Letters: The long history of dogfighting

RE DAVE DAVIES' recent article on the culture of dogfighting:

I don't advocate dogfighting, but I've been involved with dogs my whole 66 years. Dog-breeding is a sport. Dogfighting is a sport. Dog-racing is a sport. They all can be very, very cruel.

Dogfighting goes back before the time of Jesus in Asia and Europe. The Akita, the chow, bull terrier, Staffordshire terrier, for example, all were fighting dogs.

In the stories of the great American writer Jack London, you find that dogfighting was common sport during the gold rush. Dogfighting and cockfighting are a part of American culture, however cruel you one might find it.

Boxing and all the martial arts that fill the human need for violence are the same as dogfighting. We identify with the winners and destroy the losers. It's something within us as humans.

Norman Wilson, Harrisburg, Pa.