Relationship Between Scarring and Dog Aggression in Pit Bull-Type Dogs Involved in Organized Dogfighting

Abstract

Simple SummaryOrganizations responsible for placing dogs seized from dogfighting investigations often must determine if a particular dog should be euthanized because it is too dangerous or if it is safe to place the dog in an adoptive home. In this study, we examine whether the extent of scarring from dog fighting is a reliable predictor of aggression towards other dogs and therefore could be used to help make that decision. We found that dogs with 10 or more scars in the three body zones where dogfighting injuries tend to be concentrated were more likely, on average, to show aggression to other dogs. The relationship is imperfect, however. Many unscarred dogs were dog aggressive while some highly scarred dogs were not. Therefore, we recommend also assessing a dog’s behavior before making decisions about its disposition.AbstractWhen pit bull-type dogs are seized in an investigation of organized dogfighting, heavily scarred dogs are often assumed to be highly dog aggressive due to a history of fighting. These dogs may be deemed dangerous and euthanized based on scarring alone. We analyzed our existing data on dogs seized from four dogfighting investigations, examining the relationship between the dogs’ scars with aggression towards other dogs. Scar and wound data were tallied in three body zones where dogfighting injuries tend to be concentrated. Dog aggression was assessed using a model dog and a friendly stimulus dog in a standardized behavior evaluation. Scarring and dog aggression were significantly related, more strongly among male (Fisher’s Exact p < 0.001) than female dogs (Fisher’s Exact p = 0.05). Ten or more scars in the three body zones was a reasonable threshold with which to classify a dog as high risk for dog aggression: 82% of males and 60% of females with such scarring displayed dog aggression. However, because many unscarred dogs were dog aggressive while some highly scarred dogs were not, we recommend collecting behavioral information to supplement scar counts when making disposition decisions about dogs seized in dogfighting investigations.

The Welfare of Fighting Dogs: Wounds, Neurobiology of Pain, Legal Aspects and the Potential Role of the Veterinary Profession

“…Some evidence suggests that certain breeds present more aggressive behaviors than others. However, as found by Miller et al [ 15 ], not all dogs seized from dogfighting are aggressive with other dogs, this could be because the dog is in its early stages of training and therefore may still preserve non-aggressive social behaviors towards other dogs. Nevertheless, from a scientific and epidemiological point of view it would be risky to argue that any specific breed of dog is more likely to bite people or other animals [ 16 ], because so many factors influence the development of an animal’s character: environment, sex, age, education or training, nutrition, isolation, and socialization, among others [ 17 ].…”

Eternally Vulnerable: The Pathology of Abuse in Domestic Animals

“…Fighting dogs have characteristic bite wounds and scars concentrated on the front legs, head, and muzzle (59). The number, severity, and presence of wounds of different ages distinguishes wounds in fighting dogs from the bite wound patterns and injuries in spontaneous fights between dogs of similar size (18).…”

Efficacy of Azithromycin and Compounded Atovaquone for Treatment of Babesia gibsoni in Dogs

“…Therefore, diagnosis and management of infectious diseases were of little value. There is currently a growing trend to assess dogs both medically and behaviorally to determine their suitability for adoption into homes . Besides the obvious animal cruelty involved, fighting dogs are at increased risk for several infectious diseases .…”

“…There is currently a growing trend to assess dogs both medically and behaviorally to determine their suitability for adoption into homes. 2,3 Besides the obvious animal cruelty involved, fighting dogs are at increased risk for several infectious diseases. 3 This creates a potential risk for the spread of disease when other dogs are exposed in dogfights, in animal shelters, and after adoption.…”