Dogfighting Is Still Happening — Here’s How the ASPCA Is Fighting Back

And we’ve been putting our word into action for years.In 2025 alone, we rescued nearly 250 dogs from suspected dogfighting.In March 2025, we assisted in a suspected dogfighting case involving dozens of dogs, including puppies, removed from a single property in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania. Just weeks later, we were on the ground again rescuing more than 150 dogs from 10 locations across Dillion and Marion counties, South Carolina. We returned a few months later to rescue dozens more. Our work didn’t stop when the year ended. In early 2026, in coordination with the Dallas Police Department, Texas Department of Public Safety, Dallas Animal Services and Operation Kindness Humane Society, we assisted with the rescue of nearly 200 animals from a suspected dogfighting operation spanning dozens of properties in the Dallas area.Like many of these crime scenes, law enforcement discovered dogs tethered to heavy chains and housed in dilapidated, makeshift kennels, many with scarring that appeared consistent with dogfighting. Dogfighting paraphernalia, including weighted collars, medications, treadmills and fighting pits were also found across the properties. All of the dogs were brought to an ASPCA recovery center to receive critical medical and behavioral care. Many of these dogs are still on their path to recovery.April 8 is National Dogfighting Awareness Day, and as we continue to work alongside law enforcement to bring an end to dogfighting, you can help by learning the signs of dogfighting and how to report suspected cruelty. To get all the information you need, visit aspca.org/fightcruelty. Tags: Animal Cruelty Dogfighting Rescue Work and Field Deployments