Reports of dog fighting in England rising
“We’d urge the public to contact the police or RSPCA if they have any concerns about dog fighting near them” – Will Mitchell.
The RSPCA has reported a significant rise in the number of reports of organised dog fighting it has received.
In the last four years, the charity has seen a 35 per cent rise in England. The charity received a total of 1,743 reports between 2020-2023, with 537 reports in 2023 alone.
The largest number of reports came from London (186), followed by Greater Manchester (123) and the West Midlands (121). The same four-year period also saw the charity’s team in Wales receive 97 reports.
The charity has a Special Operations Unit (SOU) that investigates serious and organised animal crime such as dog fighting.
The unit recently helped prosecute a dog fighting gang following a two-and-a-half year investigation. Five people were sentenced, three of whom were jailed, for their part in organising and attending dog fights in England, Ireland, and France.
As part of the operation, 19 dogs were rescued from properties in Essex and Merseyside.
Will Mitchell, RSPCA SOU chief inspector, said: “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 exercised in public, as well as groups of people meeting with their dogs.”
The RSPCA recently launched its Summer Cruelty Appeal to raise funds to support its rescue teams.
Image © RSPCA
With Strangles Awareness Week just around the corner (5-11 May), vets are being encouraged to share a survey about the disease with their horse-owning clients.
