Dogfight organizers to be charged
@ 11:40 am 
I don’t get this sport at all, but it’s existed for hundreds- and possibly even thousands- of-years, so maybe I shouldn’t be surprised that it still goes on. I’ve read that everyone from LA gangs to rednecks in the southern United States involve themselves in this activity. Earlier this year, some NFL football players were convicted of running a major dogfighting operation on a large, secluded tract of land bought specially for their bloody venture. And now four-people from southern Finland are to be charged in an unrelated case:
Finnish police launched an investigation and quickly made arrests after the British Broadcasting Corporation informed them in July that an undercover reported had witnessed a dogfight in Finland.
I like dogs…little friendly ones that are sort of smart. And despite not being gay yet, I even like poodles! —but perhaps not of the boisterous and snappy variety. Big friendly dogs are ok too, I suppose. However, I could never warm-up to an aggressive attack dog that might suffer from a momentary lapse of reason and chew my nose off while I’m sleeping. There’s a fine line between feed and feeder, you know.
Unfortunately, I had two-negative encounters with dogs this year. In both cases, the owners let their not-so-little monsters roam untethered; and suddenly I became the object of their aggressions. Luckily, in both cases, administering a few hard kicks saved me from serious bacterial infections. The best defense is a good offense in such a case. I’m just glad I never encountered a pack of trained fighting dogs after digging their way out of the kennel to go on a people-eating rampage.
Any thoughts from dog-people out there? Has anyone’s poodle been eaten by a pit bull? Or visa versa? Has anyone been eaten by a pit bull? Or visa versa?
When I’m on walking paths or the sidewalk I always have my dog leashed up for HIS safety, not yours. When I’m out in the woods, I don’t have him on a leash. I’ve gotten a few dirty looks and comments but I could care less. If I see someone else walking through the woods, I’ll try to avoid them. But my dog wouldn’t hurt a fly, he might try and lick you or sniff your butt, and that’s at his meanest. Anyone who knows anything about dog breeds would know that shelties are nice dogs. But not everyone knows breeds so some may see a poodle and get scared.
Dogs needs to be off the leash. They need to be able to fetch balls and frisbees and run around. The problem is when owners lock them in the house all day, don’t stimulate them mentally or physically, then take them outside and they’re wild and crazy. There’s lots of great dog parks around the Helsinki area, they should be utilized more often by their owners.
Comment by Phil — Tue, Dec 18th, 2007 @ 12:28 pm
Oh, and “dog fighting” is not a “sport”. People involved in that should be thrown in jail.
Comment by Phil — Tue, Dec 18th, 2007 @ 12:29 pm
I got bit by a dog as kid while playing outside. Got 30 stitches to my hand. Few years after that I was still so scared of dogs that I had to change side of the road if a dog was passing me by.
Now days I think human is exploiting animals keeping them pets.
Comment by doogs — Tue, Dec 18th, 2007 @ 1:00 pm
I’m more a cat-person (I have two of those), but I have nothing against dogs! People organizing dogfights are sick and twisted and they belong in jail.
Comment by Pekka — Tue, Dec 18th, 2007 @ 2:05 pm
I don’t think the 3-4 cats living in my yard that I feed are being exploited. They are exploiting me!
My dog is 15 years old and has a large tumour on her butt, but is still vibrant. The vet didn’t want to operate on her - he said that she could become incontainant from an operation there.
I like Alaskan dogs - Malamut and Husky - nice looking dogs and nicely behaving as well.
Comment by Sirkuspelle — Tue, Dec 18th, 2007 @ 2:22 pm
These assholes should be given jail sentences. What if one of those dogs had managed to escape, it could have attacked even children with really bad consequences. It is not just cruelty against animals.
Comment by tim73 — Tue, Dec 18th, 2007 @ 2:46 pm
I know someone who has a Pit Bull..evil looking hound ..so is her husband…I think he probably bought it as symbol/weapon/threat.
When she told us that she had one I was a bit taken back as they are illegal in both UK and Canada..she has three kids.
I told her to be carefull as they are unpredicable..and badly breed… on purpose.
“Ah än on niin kiilti…ei koskaan purra”…
That was last summer…I asked only last week when I saw her without the dog…
“How is the dog behaving?”.
“Badly ..tried to kill next door dog when the kids had it out in the yard..now the kids are terrified of it…has to wear a muzzle now!…my husband does not know how to control it..one more miss-deed…hyvästi!”
I asked “dog, or husband, or both?”
Comment by karhu — Tue, Dec 18th, 2007 @ 3:03 pm
Rotweilers can also be quite nasty. One couple I know had to put theirs down, because it would not obey the woman. I was chased by one in traffic while I was on a bicycle once. I haven’t had the pleasure of meeting a Pit Bull Terrier.
