Irish Rules

If the police interfere, the referee to name the next meeting place

The rules for dog-fighting are very strict. The following are those followed by the Irish dog-fighters.

Rule 1
Size of pit, optional; to be square and 30 inches high. Scratch lines 14 feet apart, with carpet on the floor.

Rule 2
Referee to be chose before the dogs are weighed and washed. Referee also to conduct the contest according to the rules and his decision to be final and binding.

Rule 3
Referee to ensure that the dogs are weighed at time agreed on in the contract. If either dog weighs more that contract weight referee to see that forfeit money is paid to the relevant part.

Rule 4
Parties to toss coin to decide first wash. Each party to furnish clean towels.

Rule 5
Both dogs to be washed in the same warm water, both dogs to be rinsed in clean warm water taken from the same container. Upon request, referee to search and satisfy himself that both washers and handlers are clean and arms bared to the elbows.

Rule 6
Upon completion of washing handlers to take their dogs to designated corner of pit.

Rule 7
Dog owner or representative should be allowed at all times to be near his dog, to ensure no harm is done. Each owner to be allowed to name a representative to watch the opponents dog and handler at all times to see no unfair advantage is gained.

Rule 8
Either dogs owner, handler or watcher has the right to appeal to the referee and thereby obtain a decision if any handler, watcher or owner violates any of these rules, thereby gaining advantages. The referee maintains the right to foul any party in such circumstances.

Rule 9
The interested parties should choose a time keeper at the pit side.

Rule 10
The dogs are taken on completion of weighing and washing to their designated opposite corners, faces turned away from each other. The referee shall order: "Face your dogs!" Each handler must turn and face his dog to the centre of the pit thereby showing full head and shoulders to the opposite dog.

The referee shall order: "Llet go" the handlers must release their dogs fairly, in no way pushing or shoving their dogs across the pit. Handlers are not to leave their corners until dogs mouth each other.

Rule 11
If either dog turns his head and shoulders away from the opponents, whether they are in holds or free, a turn is to be called.The dogs, handler, the opponent dogs handler, or the referee to call a fair turn, (the referees decision is binding).

The referee to instruct both handlers to handle their dogs at the first out of holds break. Immediately upon dogs being picked up, handlers to take their dogs to their respective corners. Handlers to ensure that dogs face the corner of pit.

Twenty-five seconds after both handlers have arrived at their corners the referee to state: "Face your dogs" both handlers to show their dogs head and shoulders facing the centre of the pit. Five seconds later (30 seconds in total) referee to state: "Let go." The dog that made the first turn to be released first. This dog must cross the pit and mouth the other dog. If after a count of ten seconds the scratching dog fails to mouth his opponent, the referee must declare the opponents dog the winner.

A handler is allowed to release his dog at any time after the scratching dog has started over. He must turn him loose when the dogs touch each other, he is not compelled to until such time.

Rule 12
a) If neither dog turns and they cease to fight after 60 seconds being out of holds, the referee should order dogs to be handled. The dog deemed by the referee to be the down dog to scratch first. If the dog completed a scratch the fight is on and they continue to scratch in turns until the contest is decided.

b) If the down dog fails to complete his scratch the other dog is to scratch to win. If he fails to scratch the contest shall be declared a draw by the referee.

c) No handler is to handle his dog until ordered by the referee, (unless a turn had been called and an out of hold break occurs). If he does the referee to consider whether a foul is committed, if so the contest to be forfeited to his opponent.

d) No photography at the pit side unless agreed upon by both parties. No banging on the pit wall, abuse or rowdy behaviour at the pit side. This behaviour to be frowned upon by the referee and corrected where necessary.

Rule 13
Once either dog has mouthed his opponent (after a scratch), either handler is allowed to pick up his dog if an out of holds situation occurs. The other dogs handler must follow suit immediately and pick his or her dog up and return to respective corners. Where rule 11 procedure implemented. If either handler makes a pick up and the dogs are still in holds or become in holds, then the dog is to be releases and the fight to continue. Referee to warn handler if persistent bad pick ups occur.

Dogs to continue to alternate scratching until either dog is picked up or quits thus deciding the winner.

Rule 14
If either dog fangs himself, the respective handler to request permission from referee to unfang his or her dog. This to be done by the handler or referee (to be decided at the time). If the dogs are separated to allow unfanging, they are immediately taken to the centre of pit, two feet apart and released simultaneously when ordered by the referee.

Rule 15
Nothing to be taken into the pit except a fan, to cool your dog. The interested parties to choose a person to hold the bucket with the two sponges. At each handle the referee shall give each handler a sponge, to be returned to the referee after each scratch.

Rule 16
Permission to be granted by referee for any item drinks etc to be passed into pit. If any foul play is suspected by either handler or party or any item is seen to be passed into the pit referee to investigate and make appropriate decision.

Either party has the right to place a representative in opponents corner to ensure no foul play occurs.

Rule 17
If either handler leaves the pit with or without his dog before the referee renders his verdict he is to lose the fight.

Rule 18
Handlers to be allowed to encourage their dogs verbally and physically without touching them. If foul methods are suspected, to be brought to the attention of referee. If either party found guilty, they are to lose the fight.

Rule 19
If the police interfere the referee to name the next meeting place.