The injuries inflicted and sustained by dogs participating in dogfights are frequently severe, even fatal. The American pit bull terriers used in these fights have been specifically bred and trained to be unrelenting in their attempts to overcome their opponents. These dogs have extremely powerful jaw muscles and are able to inflict serious damage such as broken bones or crushed cartilage. Dogs who survive a fight often die of blood loss, shock, dehydration, exhaustion, or infection hours or even days after the fight. Other animals are often sacrificed as well.
Owners often train their dogs for fights using smaller animals such as cats, rabbits, or small dogs.
Illegal gambling is the norm at dogfights. While enjoying watching dogs injure and maim one another, owners and spectators spend thousands of dollars wagering on their favorites. Firearms and other weapons are quite common at dogfights because of the large amounts of cash present. Illegal drugs are often sold and used at dogfights. Dogs used for dogfighting have been bred for many generations to be dangerously aggressive.