Comment by Sirkuspelle — Tue, Dec 18th, 2007 @ 3:54 pm
Well, any breed can behave badly, especially the shitty little ankle-biters that are so popular in Helsinki. My 160 pound love muffin of a Saint Bernard is terrified of little white dogs since one of the Jack Russells in the dog park ran after him as a puppy and chased him out of the park, across Bulevardi and had his nuts in his teeth the whole time. I really hate Jack Russells and this example of the breed didn’t help my loathing much. All of the aggressive little dogs had idiots for owners.
That being said, there were also a number of pit bulls, one of whom was always rather aggressive in the park. One day the dog went after mine, cornered him behind one of the benches and tried to chew on his head. Finally I yelled at the guy when it was apparent that nobody else was going to say a peep to this guy and he got all fussy saying that the dog was being, I shit you not, “playful”. I told him that he was an idiot, that the dog was going to kill someone (as the dog made a move towards me when I pulled him off mine) and that the dog park was for friendly dogs and owners. Pit Bulls/Staffordshire Terriers are bred for fighting. I know that owners of these dogs do think that they can be kept as docile pets, but I’ve rarely seen a 100% well behaved Pit Bull. You always have to wonder if/when they’re going to snap.
There are no bad dogs, only stupid and negligent owners.
And dog fighters should be starved, stuck in a ring and forced to fight to the death.
Comment by hfb — Tue, Dec 18th, 2007 @ 5:02 pm
it all depends on owners…they can turn a pittbull or Doberman into killer dogs..
bottom line:
blame owners not dogs
Comment by Em — Tue, Dec 18th, 2007 @ 5:15 pm
What, no waterboarding of dog fighters? Standards sure are low here.
But then it is Ok to starve them, make them fight to the death. Gee that are you all thinking? Terrorists get off free, dog fighters get the max.
Comment by winter, "Yea, Proton Power, now in remission" — Tue, Dec 18th, 2007 @ 5:17 pm
I don’t understand how anyone in their right mind could consider dogfighting a sport either. It’s certainly extremely creul and it’s right they are being charged.
I think maybe the English have a good idea in banning some of these more vicious dog breeds. It’s unfair and unsafe for especially small children, if they are left alone with such an animal (particularly if it is frustrated by being poorly handled by an owner)
Comment by JG — Tue, Dec 18th, 2007 @ 5:59 pm
I was bit on the face when I was young by a dog, lower lip needed stiches but I was only about 5 so I cant remember how many or much of the incident.. but I still think dogs are great (NB. I hate cats with a loathing)
I do think its the owners at fault most of the time, a dog that knows its place. ie lower than any human and reinforced not to challange for a higher place will learn its place and not be a issue. Dogs that think they run the house or are #2 in the family after ‘master’ are a concern .
My old dog, RIP, was a alsatian/lab/misc mongral had over the yeas all of my brothers and sisters kids rolling/pullin/playing with him and he never even made a growl.. except at me and then only cos he knew he and I could play fight and its OK.
when I was young I use to do the same with my aunts dog, a boxer and all he would do was to suck on your hand/arm etc and get your shirt slopping wet with slobber..
both dogs new not to bite and not to chalange a human, even a kid that was pulling its tail..
thats my 0.02€, I blame stuid owners who buy the wrong type of dog for their situation or more as a status symbol not a family friend.
Comment by ChrisK — Tue, Dec 18th, 2007 @ 7:59 pm
have you read Vick’s letter sent to the judge..
it is too funny
Comment by Anonymous — Tue, Dec 18th, 2007 @ 8:13 pm
So you are not gay yet. Are you planning on becoming one soon?
And people… shouldn’t you be working like 9to5 or so, there are just too many comments here that seem to appear during office hours….
Comment by Täh? — Tue, Dec 18th, 2007 @ 10:11 pm
@15
I was wondering if anyone else caught that… ‘not gay yet’
Also aren’t office hours over in Europe? I know I am sitting at my desk right now, but then I’m in the really far west of North America and it’s only lunchtime here.
Oh and FYI, Michael Vick got 23 months for dog fighting, which if you watch enough American rap videos you’ll see that it is indeed a part of the ‘gangsta’ culture here. It’s pretty unfortunate that these ignorant people will let two animals rip each other to shreds.
On that note too, we’ve had several Darwinian dogfights in my local area recently, namely (domesticated) dogs getting literally eaten by wolves. Alaska, what a place! Well I’ve got to go, lunch is way over.
Comment by RealTrue — Wed, Dec 19th, 2007 @ 12:00 am
#15: Office hours of which time zone?
