I ask? When will people stop hurting animals? I think without people on this earth. Animals could live a wonderful happy life. How sad.

I agree with you critter.
People just do it for money an entertainment.

They are scum....

Good! It's about time. Hopefully it'll pass. I don't see why it wouldn't. Awful *sport*, if it is considered a sport, which it shouldn't be. Thanks for the information.

i think that bulldogs and pits are still used legitimately for hog hunting down in the southern states but what these people were doing is just outright cruel. if humans were not on this planet the animals would be a lot safer, and hapier.

That has got to be the most horrible thing I have ever heard of. I still say if a person is cruel to an animal, they will be cruel to anybody or anything. What a waste, and they call that entertainment, they are a bunch of sickoooooo's.

I feel I need to speak up about this subject as it is my breed that is being condemned. I can say that there is very little truth to that article in regards to what actually goes on. Another media driven article trying to make bullbreeds and thier owners terrible in the public eye. Hog hunting is still very much a part of many peoples lives. American Bulldogs were bred as catch dogs and still are today. They are used to put food on the table for many families... no different than someone hunting deer, etc.

The pen catches or "fights" the article speaks about are not at all like they describe. It is not a blood or money sport. (although I'm sure as with anything, there are people that are abusing it in this manner) It is used as a training tool for either young dogs in training or to brush up on a seasoned dogs skills. Animals are rarely injured in pen catches. The young dogs chase and catch the hog.. usually on the ear. The dogs are never taught to catch at the throat or body.. only the ears. The most injury a hog gets during a pen catch is maybe a few scratches on thier ears. The dog's job on an actual hunt is to catch and hold that hog until the hunter arrives. They are not trained to kill the hog.. they are never used to kill the hog. If the hog is to be killed, the hunter is the one who does that. Wild hogs are very aggressive animals. Not only do they tear up hundreds of acres of land, but they have killed many men, dogs and other animals. Hog hunting is much more dangerous for the dogs and hunters than it is for the hogs.

Another thing I wanted to address was the "starving" of the dogs before a catch. I can assure you that no hog dogs are starved ever, especially before a catch. Any hunting dog has to be in excellent shape to handle the endurance involved. An underweight animal could not do the job.

Last but not least, I know the people who were arrested in the article. I did not know them well, but being as I raise and show American Bulldogs, I saw them and exchanged hello's at every dog show I attended. Thier dogs were very well loved, and in excellent condition. None of thier dogs (or hogs)are mistreated or unhealthy in any way.These people actually ran a hunting school which taught dogs and thier owners how to hunt.. they would issue catch titles as well as take people out on actual wild boar hunts. Although I do not approve of the fact they had Marijuana in thier home, I just feel they are being portrayed in an unjust way by the media.

I just wanted to expalin a bit about the subject as I hate when people are mislead by the media. This in my opinion, is no different than the media making all bull breeds out to be dangerous killers, or states banning certain breeds, etc.

***Edited By: BullyMom on 12/21/2004 12:19:29 AM***
Reason: spelling error

BullyMom, thank you for your wonderful explanation. Weird how the media can screw stull like that up, no?

When the dogs hunt wild boars, do they do it in packs? I've looked at Laika websites and they are used to hunt boars as well but they do so in packs so there is MUCH less of a likelyhood that the dogs wil be seriously injured, especially in the dogs have a lot of experience.

~Seij

No problem about clearing that up. It needed to be done! As far as hunting in the wild, it generally goes something like this:

When they first start a hunt, bay dogs (3 or more) are released before the bulldogs (usually a type of hound that tracks hogs by scent and bays when they have found the hogs). Once the hounds have found the hogs, the bulldogs are released to catch. Generally 2-4 bulldogs are used at any one time. Not many people have used a single dog and lived to tell about it. Once the bulldogs have caught the hogs, they hold them by the ears until the owner arrives to release them.

