In a dogfight, two dogs are put into a square pit, which measures twelve, sixteen, or twenty feet on each side. The
dogs fight until one is declared the winner. There are two handlers and one referee in the pit with the dogs. Spectators
surround the pit, the sides of which are wooden and three to four feet high.. The dogfight begins when the referee tells
the handlers to pit their dogs, at which time the dogs are released and attack. Once the fight begins, the spectators place
bets with one another on which dog will win. The dogs continue fighting until one of them makes a “turn,” which is
defined as turning the head and shoulders away from the opponent.
Once the referee calls the turn, the handlers then handle their dogs when they are out of “holds,” which means they
are not biting each other. The dog who made the turn must “scratch” to his opponent. Scratching is defined as crossing
the scratch line, which is drawn in the center of the pit, and attacking one’s opponent within a specified amount of
time usually 10 to 30 seconds. If a dog fails to scratch, his opponent is declared the winner. If the scratch is successfully
completed, the fight continues. From this point on the dogs are handled only when they are out of holds, and the dogs
are required to scratch in turn. If a dog fails to scratch in turn, he is declared the loser.