Dogfighting is a situation in which one dog attacks or fights another dog. Dogfighting is also a blood sport where dogs that have been bred, conditioned, and trained to fight are placed in a pit to fight each other for spectator entertainment and profit. Dogfighting—as defined in state and federal statutes—is a felony criminal offense in all states and under federal law.

The definitions and penalties or punishments for dogfighting vary from state to state but usually provide that a person commits an offense if the person intentionally or knowingly:

(1) causes a dog to fight with another dog;

(2) participates in the earnings of or operates a facility used for dogfighting;

(3) uses or permits another to use any real estate, building, room, tent, arena, or other property for dogfighting;

(4) owns or possesses dogfighting equipment with the intent that the equipment be used to train a dog for dogfighting or in furtherance of dogfighting;

(5) owns or trains a dog with the intent that the dog be used in an exhibition of dogfighting; or

(6) attends as a spectator an exhibition of dogfighting.

The criminal offense for dogfighting is sometimes included in state statutes that make it illegal to cause various kinds of animals to fight (dogs, bulls, cocks, etc.). Dogfighting is also illegal under the federal Animal Welfare Act (statute) that prohibits “animal fighting ventures” and is located in the United States Code at 7 U.S.C. §2156.

In Florida, dogfighting is strictly prohibited and is considered a third-degree felony under Florida Statute § 828.122. This statute criminalizes various activities associated with dogfighting, including: (1) baiting, breeding, transporting, selling, owning, possessing, or using any dog for the purpose of fighting or baiting; (2) promoting, staging, advertising, or charging any admission fee to a fight or baiting between two or more dogs; (3) wagering money or anything of value on the result of such fighting or baiting; (4) using any real estate, room, building, vessel, shed, cage, or other enclosure for the purpose of fighting or baiting dogs; (5) owning, managing, or operating any facility kept or used for the purpose of dogfighting; (6) knowingly attending and watching, as a spectator, an event where dogs are being fought. Penalties for those convicted of dogfighting-related offenses can include imprisonment, fines, and mandatory community service or psychological counseling. Additionally, under federal law, dogfighting is illegal as per the Animal Welfare Act, which prohibits animal fighting ventures, reinforcing the state's stance against this form of animal cruelty.