I myself do not hunt, but have friends who do. From what I hear it is very strenuous and dangerous work, but definitely exciting. I know of many people who hunt with dogs just to feed thier family.

Sorry, but I have to disagree. This practice of pitting dog against hog in an enclosed area has nothing in common with dogs hunting hogs. This is strictly entertainment. I must not be the only one to feel this way being that hog dog rodeoes are already outlawed in most States and becoming outlawed in the remainder of the States.

You can go to the Humane Society site and go down to the bottom of the page and click on to see a video of a hog dog rodeo.

http://www.hsus.org/

As I said before, there can be some people who abuse it. The competition isn't needed, but training your dogs in pens is. Training in a controlled envirenment is safer for all involved. Every person who hunts hogs in the wild, trains thier dogs in a catch pen.

I do not agree with the competitions.. I see no need for them. Advertising them as fun events is just idiotic. It is a training tool. The dogs are not pitted against the hogs no matter what you might believe. They catch the hog by the ear and then are released. That is all. It is no bloodsport, no fighting, no starved dogs, nothing like that. Maybe some scratches, but nothing like the article describes. Of course the ASPCA and any animal rights group is going to blow it out of proprtion because that is what get's people's attention. If they told the story truthfully, no one would want to get involved.

I love animals more than anything. I have a degree in animal behavior and training, worked in wildlife and domestic animal rescue and rehabilitation, wildlife education, vet tech..... If I felt that there was something wrong with hog catching, I would be the first to say something about it. I have been to a few of these catches and seen everything first hand. No animals were harmed, everyone was very professional. The animals were in excellent condition.

All in all I guess we are just going to have to agree to disagree.

heres the deal people still do use there dogs in the south to hunt hogs, they are tested in pens with hogs to see which dogs will do the work. the problem here is the blanket coverage of this practice. i just heard that a well known pit breeder had all his pits euthanized because they were considered "game tested" for working hogs. its not fair, where does it stop blanket knee jerk legislation hurts more than it helps, "if guns are outlawed only outlaws will have guns" type of thing. you have people in georgia who hunt hog for generations and now they are labled as evil people because they test there dogs to see again which ones will do the job, this is a major food source for them yes they can go to the store but do you realize how much money is saved by hunting your own food? i have a problem with this because the breed of dog i am involved in is often used alongside ab's to hunt boar. this i can attest does not make a dog viscious. ive seen one of the best hog hunting dogs know throughout georgia, after retiring and he is a perfect housepet. you CANNOT blanket cover something that has so many facetts to it you are taking away a way of life. i have never hog tested my dogs as there are none where i live. but i will say if i were born and raised in the environment which provides in this manner i would hog test dogs. probably be ostracized for this but its my opinion and thats that i just read bully moms response and realize i didnt have to say a word thanks bully mom.

***Edited By: justme on 12/24/2004 4:36:32 PM***
Reason: because i read the rest of the post

There is nothing wrong with the sport of hunting or hunting for food. There's nothing wrong with training a dog to hunt.

What is wrong is needless pitting animal against animal in an enclosed area for the sheer entertainment and making a PROFIT off of it. When they charge $12 for adults, $6 for kids, kids under 5 get in free, I'd say take your kids to the park or a movie instead of watching and listening to an animal attack another.

In no absolute way is this compared to the sport of hunting. If this was a fair hunt, I'd say let the dog do what the dog is suppose to do, HUNT in the wide open range.

The media will never stop the hype about bully breeds.It sells the news.It's up to us as owners to keep the general public educated to what the truth really is.Thank god for public forums like this,because some one comes along and reads the real truth behind the sick media hype,it helps alot.Owning 2 APBT ,every time I talk to some one I don't know about dogs,and they hear the breed I own,I always hear from them,aren't they mean and eat small kids .The media was the one who had a hand in destroying this breeds once good name,plus bad owners and byb .We as owners of these bully breeds have to protect our dogs and keep saying what the real truth is,public forums help.Merry Christmas every one.