Why? I’ll Tell You.
As upsetting as it is to see these two kittens, their fur stained with a permanent marker, these are the lucky ones. They have been rescued from what would be an absolutely horrific death.
Both in Ireland and in the UK – and most likely in many other countries too - there has been a spate of kittens rescued in such a state. They are the victims of a particularly nasty type of gambling, color-coded to make it easier to tell which of the backed kittens lasts the longest.
The reason – illegal dog fights!
There have been incidences of lambs, kids, and other small young animals used to give the dogs a taste for blood, but kittens are the preferred choice. Why? Because even when very young they put up a fight, and this is thought to be a particularly effective way to train dogs ready to fight among themselves.
The problem is such that rescue charities have put out an alert. They are asking people to report anyone that offers to take an entire litter of kittens, and sometimes the parents too, and to also request some form of identification from those that offer homes.
This is quite upsetting to me as I took in an entire family of cats; two adults and four kittens. One of the kittens died not long after from cancer; one of the adults was killed by a weasel, and one, I think, went off after being hit by a car. The other kittens, now six years old, still live with me, along with another one that turned up a year later. I take good care of them all.
What kind of person would attend dog fights, let alone arrange them and put dogs forward for the ring? I know some people say that animals don’t matter; that they are unaware and unintelligent, that they don’t feel pain. I’d say to those people, go and look an animal in the eye – any animal – then take a look in the mirror. You’ll find just as much feeling, compassion, understanding and intelligence in that animal gaze as you will in the nicest of people.
These people... what can I say? Being put in the ring with their own dogs would be too compassionate a fate for what they deserve. The dogs are blameless, only doing what they are supposed to do in trying to win the approval of their owners. I can guarantee that they have been on the receiving end of much abuse themselves, for fighting is not normal behavior in domestic dogs. Once blooded, even when rescued they are almost impossible to keep as pets and are yet more victims of man’s despicable cruelty.
Submitted: June 11, 2020
© Copyright 2023 hullabaloo22. All rights reserved.
Comments
People like this should be tied to the ground, covered in honey and let a million ants go at them.
Thu, June 11th, 2020 3:36pmThis is absolutely horrifying. People who would harm innocent animals are a danger to society. They are devoid of empathy and compassion. Thinking about how this is enjoyable for them is sickening.
Thu, June 11th, 2020 3:36pm
Author
Reply
It is. And it is so easy to turn away, say you don't want to know. That is the kind of attitude that allows them to continually get away with it. I might live in a really small community, but if I found out this was taking place I'd have no hesitation in reporting it.
Thu, June 11th, 2020 8:44amYou meant human kids for the taste of blood? My Goodness if that is true. There are too many cruelties around the world to mention. Asian could be worse than this, the victims could include insects and toddlers.
Thu, June 11th, 2020 4:03pmThis is horrifying and absolutely sickening. The scum who use innocent animals for the purpose of dog fighting and bait, are savages... they deserve to be thrown into a lion's den and pulled limb from limb! Evil beyond belief!
Thu, June 11th, 2020 4:47pmI agree wholeheartedly, man can be unbelievably cruel, sickening; excellent, Hull
Thu, June 11th, 2020 5:10pmPut the guys who do this amongst some grumpy hippos - you'd see ragdolls tossed into the air and most likely bitten in half!
Thu, June 11th, 2020 5:12pmI'm giving a like to your essay for the attention you bring to all forms of animal misuse and abuse. The dismissal of others we share this Earth with speaks of the worst within us. Thanks for this piece hullabaloo22,
Thu, June 11th, 2020 10:15pmYeah well, as a cat lover I find it appalling. They banned greyhound racing in this state (NSW) for a while but it was overturned after a redneck backlash. The greyhound owners use live animals to 'blood' their dogs, which involves live baiting, which is hideous animal cruelty. The rednecks in this town target cats. A couple of women in this One Horse town, Jac and Trish have lost a few cats over the years to what they assume to be acts of redneck cruelty. A myth has recently emerged that cats spread Covid 19, which is just another excuse for animal cruelty and the killing of cats. As we live on two hectares three kilometres from town I think my cat, Tom Tom is safe. Besides, he sleeps all day inside the house, and, yes, he does go out to kill the occasional rabbit at night, but I have to accept this, as they are an introduced pest who cause environmental damage. I'm not terribly happy about it, but he is a natural born killer and he leaves the native birds alone. It's a dilemma.
Fri, June 12th, 2020 12:08am
Author
Reply
My cats hunt, and they are not allowed in the house - not from my choice - but I have given them plenty of warm beds in one of the sheds.
I'd heard that about cats and covid19. The latest research suggests that they can catch it from people, spread it between each other but that they don't pass it on to humans. When I was a kid I was coming home from school one day and a kitten fell into a garden with two dogs in it and they tore it apart. I've never got over that. Dogs are victims in these fights too. As far as I'm concerned, all those involved in it are worse than despicable.
Very sad Mama Hullabaloo! Sadism isn't new, and will always be an underground activity. There's a lot to be outraged about on this little globe of ours (which, I suppose isn't ours to do with as we please). Usianguke
Tue, June 16th, 2020 4:04amFacebook Comments
More Non-Fiction Essays
Discover New Books
Boosted Content from Other Authors
Book / Fantasy
Book / Literary Fiction
Boosted Content from Premium Members
Book / Literary Fiction
Essay / Humor
Book / Historical Fiction
Poem / True Confessions
Other Content by hullabaloo22
Book / Poetry
Book / Poetry
Poem / Other
Celtic-Scribe63
Vile and sickening. I would have no qualms pulling the lever that hangs these sick bastards.
Thu, June 11th, 2020 3:07pmAuthor
Reply
Me too, C-S, but it might bring about a quicker end than they deserve.
Thu, June 11th, 2020 8:41am