The fear of needing to protect animals and pets was reignited recently when over 15 cats were stolen from a neighbourhood in Blackburn. It’s believed the family pets were taken to act as bait in a series of barbaric illegal dog fights, which still continue across in the UK.
Dog fighting games and tournaments are held mainly for entertainment and gambling purposes. As a blood sport, it was banned in the UK as long ago as 1835 in an attempt to save animals from injury and savage death. It is not unusual for dogs to be seriously harmed or killed during a fight, as they are set against each other to battle for bait such as wildlife and live pets which are then mauled to death. Bait is also prevented from defending itself as any claws are cut or filed and mouths of the animals are taped shut.
The most common breeds trained for dog fighting are American pit bull terriers and Staffordshire bull terriers; some are even bred specifically for this purpose. Animals used for dog baiting are prevented from defending themselves and are also selected due to their size and vulnerability in comparison to the battling dogs. Pets slightly larger than caged rodents, such as rabbits and kittens, are at risk as well as puppies and smaller-sized dogs.
Established in 1924, the League Against Cruel Sports helps protect animals in need by campaigning to end cruelty to animals in the name of ‘sport’. The organisation has campaigned against dog fighting since its launch, but an estimated 400 per cent rise in the popularity of dog fighting in the last few years means that more action needs to be taken to help animals in need: the League Against Cruel Sports is consistently raising awareness of this activity.
Urban fox hunting is a relatively new form of animal cruelty; the League describes this simply as thugs letting dogs, which have been trained to fight, loose on urban foxes. The dogs sometimes attempt a straight kill, although the foxes are also caught to be used as bait for standard dog fighting. Both animals sustain injuries during this process, with the fox suffering immense fear, stress and injuries before death.
Of course, individuals intent on harming animals also threaten those foxes that live in the countryside. In addition to illegal hunting, rural foxes have to contend with ‘terrier men’. Terrier work is brutal, but perhaps more shocking than the gruesome details of this activity is the fact that it’s legal. Dogs are encouraged to run into the fox earths to force the foxes out of their homes; this isn’t as simple as it sounds, dogs often fight underground with the foxes, inflicting terrible injuries on each other.
The League Against Cruel Sports is currently campaigning for amendments to be made to the law, so the gamekeeper’s exemption within the Hunting Act is removed. This will mean that terrier work would be illegal for everyone, hopefully preventing this vicious exercise.
A similar cruel ‘sport’ is carried out on badgers. Known as badger baiting, dogs are set onto these usually timid creatures forcing them to fight back, resulting in injuries to all animals involved. This illegal activity is brutal as the dogs are trained to fight to the death, many are starved and beaten to make them more aggressive.
It is important that society is vigilant towards these activities and helps protect animals in need. The League Against Cruel Sports run a Fighting Dogs Crimewatch service which asks members of the public to anonymously report any activity or suspicions of this crime by calling 01483 524 250.