Greater Manchester was today named and shamed by the RSPCA as the second worst area in England and Wales for cases of dog fighting. Despite the coronavirus lockdown, the charity revealed it has tackled 82 reported cases here since 2019, more than anywhere else bar London.
The barbaric abuse of dogs has been illegal for almost 200 years, but RSPCA inspectors said it sadly remained 'still so rife'.
Figures have been released as part of a new campaign under which the charity released shocking figures earlier this month revealing a surge in cases of intentional animal cruelty across Greater Manchester.
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The RSPCA said the figures showed 'an alarming increase in intentional cruelty against animals' - there were 605 reports in Greater Manchester last year, an increase of 9 per cent compared to the 553 made in 2021.
The charity's Cancel Out Our Cruelty Campaign launched last week. Ian Muttitt, RSPCA dog fighting expert and Special Operations Unit chief inspector, said: "Our figures show that in the past four years the RSPCA has uncovered and dealt with 82 incidents of dog fighting in Greater Manchester alone.
"It's staggering that something which has been illegal for almost 200 years, which most people would consider consigned to history, is still so rife."
The campaign aims to raise funds to help frontline RSPCA rescue teams continue to save animals from cruelty and abuse. "Each year, these reports of cruelty reach its terrible annual peak in the summer months," Ian continued.
"Around this time of year nationally we receive a report of an animal being beaten on average every hour of every day. We don’t know why reports of animal cruelty peak in the summer months although things like animal abuse being more visible as people are outdoors more and the cost of living crisis could be major factors.
"Dog fighting, which is connected to organised crime, is just one of the many acts of cruelty we see every year.
Dog fighting was outlawed in England in 1835, but still goes on today. Sadly, many dogs used by dog fighters are never found and those who are rescued are often found to be banned breeds under the Dangerous Dogs Act and cannot legally be rehomed.
In total the RSPCA has investigated 1,156 incidents of dog fighting across England and Wales since 2019. London has been revealed as the worst hotspot for dog fighting with 91 cases, followed by Greater Manchester.
Ian said: "The dog fighting world is a dark and secretive place. It could be happening in an inner-city warehouse next door to your office or on a rural farm in your quiet village.
"Signs of dog fighting can vary but if you notice a dog with lots of scars on its face, front legs, hind legs and thighs, or with puncture wounds and mangled ears - this could be a sign of dog fighting and should be reported to the RSPCA or the police. Other suspicious activity includes dogs being hidden away in outbuildings or kennels of sight and not exercised in public.
"Dogs who win fights are prized and are often treated like kings. But those who refuse to fight or lose are often abandoned or barbarically killed.
"Overall dog fighting in England and Wales has increased since 2019, jumping from a total number of 232 incidents investigated by the RSPCA in 2019 to 355 in 2022. We have dealt with 155 incidents this year, but we are only six months into the year, so we are concerned we will see this number steadily rise."
