People that put a so-called catchdog into
a closed arena with a feral hog and claim they are sportsmen need a
wake-up call. We hope South Carolina authorities give it to them.
State officials announced Monday the arrest of three Chester County
residents as part of a multi-state investigation, including arrests in
Georgia, Alabama and Arizona. More arrests are expected.
Those arrested are accused of engaging in a clandestine activity
referred to hog- dogging, hog-baiting or hog-dog rodeos. It consists of
setting trained dogs, usually pit bulls, against wild hogs.
According to the Humane Society of the United States, the "sport"
originated in states with a large population of wild hogs. These
animals, which can grow to several hundred pounds and often bear
fearsome tusks, are descended from domestic hogs brought to these shores
by early European immigrants.
Because they root up the earth, the hogs can be a major nuisance to
farmers, who often encourage hunters to thin the hog population.
Nevertheless, it would be an insult to legitimate sportsmen to cloak
hog-dogging with the attributes of hunters. Proponents of this
despicable enterprise aren't meat hunters or environmentalists. They are
sadists.
Although it's true that a feral boar can hold its own against most
other creatures in the wild, it doesn't stand much of a chance when
thrust into a pen with a dog trained to kill -- especially not when its
tusks have been removed.
As with dog or cock fights -- two other "sports" popular with some
elements in the Palmetto State -- simple blood lust may explain the
appeal for some fans, but it's gambling that makes it a significant
criminal enterprise.
A spokesman for the S.C. Attorney General said investigators found 15
hogs and 95 dogs at a home near Fort Lawn. Several of the hogs were
wounded, and one had a broken leg.
If convicted of animal fighting, a felony under South Carolina law,
the suspects could face up to five years in prison and a fine of up to
$5,000. Given the high stakes involved, those penalties might not be a
sufficient deterrent. Certainly, the maximum punishment for attending
such events -- six months and $500 for the first conviction -- needs to
be stiffened.
Gov. Mark Sanford incurred the ire of many legislators earlier this
year when he brought two piglets into the Statehouse as a mock protest
of what he called pork barrel legislation. Next time, he should take a
videotape of a hog-dog rodeo and challenge our lawmakers to get tough on
this evil enterprise.
