Ep 2. Dog Fighting

American Takedown is an investigative documentary series which focuses on various high-stakes criminal operations, including fraud, drug trafficking and organized crime. Each episode of the show delves deep into one major criminal operation and follows the efforts of law enforcement agencies as they work to bring the criminals to justice.

In the second episode of season 1, titled "Dog Fighting", the show explores the brutal and illegal world of underground dog fighting. Dog fighting is a heinous and cruel activity that involves pitting trained and aggressive dogs against one another for entertainment and wagering purposes.

The episode starts with a shocking and disturbing scene where a group of men are shown encouraging their dogs to fight viciously in a makeshift ring. The dogs are clearly frightened, injured and terrified, as they continue to fight relentlessly. This opening shot sets the tone for the entire episode, which seeks to expose and dismantle the dog fighting rings that operate within the US.

The show features interviews with undercover agents, criminal investigators, and animal welfare activists. These experts reveal how dog fighting rings operate and how they are able to evade detection by law enforcement agencies for long periods of time. Viewers will get a firsthand look at the brutal world of dog fighting as the show uncovers how dogs are bred and trained for fighting, how the fights are staged, and how the dogs are often killed or abandoned if they are deemed unfit for fighting.

The episode also follows the efforts of investigators as they collect evidence against several notorious dog fighting rings. The team conducted several intense sting operations to catch the gang members and bring them to justice. The investigators reveal that dog fighting is not just a form of entertainment for those who are involved, but also a lucrative business. The show highlights how much money is invested in this illegal activity and how some of the gambling rackets are tied to money laundering operations.

Throughout the episode, the heart-breaking stories of the suffering and abuse that the dogs endure are brought to light. Viewers will be moved and outraged by the stories of animal cruelty and abuse, and the show does an excellent job of sensitizing the audiences to the issue.

Towards the end of the episode, the show also explores the role of law enforcement agencies and how they are working to combat this disturbing trend. The show highlights the challenges faced by agencies as they try to investigate these clandestine operations and make arrests. The episode ends with a message highlighting the efforts that viewers can make in reporting instances of animal cruelty and supporting animal welfare organizations.

In conclusion, the second episode of American Takedown season 1 effectively exposes the inhumane and barbaric practice of dog fighting that has been plaguing the United States for several years. The episode is both informative and hard-hitting, and the show's investigators’ success in apprehending several notorious dog fighting rings is particularly gratifying. Overall, it is a deeply affecting and powerful episode that will shock viewers and drive home the importance of animal welfare activism.