Why do we say "going to the dogs" to mean something is getting worse?

[raccoon]

Anybody know?

[southpaw]

1. I think it originally refered to food

Once food was too spoiled for human consumption, it was fed to the dogs.

Seems like I read that somewhere a long time ago.

[SOteric]

3. Ayup. But not necessarily spoilt.

Any foods that didn't turn out right. - Cake didn't rise? It goes to the dogs. Bread gone stale? It goes to the dogs. Fat trimmed off the end of the roast? It goes to the dogs.

[La Lioness Priyanka]

2. scrap food