FWIW, being allergic perhaps I could not be described as a dog person. I do enjoy short term exposure, however. I like German shepherds a lot. Properly trained they are wise and loyal companions. I remember one that a friend of the family had way back in the 70s with particular fondness. But there are bad apples among them. A classmate had one that had some issues. They kept it in the closet when there were visitors in the house because it went completely berserk. So, once they let it out and I tried to introduce myself by slowly extending my hand for him to sniff (kind of like a formal introduction in dog circles). Usually sane dogs conclude that this visitor is cool for now. This one bit me in the nuts. Ouch. Didn’t start fancying poodles even after that, though. While I’m not very big on negative eugenics when humans are involved, in the case of animals I think it’s an acceptable way.
Fast forward to army days. One of the regulars, a lieutenant, had a pitbull that roamed the premises pretty freely. It seemed like a nice dog, although the “sticks” it liked to carry around were more like logs at least the size of the animal itself. An isolated military garrison is probably a great environment for a dog: plenty of space and lots of subordinates - it outranked most of us grunts after all. I heard afterwards that it had once raped the ear of one particularly moronic sergeant as he had passed out on the lieutenant’s floor. I wonder what kind of disciplinary action follows from raping a superior officer, in the ear no less. Enough casings for now before Punty blows his top.
Comment by Freeridin' Franklin — Wed, Dec 19th, 2007 @ 12:13 am
I have been puzzled by an otherwise intelligent relative who doesn’t seem to mind that her otherwise social dog bites people. It’s a minuscule, toy-size dog, but it’s teeth are pointy like squirrel’s.
Last summer I was at a party at their summer place and the dog was after my grilled sausage. When I didn’t give it a share of the sausage, the dog bit me. I hit the dog back. And immediately I was the offending one, needing to explain my behavior! It was taken as a given that the dog loves sausages and cannot control itself when a luring hot sausage is around.
The owner seems to regard the dog as a group member to be given “right of self expression”. She probably regards the dog so unintimidating that its tiny growls and bites are just comical. The dog adores her and has not bitten her, just growled and shown its teeth.
I’ve told her a couple of times that she should do something about the snappy side of the dog, but she seems oblivious to the suggestions. And maybe by now it would be too late to teach the old dog new tricks. Anyway, I find the whole setup somewhat twisted, and yet I suspect that it is common.
Comment by Mara — Wed, Dec 19th, 2007 @ 12:16 am
RealTrue:
“On that note too, we’ve had several Darwinian dogfights in my local area recently, namely (domesticated) dogs getting literally eaten by wolves.”
It happens from time to time in more remote areas of Finland as well and has even been discussed here, though I’m too lazy to dig up the article.
I wonder what forces these geniuses to keep their dogs outside unprotected when they know that there are wolves in the area. They will rather wail about the Lords of Helsinki and Rysseli/Russels (that’s juntti for Brussels) not allowing them to shoot all the wolves than build a protective fence around the dog cabin for the price of the ammunition. Why, Lord forbid me to even suggest taking the dog inside. Oh, then you’d have to house train it.
Comment by Freeridin' Franklin — Wed, Dec 19th, 2007 @ 12:23 am
#17 LOL!
Comment by Mara — Wed, Dec 19th, 2007 @ 12:30 am
So you see, pitbulls can be lovers as well as fighters.
Comment by Freeridin' Franklin — Wed, Dec 19th, 2007 @ 12:59 am
I have a theory that people with spoiled/badly trained dogs as in Mara’s example at #18 are actually closet cat people. You know, if you don’t take trouble showing dog it’s place, he begins to think that he is the boss around. A cat thinks she’s already the boss no matter what but she is usually too lazy, too indifferent and too cool to start bossing the people around her. So the freudian slip of abovementioned people is that they treat a dog like a cat.
A propos, one lieutenant in my service place had a pug (this rather small dog with an ugly, flat face). It was called ‘Körmy’ and had even this military style airforce blue sweater with seargent major (vääpeli) insignia on shoulders.
Comment by Antti rn — Wed, Dec 19th, 2007 @ 9:16 am
Now days I think human is exploiting animals keeping them pets.
Dogs needs humans, that’s just part of their nature, you just can’t release them out into the wild. Some people definitely exploit their pets, you know the dog kept in a cage in the back yard who howls all night long in -15C temperatures? That’s abuse.
But our dog is part of our family, he gets treated no different than a child. If someone thinks that is exploitation, than I guess they think having babies is exploitation as well.
Comment by Phil — Wed, Dec 19th, 2007 @ 12:00 pm
Having babies is exploitation. Mine had to do chores, cut the grass, even build computers for my side job’s.
So, what is wrong with that? They get fed, have a roof, and get to work for it. The other way would let them become some kind of ward, teaching them welfare, so they can love the nanny state when they get old?
