Deliberate, brutal and shocking. Large-scale serious, organised and commercial animal cruelty is rife in the criminal community.
Dogs bred, trained and sold for the sole purpose of taking part in meticulously organised fights. Hares, rabbits and deer chased and killed to be collected as trophies. Badgers cornered in setts by dogs, as animal abusers dig down to drag them out.
This may sound like a trailer for a film but this is reality.
Putting things right
Our Special Operations Unit (SOU) collects and pieces together information from all over England and Wales, working closely with partnership agencies, to create a rich picture of these criminal activities.
Using this detailed data we can track criminal activities in relation to animal welfare and not only react appropriately but hit at the heart of the criminal communities. Sending a clear message that we will not tolerate animal abuse.
Fighting back against brutality
As a result of operations code named ‘Canon and Castle’ co-ordinated raids saw 20 pit-bull type dogs removed from addresses in Hertfordshire, Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire.
A blood stained fighting pit, treadmills used to improve dog’s stamina, medical kits for treating injuries and sickening videos of animals fighting were just some of the items found.
Many of the dogs found had suffered injuries associated with fighting. Ten people were convicted in these investigation, of those six were given custodial sentences.
In five years a total of 97 convictions against 43 people have been successfully brought against those involved in dog fighting - despite it being outlawed almost 180 years ago.
The grim realities
Cock-fighting, dog fighting, badger baiting or coursing with dogs are often little more than a hobby to those associated with criminal activities. Animals abused in the name of sport, or bred and sold just to make a profit, with no regard for their welfare.
Kate, the Jack Russell on the right was used in relation to badger crime. She suffered extensive scarring and de-gloving injuries to her lower jaw. A 24 and a 25 year old man from Liverpool pleaded guilty to the crimes. Kate has since been rehomed.
In November 2012 87 puppies were seized during a major investigation into puppy trafficking. During three warrants, carried out with the police across Stockport and Greater Manchester, four dead puppies were discovered, two of which had been left in a bucket in the footwell of a car.
Fighting fund
We’re working closely with police, local authorities and government bodies to identify those involved in large-scale, serious and organised commercial animal cruelty. However, we are the only ones prosecuting in these cases.
Help us to prosecute animal abusers. Donate to our fighting fund today.
- To give £3 now text FIGHT to 88010
(Texts cost £3 + 1 standard network rate message) - To donate via phone, please call 0300 123 8181 now (24 hours a day)
- To donate online, please visit: www.rspca.org.uk/urgent