Illegal dog fighting is ‘rife’ across the West Country, the RSPCA has revealed, as they launch a campaign to stamp out the cruel practice.
The animal welfare charity have released new figures which show that, despite Covid pandemic lockdowns, the charity has been involved in investigating 77 cases across the West Country since 2019.
Experts at the charity said it was ‘staggering’ that something that’s been illegal for almost 200 years was still ‘so rife’ in the West Country.
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The figures show that there have been three cases of dog fighting investigated by the RSPCA in Bristol in the past 18 months, 11 in Somerset since 2019, five in Wiltshire, 13 in Gloucestershire, 12 in Dorset, 22 in Devon and ten in Cornwall.
“Our figures show that in the past four years the RSPCA has uncovered and dealt with 77 incidents of dog fighting just in the west of England, let alone in the rest of England and Wales,” said RSPCA dog fighting expert and Special Operations Unit chief inspector Ian Muttitt said. “Devon is the worst county in the west for it, with 22 of the incidents occurring there. 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,” he added.
The RSPCA said its Cancel Out Cruelty campaign aims to raise funds to help its frontline rescue teams continue to save animals from cruelty and abuse and to raise awareness about how to stop cruelty to animals for good.
“Each year, these reports of cruelty reach its terrible annual peak in the summer months.” Chief Insp Muttitt added. “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. The RSPCA is the only charity rescuing animals and investigating cruelty in England and Wales with a team of frontline rescue officers, specialist vet teams and a network of animal care centres and branches working tirelessly to save animals and provide rehabilitation to animal victims.
“Together, we believe we can and will cancel out cruelty to animals by replacing violence with kindness. We are urging people to donate to our Cancel Out Cruelty campaign, every donation will help animals,” he added. “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,” he added.
“Dog fighting is serious, organised animal cruelty and we would not want anyone to put themselves at risk with the sort of people who are involved in such a violent pastime. It is imperative to report suspicions to the RSPCA and to under no circumstances approach these people yourself,” he added.