Comment by winter, "Yea, Proton Power, now in remission" — Wed, Dec 19th, 2007 @ 7:23 pm
My puppy, Olive, is half pitt bull and is honestly the smartest dog I’ve had the pleasure to be around. Have you heard of “The Dog Whisperer”, Cesar Millan? He says that the reason for poor behavior is lack of exercise, and my dog is living proof. At about 9 months old she started chewing up pillows, blankets, and clothing. We realized that she was bored and needed more exercise during the day, so we made arrangements for her to go to a “puppy daycare” while we’re at work. She’s 15 months old now and has stopped her problem-chewing. We’re living such sedentary lifestyles now and we expect our dogs to follow suit. They have to get their energy out somehow, so some dogs destroy the house - some attack people or other dogs. If you don’t have the time to exercise your dog, don’t get one.
Comment by Lil Sis — Wed, Dec 19th, 2007 @ 8:12 pm
Phil:
“Dogs needs humans, that’s just part of their nature, you just can’t release them out into the wild.”
Have you heard of feral dogs, specifically pariah dogs?
winnie:
“So, what is wrong with that? They get fed, have a roof, and get to work for it.”
I’m sure there are many pimps in Bangkok who feel the same way.
Comment by Freeridin' Franklin — Wed, Dec 19th, 2007 @ 11:04 pm
“If you don’t have the time to exercise your dog, don’t get one.” - Lil Sis
You apparently don’t have the time (ie puppy daycare), but you got one.
Comment by Dave the Davelator — Thu, Dec 20th, 2007 @ 3:26 pm
“But our dog is part of our family, he gets treated no different than a child.” - Phil
I just love it when pet owners compare their crap factory furballs that live to a max of 14 years to actual human beings.
No, a dog is not like a child. It is a dog.
Comment by Dave the Davelator — Thu, Dec 20th, 2007 @ 3:29 pm
Phil: “Some people definitely exploit their pets, you know the dog kept in a cage in the back yard who howls all night long in -15C temperatures?”
It’s a sickening feeling knowing that a dog spends its entire life that way. Fortunately, we don’t see that very often in Finland. At least I don’t.
Comment by Kristian — Fri, Dec 21st, 2007 @ 2:17 am
Kristian:
“It’s a sickening feeling knowing that a dog spends its entire life that way. Fortunately, we don’t see that very often in Finland. At least I don’t.”
When the municipality of Tuusula was selling lots in the now-famous Jokela a few years ago, we went to see them. It was in the middle of the winter, temperature was in the -20s and judging by the cacophony of barking and howling everyone kept their dog outside. We didn’t buy.
Comment by Freeridin' Franklin — Fri, Dec 21st, 2007 @ 7:52 am
I have 2 cats and 2 dogs. The dogs have never intentionally bitten me, but the cats on the other hand… You need to be really careful when stroking them!
@ #28 Ofcource dogs aren’t humans. If you had to choose to save your dog or a random person from a fire, everyone (SHOULD) go for the person in danger! But that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t treat dogs or any other animals well as we can.
And sure dogs can be part of your family. Not all human familymembers are able to have intellectual conversations with you either, or are mentally disabled persons not people to you? Besides, animals CAN communicate and express their feelings.
You have to remember one thing: we are not that special. Humans are just another specie of animal, we have evolved from the same protozoans as the dogs!
Comment by Lutz — Fri, Dec 21st, 2007 @ 10:43 pm
Luckily, in both cases, administering a few hard kicks saved me from serious bacterial infections.
I wouldn’t advise anyone to attack (kick, beat etc) dogs that are acting aggressively - you’ll only make the situation worse. Dogs that are barking, snapping, leaping around you etc are trying to scare you - you have to act like you’re in control of the situation and minimize the risks. If a drunk starts yelling obscenities while you pass by in the street, you don’t stop to kick them, do you?
Telling the dog(s) “no!” or “stay!” with a commanding voice and/or walking slowly away would be better (no running either, that just triggers the hunting reflexes!)
I understand that dogs can be very scary, no matter what their breed or size is and yes, some dogs might flee when you start kicking them - but most dogs will stay and defend themselves. And looking at this from the dog’s (and the owner’s) point of view - a dog that has been kicked by a random person could develop serious trust issues and become even more aggressive. I know that dogs that don’t behave shouldn’t run free, but it’s the owner’s fault, not the animal’s - so please don’t make them pay for it.
Comment by Missä taito loppuu, siinä väkivalta alkaa... — Thu, Dec 27th, 2007 @ 4:29 am
“you don’t stop to kick them, do you?”
Depends on level of aggressiveness and how close they get. Physically aggressive drunks aren’t usually encountered in Finland though…maybe in some of the bars, but I don’t usually go there
“some dogs might flee when you start kicking them - but most dogs will stay and defend themselves.”
Me too. I’m always prepared for dog attacks, and have dealt with them before.
Comment by Kristian — Tue, Jan 1st, 2008 @ 10:11 am