Green criminological perspectives on dog-fighting as organised masculinities -based animal harm

Abstract Dog-fighting was historically a working-class pursuit within predominantly white, subcultures, representing distinct type of organised animal exploitation. However, contemporary dog-fighting has moved way from its pit-based origins to encompass varied forms activity including street in the form chain fighting or rolling, use dogs as status weapon dogs. This paper examines green criminological perspective and subcultural crime. Analysis UK legislation identifies that specific offence ‘dog-fighting’ does not exist. Instead, is contained ‘animal fighting’ offence, prohibited by provisions Animal Welfare Act 2006. beyond actual fight activities (pitting against each other attacking humans), range offences are associated with including: illegal gambling; attending events; welfare harms; breeding selling for fighting. paper’s analysis legal perspectives on such activities; also discussing how fieldsports (e.g. cock-fighting) dominated crime elements gambling distinctly masculine subcultures through which hierarchy offending established developed. Commensurate previous research different offender behaviours crime, this concludes variation exists nature extent single approach offenders behaviour unlikely be successful.