There is no way to respond to the comment by gentlemanonce without violating the directive of the WKRG webmaster.

But I think WKRG should step in and set this record straight. It isn’t up to me to speak for the news station or the individual reporter.

An informant from inside the dogfighting world who spoke on ESPN’s Outside the Lines told reporters about “a whole roster of names of professional athletes that we know are involved in dogfighting. ... I bet not even 10 percent have come to light.“ Given these disturbing allegations and the numerous recent cases of animal abuse involving NFL players, the NFL needs to act vigorously and with authority to stamp this out immediately. Don’t they make enough money?  They have to abuse, torture and gamble on dogs?  Or is there another reason?  They’re sadistic, cruel with no regard for life of any kind.

Dog fighting rings use household pets as “bait” to train the dogs to fight.  They will steal your pet and it will die in the training process.  In other cases, they will go and collect pets from the want ads.  Do not advertise “free puppies and kittens.“  They could be used to train fighting dogs.

Many criminals involved in dog fighting are habitual offenders in other areas.  Many are convicted drug users and distributors, sexual offenders, violent offenders from crimes ranging from armed robbery to murder.  The overwhelming incidents of other criminal activity in addition to dog fighting has prompted many states to form specific law enforcement task forces to deal with dog fighting units.  Where there is smoke there is fire and where there is organized dog fighting, there is much more crime.  It should be reported and stopped.  If anyone knows about a dog fighting ring, report it.  Don’t be afraid.  Stand up for what is right and what is legal.

I have read the comments that WKRG has added on this forum and there is nothing supporting dog figthing from Chad Petri or anyone else.  That is wishful thinking.  And it is not an underground sport, it is a criminal act, just like dealing drugs or any other illegal act.  It is also cruel, violent and dangerous.  Someone that can train a dog to fight and kill and abuse that dog in the name of a sporting event has serious emotional issues.  If it is an underground sport, it is because people make it one to hide it from law enforcement officials.  When Michael Vick was arrested, he didn’t say “oops, I thought I was just participating in an underground sport.“  He said “I’m sorry.“  Not because he really was sorry, because he got caught.  That’s what he is sorry about.

Why should dogfighting be a felony offense?
There are several compelling reasons. Because dogfighting yields such large profits for participants, the minor penalties associated with misdemeanor convictions are not a sufficient deterrent. Dogfighters merely absorb these fines as part of the cost of doing business. The cruelty inherent in dogfighting should be punished by more than a slap on the hand. Dogfighting is not a spur-of-the-moment act; it is a premeditated and cruel practice.
Those involved in dogfighting go to extensive lengths to avoid detection by law enforcement, so investigations can be difficult, dangerous, and expensive. Law enforcement officials are more inclined to investigate dogfighting if it is a felony. As more states make dogfighting a felony offense, those remaining states with low penalties will become magnets for dogfighters.
Do some states already have felony laws?
Yes. Dogfighting is illegal in all 50 states and a felony offense in almost every state.

Numerous law enforcement raids have unearthed many disturbing facets of this illegal “sport.“ Young children are sometimes present at the events, which can promote insensitivity to animal suffering, enthusiasm for violence and a lack of respect for the law. Illegal gambling is the norm at dogfights. Dog owners and spectators wager thousands of dollars on their favorites. Firearms and other weapons have been found at dogfights because of the large amounts of cash present. And dogfighting has been connected to other kinds of violence—even homicide, according to newspaper reports. In addition, illegal drugs are often sold and used at dogfights.
Dogs used for fighting have been bred for many generations to be dangerously aggressive toward other animals. The presence of these dogs in a community increases the risk of attacks not only on other animals but also on people. Children are especially at risk, because their small size may cause a fighting dog to perceive a child as another animal.  The end results are often fatal.

Dogfighting is a sadistic “contest” in which two dogs—specifically bred, conditioned, and trained to fight—are placed in a pit (generally a small arena enclosed by plywood walls) to fight each other for the spectators’ entertainment and gambling. Fights average nearly an hour in length and often last more than two hours. Dogfights end when one of the dogs will not or cannot continue. In addition to these dogfights, there are reports of an increase in unorganized street fights in urban areas.
Dogs used in these events often die of blood loss, shock, dehydration, exhaustion, or infection hours or even days after the fight. Other animals are often sacrificed as well. Some owners train their dogs for fights using smaller animals such as cats, rabbits or small dogs. These “bait” animals are often stolen pets or animals obtained through “free to good home” advertisements.  These are criminals and they should be punished.

No one was standing up for your beliefs, gentlemanonce, the site moderator was simply reprimanding us for our overzealous comments.  There was no post in which Chad Petri or anyone else from WKRG had sided with you on the subject of dog figthing.  Most intelligent, compassionate people find the sport to be vile, cruel and disgusting, not to mention, illegal.  If those are your convictions - great.  Did you know that it is against the law?  You are basically saying that it is acceptable to break the law.  No one, other than you, has shared such a belief in this forum, namely Chad Petri.  Dog fighting is a crime.  Those who participate in the sport should be punished.

Thank you WKRG for standing up for me and my beliefs.  See everyone even the news organization believes we all have the right to do as we want.  Thank you Chad Petri for opening eyes to what everyone think happens in a “underground” sport.