Dog-fighting is a highly-illegal type of underground, organized crime in which dogs, usually pit bulls, are bred, trained, and conditioned throughout their lives to participate in vicious fights with other dogs for the entertainment of spectators.
In a dog fight, trained dogs tear at each others' flesh, mauling each other as spectators place bets on which dog will win the fight.
After the match, both dogs are seriously injured with broken bones, massive wounds, and life-threatening injuries.
If the loser of the match does not die, it is usually killed by being shot, beaten, or further tortured.
Dog-fighting is one of the most serious forms of animal torture because the dogs not only suffer during the fights, but are abused their entire lives through neglect or starvation.
Until recent times, dog-fighting has been considered only an animal rights issue.
However, in recent years, community analysts and law-enforcement officials have noted significant correlations between dog-fights and other incidents of serious crime.
In addition, dog-fighting can have a detrimental effect on children and on the communities in which it takes place.

• Statistics show that people who abuse animals are significantly more likely to commit violent crimes than those who do not abuse animals.
  This is especially significant in children: animal abuse is a warning sign that the child is likely to commit violent crimes in the future.
  
• Children who are present at dog-fights may take away an enthusiasm for violence, a limited sense of respect for the law, and an insensitivity to violent acts.
  
• Many people involved directly in dog-fighting are also involved in other criminal activities, such as organized crime, drug trafficking, gang violence, and prostitution.
  
• Many highly-illegal activities take place at the dogfights themselves, especially high-stakes gambling.
  
• Dogs involved in dog-fighting are highly dangerous and aggressive toward other animals, and in some cases, against humans, especially small children.
  

It is not only highly illegal to participate in dog-fighting, but in many states, it is also illegal to even be present at a dogfight.
Dog-fighting is punished severely not only for the aforementioned reasons, but also because smaller punishments would have no real effect on ending the practice.
Small fines and minor punishments would leave no dent in this highly-profitable type of organized crime and would do little to stop the fighting.
For example, in the state of Wisconsin, dog-fighting is punishable as a felony offense.
Even if you were not participating in the dog-fight event yourself, simply being present there is punishable as a misdemeanor.
For more information about dog-fighting, animal cruelty, or other related crimes, visit the website of the Appleton criminal defense attorneys of Kohler, Hart & Priebe.