Hampshire in top ten of dog fighting hotspots RSPCA reveals
HAMPSHIRE has ranked tenth in the league of ‘hotspots’ where the outlawed bloodsport of dog fighting persists.
The RSPCA has revealed hat reports of the vile ‘sport’ have shot up by 35% over the last four years.
The number of incidents reported to the charity increased from 399 in 2020 to 537 in 2023.
A total 1,734 reports of organised dog fights have been received in England in the last four years. The top three problem areas are London, with 186, Greater Manchester, 123, and West Midlands with 121.
A crack Special Operations Unit (SOU) at the RSPCA, tasked with tracking down serious organised animal crime, recently brought to justice a fighting ring after a two-year investigation.
It is supported financially via the charity’s No Animal Deserves Cruelty campaign.
RSPCA chief inspector Will Mitchell said: “Dog fighting is a draconian and barbaric bloodsport which many people believe society has left behind in history.
“Sadly, though, the reality is that we continue to investigate cases today, involving sophisticated networks of people whose passion is breeding, training, arranging and fighting dogs.
“We see career criminals getting their kicks from watching dogs rip each other’s throats out and break each other’s legs. It’s shocking and there is absolutely no place for it in society today.
“As we all work together to try to create a kinder world for animals, it’s time this sort of sickening level of deliberate and gratuitous animal cruelty was stamped out for good - but we need your help to do that.”
Dogs kept for fighting are subjected to horrific cruelty, with many being forced to fight to the death. Many that are injured do not receive vet treatment, as the gangs operating the fights do not want to alert authorities to what is going on. They are left to suffer, with many eventually dying from their injuries.
Mr Mitchell urged the public to be on the lookout for signs that a dog may be being used for fighting, and to report it to the RSPCA or to the police.
He added: “Dog fighting is a dark, secretive sport but it could be happening near you; in a garage or warehouse in the heart of a city, or on a rural farm in a quiet village.
“We’d urge the public to contact the police or RSPCA if they have any concerns about dog fighting near them. Signs can vary but dogs used in fighting will usually have scars on their face, front legs and hind legs, and they can also have damaged ears and puncture wounds.
“Other suspicious activity includes hiding dogs away in outbuildings or kennels and not exercising them in public, as well as groups of people meeting with their dogs.”
Anyone with information should call 0300 1234 999.
