Somewhere in Baltimore this weekend, men will probably herd two pit bulls, both heavily muscled from weight training and both driven mad by recent starvation, into an abandoned field or the cellar of a vacant rowhouse. They'll toss another, weaker animal - a cat, rabbit or maybe a blinded dog - in between the canine gladiators and then set them loose to tear one another apart.
The dog that inflicts more puncture wounds might win hundreds of dollars for supporters and be hailed as a champion. The loser might be left to die in an alley.
If this sounds like a far-fetched hypothetical, it's not, according to Baltimore veterinarians and animal control experts. They say the allegations of links between Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick and dogfighting highlight a culture of violence that stretches to Baltimore and surrounding areas.
A source close to Vick with links to the NFL told Sports Illustrated that the quarterback is "heavily influenced by a dogfighting culture that travels to Baltimore, [Washington] D.C. and Virginia for fights."
The possibility of such a ring doesn't surprise authorities who have studied the issue.
"There's definitely a lot of dogfighting in Baltimore," said John Goodwin, deputy manager of dogfighting issues for the Humane Society of the United States. "There's certainly probably a dogfight going on in Baltimore every weekend, but they're hard to find."
Baltimore animal control officials have noted an increase in dogfighting in recent years. They say they are receiving more calls from residents complaining of dogfights, as well as an increase in dogs with injuries linked to dogfighting. They are also finding more carcasses of dogs killed in such matches - some of which were used as "bait" to entice dogs to attack.
"It's been slowly rising," Robert Anderson, director of animal control for Baltimore, said of complaints related to dogfighting. "And part of that is that neighbors are starting to stand up."
City officials - aware of the uptick in dogfighting and other issues related to animal control - are seeking a $136,500 increase in the division's $1.78 million budget that would allow for three additional animal control officers. The City Council's Budget and Appropriations Committee held a hearing yesterday on a funding resolution. The resolution could be reviewed by the full council as soon as Monday; however, only the mayor can make the decision to increase spending.
