It was a world where tens of thousands of self-described "dogmen" bred and raised dogs to maul each other in refereed matches conducted with strictly enforced rules.
In the "Sporting Dog Journal," the dominant trade magazine, you could find ads for Hellz Comin Kennels, and read results of dozens of dog matches throughout the country.
It was a world where an unwanted dog might be dispatched by attaching one terminal of a live battery cable to his lip and another to his hindquarter. One former dogfighter said electrocution was considered relatively humane, since "it stops the heart quicker" than hanging.
And it was a world where less well-organized dogfighters were proliferating in cities like Philadelphia, raising pit bulls in basement kennels and fighting their dogs in empty lots, garages and abandoned buildings.
Vick brings a crackdown
John Goodwin, manager of animal-fighting issues for the Humane Society of the United States, said that Vick's 2007 arrest spurred a national crackdown on organized dogfighting.
"The number of raids doubled, and legislators stepped into action," Goodwin said. "There are 26 new laws increasing penalties for dogfighting."
Kennel sales fell. The "Sporting Dog Journal" was shut down and its publisher was arrested. Most other trade publications disappeared, though two new ones have appeared within the past year.
But although Vick's arrest launched a crackdown on organized dogfighting, many believe that his public association with dogfighting made it more popular among urban "street fighters."
"Absolutely, no doubt in my mind," said George Bengal, director of law enforcement for the Pennsylvania Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. "It [dogfighting] became the thing to do. To young people who looked up to him, it was like, 'It's OK to do this.' "
