The fight to end the fighting: 19 dogs rescued from the ring
Dog fighting is a cruel activity that has been illegal for over 180 years – yet we still investigate and prosecute dog fighting offences to this day. Most dogs used for fighting will ultimately either be killed in the ring, or die as a result of their injuries or, in some cases, killed by their owners. We are working to change that.
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Traumatised, abused and torn apart
What seemed like a routine call from a concerned animal lover soon became a two-and-a-half-year investigation for our Special Operations Unit (SOU), after the RSPCA officer who arrived on the scene worryingly noticed scarring on the dogs’ faces and spotted a treadmill in the garden.
As a result, a total of 19 dogs were rescued from an illegal international dog fighting ring and brought into our care, undergoing specialist rehabilitation, and since finding forever homes.
RSPCA Inspector Kirsty Withnall led this years’ long investigation after a phonecall about the welfare of dogs in Essex sparked concerns. Scarring on the dogs’ faces and a treadmill in the garden shed were the first of many signs of organised animal crime Kirsty’s SOU team spent months gathering the surmounting evidence, leading to the Police raiding the property and initially removing two dogs into our care.
But we didn’t stop there.
After more substantial and incriminating evidence came to light – training items like break sticks, DIY vet kits, a fighting pit covered in blood and a phone containing messages and images between members of the dog fighting ring – another 17 dogs were rescued. A total of 19 dogs were finally safe.
Their fight was over. But ours was just beginning.
They’d had little interaction with the outside world, except for when they were taken to fight another dog in bloody bouts that often ended in serious and fatal injuries.
Dogs freed, perpetrators jailed
The dogs arrived at our rehabilitation centres nervous, withdrawn and heavily injured – many with scarring along their muzzles, heads, chests and front legs.
Sadly, four of the 19 dogs were put to sleep, due to either health issues or the dangerous behaviours instilled into them. The rest, however, were treated, rehabilitated and retrained by our specialist teams across the country, which they took to, bright eyed and waggy tailed.
Following our prosecution, five people were convicted and sentenced for their involvement in the international dog fighting gang and dog cruelty, which was linked to organised dog fights held in England, Ireland and France.
Finally, the fighting was over.
Four of the five involved were imprisoned. All were disqualified from keeping dogs.
Jane’s second chance
From rehabilitation to rehoming – one of the 19 dogs, an eight-year-old bull breed named Jane, has found her second chance and forever home with her fosterer.
“Jane is doing brilliantly and has settled in so well. Her behaviour is fantastic and she loves to go out for walks, and have a good sniff. She just wants to enjoy life and is really chilled,” she says.
Hope is not lost for animals who’ve experienced mistreatment and abuse. With specialised care, time to recover, and kind-hearted animal lovers like you, the lives of many animals can be changed for the better.
We couldn’t rescue, rehabilitate and rehome as many animals as we do without your continued support and donations.
One phone call freed 19 dogs – and put an end to an international dog fighting ring that would have seen many more injured or killed. Thank you for speaking up on their behalf.
Sadly, lead investigator Kirsty Withnall didn’t get to see the gang members jailed as she lost her battle with cancer just a few weeks before the final court hearing. Described as a “fearless” investigator and a “fierce advocate for animal welfare”, Kirsty inspired others to show kindness to every kind, and made a huge difference to the lives of so many animals. Thank you, Kirsty.
