Cockfighting and dogfighting are illegal in most Western countries but continue globally, causing severe suffering to animals deliberately bred and trained to injure each other.
Animals used in fighting suffer acutely and chronically. Dogs bred and trained for fighting are isolated from a young age, denied normal social development, and subjected to abuse that creates heightened aggression. During fights they sustain severe injuries including wounds that may go untreated. Losing dogs may be killed, starved as punishment, or used as bait. Fighting birds are fitted with metal spurs that inflict deep wounds and subjected to handling practices that cause stress. Rescue dogs from fighting operations often have severe behavioural and psychological trauma requiring specialist rehabilitation. International welfare cooperation is needed to address countries where these activities remain legal.