Human-baiting is a
blood sport involving the
baiting of
humans
Humans (''Homo sapiens'') or modern humans are the most common and widespread species of primate, and the last surviving species of the genus ''Homo''. They are Hominidae, great apes characterized by their Prehistory of nakedness and clothing ...
against
dog
The dog (''Canis familiaris'' or ''Canis lupus familiaris'') is a domesticated descendant of the gray wolf. Also called the domestic dog, it was selectively bred from a population of wolves during the Late Pleistocene by hunter-gatherers. ...
s. There are at least three known documented cases of human-baiting, all of which occurred in England in the 19th century.
Gentleman and the Bull Dog
''
The Sporting Magazine'', vol. XVIII, documented a fight between parties labeled simply the ''Gentleman and the Bull Dog''. ''
The Sporting Times'' also reported on this fight, which occurred in 1807. The story illustrates the outcome of a large, mastiff-like dog charging its opponent. Despite the handicap of a muzzle, the dog was the winner.
Physic versus Brummy
On 6 July 1874 the ''
Daily Telegraph
''The Daily Telegraph'', known online and elsewhere as ''The Telegraph'', is a British daily broadsheet conservative newspaper published in London by Telegraph Media Group and distributed in the United Kingdom and internationally. It was foun ...
'' published an article, written by
James Greenwood, in which he reported on 25 June 1874 to have witnessed a fight between a man and a dog. Greenwood recounted the tale in his 1876 book, ''
Low-Life Deeps'', in the chapter called "
In the Potteries". On July 11, 1874, ''
The Spectator
''The Spectator'' is a weekly British political and cultural news magazine. It was first published in July 1828, making it the oldest surviving magazine in the world. ''The Spectator'' is politically conservative, and its principal subject a ...
'' published an article called ''The Dog-Fight at Hanley'' that described the circumstances of the brawl.
The fighter, named Brummy, was a middle-aged dwarf about tall, with oversized features, and bowed legs. He had apparently agreed to fight the dog for a bet, on his theory that no dog "could lick a man". His opponent was a white
bulldog
The Bulldog is a British breed of dog of mastiff type. It may also be known as the English Bulldog or British Bulldog. It is a stocky, muscular dog of medium size, with a large head, thick folds of skin around the face and shoulders and a rel ...
named Physic. Held by its guardian, the dog apparently did not bark, but was excited to the point where tears ran from its eyes. The fight, watched by an audience of about 50, occurred at an old inn at
Hanley, Staffordshire
Hanley is one of the six towns that, along with Burslem, Longton, Fenton, Tunstall and Stoke-upon-Trent, amalgamated to form the City of Stoke-on-Trent in Staffordshire, England. The town is the main business, commercial and cultural hub o ...
, in a large guest room, its windows closed and its floor covered in sawdust, with the ring cordoned off by a line.
During the fight Brummy was bitten deeply several times on his arms, and the Bulldog was dealt several heavy blows to the head and ribs. After ten rounds the Bulldog's head was heavily swollen, it had lost two teeth, and one of its eyes was closed. The fight lasted until round eleven when Brummy knocked the dog out.
This story was reported on by ''
The New York Times
''The New York Times'' (''NYT'') is an American daily newspaper based in New York City. ''The New York Times'' covers domestic, national, and international news, and publishes opinion pieces, investigative reports, and reviews. As one of ...
'', which stated that the story is probably false, though noting that the ''Daily Telegraph'' insisted on its veracity.
East End Club
In 1892, another human-baiting occurred between the human combatant James Oxley and a fighting dog named Crib. The following is extracted from a contemporary report:
[Homan, M. (2000). ''A Complete History of Fighting Dogs'', pp. 101–104. Howell Book House ]
See also
*
Venatio
Venatio (, "hunting", plural ''venationes'') was a type of entertainment in Roman amphitheaters involving the hunting and killing of wild animals.
History
Venatio was first introduced by Marcus Fulvius Nobilior, who celebrated his Greek cam ...
References
Further reading
* Fleig, D. (1996). ''History of Fighting Dogs'', pp. 119–124. T.F.H. Publications.
{{DEFAULTSORT:Human-Baiting
Baiting (blood sport)
Obsolete blood sports