Lancashire one of worst places for dog fighting
The RSPCA investigates 56 cases in recent years
The leading animal welfare charity released the new figures as part of their Cancel Out Cruelty Campaign.
RSPCA dog fighting expert and Special Operations Unit (SOU) chief inspector Ian Muttitt said:
“Our figures show that in the past four years the RSPCA has uncovered and dealt with 98 incidents of dog fighting just in the east of England, let alone in the rest of England and Wales. Essex is the worst county in the east for it, with 29 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.”
“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. 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.”
Dog fighting was outlawed in England in 1835 but still goes on today. The RSPCA - founded almost 200 years ago - is the country’s leading organisation tackling dog fighting and, for the last four decades, the RSPCA’s SOU have been investigating reports, rescuing dogs and prosecuting perpetrators.
Sadly, many of the 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’s SOU have investigated 1,156 incidents of dog fighting across England and Wales since 2019. The north of England has been revealed as the worst region for dog fighting between 2019-2023, with the South of England (224 investigations), the Midlands (212 investigations), the East of England (98 investigations) and the West (77 investigations) following closely behind.
The RSPCA are urging the public to be their eyes and ears and to report anything suspicious to them. Anyone who is concerned about the welfare of an animal or suspects dog fighting may be taking place should call the RSPCA animal cruelty line on 0300 1234 999.