Bait dog

“Bait dog” is a term used to describe a dog that was used as "bait" in dog fighting rings. We hear about “bait animals” a lot in the news and in the rescue community, but there’s not much objective evidence that this is a common practice in organized dog fighting.

“Professional and amateur dog fighters do not use ‘bait dogs’. That is a term that has been used and sensationalized by the media. Fighters will “roll” their dogs (a term used to test a dog to see if he/she has game). They will have the dog fight an established fighter to see if the dog continues even after they are exhausted and/or getting beat; this is probably where the term ‘bait dog’ came from. If the dog does not fight, quits, or does not show promise, the poor dog would be killed since they are considered a disgrace and of no value to the fighter.”

–Janette Reever, Manager of Animal Fighting Response with the Humane Society of the United States

Dog fighting is illegal in North America. A “bait dog” is evidence of illegal activity and to allow that dog to wander or end up in the shelter would be incredibly foolhardy. It’s certainly possible that wannabe dog fighters use and abandon “bait dogs”, but one has to ask if they do so based on hearing about the practice so often in the media. We don’t hear about “bait dogs” seized during dog fighting busts. The dogs from these seizures are typically fighting or breeding dogs (also victims of abuse, but rarely attract the same degree of attention).

So how are there so many “bait dogs” in rescue?

Dogs can end up in the shelter with cropped ears, injuries, scars, and wounds for many reasons. If they are stray or roaming, it’s highly possible they have had a scraps with dogs, cats, or wildlife. Dogs within a home can fight for any number of reasons. For some reason, certain rescuers are quick to jump to the most dramatic and ugly conclusions.

We don’t believe they are always doing it deliberately, but it’s certainly a fact that a “bait dog” story generates a lot more emotion, clicks, and attention than a profile of a regular old stray. One can argue that the end justifies the means, but we don’t agree. What do we really accomplish when we re-home a dog or raise awareness about a cause by exploiting emotions?

By applying a “bait dog” label, we are marketing this dog as a victim, and encouraging an adoption out of pity rather than suitability to the home. Because of its imagined past, the owners may feel inclined to write off behaviour issues. Have you ever seen someone with a misbehaving dog try to explain the behaviour along the lines of, “It’s not his fault. He’s a rescue!”? While we of course need to be compassionate and work within our dog’s limitations, it’s demeaning to assume that because they have a sad background (real or imagined) they don't need to meet a basic standard of conduct – particularly if this translates to aggression or dangerous behaviour.

We are not downplaying the tragedies that occur to some dogs, and the abuse that some dogs suffer. But the abuse shouldn’t define them. Imagined abuse should definitely not define them! To the rescues and advocates out there – let’s leave the past behind, especially when we don’t know anything about it. Let’s honour these dogs by seeing them as they are today, and working for a better tomorrow.