Dog fighting within the United Kingdom is a lucrative underground crime. On the 20th October 2011, a Father and son were both jailed for taking part in organised dog fighting. Ian Draper, 47, was already banned from keeping dogs for ten years based on a previous cruelty charge. He was jailed for 20 weeks on multiple charges. His son Danny Draper, 20, was sentenced to 12 weeks in prison. Both were part of a thorough investigation by the RSPCA which led to their arrests.
Many people have no idea that, despite being illegal for 176 years, dogfighting is still happening in the UK. According to the RSPCA there is at least one illegal dog fight a week in Britain.
Illegal Dog Fights
A dog fight involves group of people, in an underground location, placing bets on which of the two trained dogs will win the fight. Dogs are badly injured and even killed during a fight. A losing dog, if not dead already, is often killed by the fight organisers or its owner. Larger, organised dog fights can involve many pairs of animals in consecutive fights.
Treadmills and Bait Animals Used in Training
Dogs kept for fighting are trained to their optimum health and fitness. The fighting dog is treated like any other athlete. Treadmills are used to build fitness in the dog. Training begins from an early age and young dogs are encouraged to attack in order to damage other dogs and animals.
Bait animals are used to introduce potential fighting dogs to blood. Any animal can be used for bait. This will initiate the young training dog into its life as a pit dog. There are reports of weaker dogs, cats, foxes and even badgers being used as bait. An animal used for bait is usually terrified, therefore may be showing aggression to the young dog. Any animal that is given away could be at risk of being taken and used as bait.
Dog Fighting and the Law
During 1835 in the United Kingdom, The Protection of Animals act was passed. This law made dog fighting illegal. The fine at this time was no less than five pounds per person for either taking part in or organising a dog fight. 76 years later, The Protection of Animals Act 1911 was introduced establishing the concept of "causing unnecessary suffering". The attendance and organisation of animal fights was, and still is, illegal.
Police and animal welfare organisations continue to investigate, and, where possible, bring to justice the perpetrators of this cruel crime. Unfortunately, like many well organised crime rings, it is difficult to infiltrate and obtain information of the active locations and establish the people involved.
Money is a big factor in dog fighting. People gather in groups at a secret location that will contain a fight pit. Gambling is a large part of the event. People that are heavily involved in dog fighting will travel long distances to place their dog in a financially rewarding fight.
Undercover Investigation of Dog Fighting
In August 2007 an undercover reporter from the BBC’s Panorama investigated dog fighting. A lengthy and enlightening report was produced. The article contains an insight into the illegal and cruel activity that is modern dog fighting within the UK.
Sally Gutteridge - Sally is a writer and holistic therapist that lives in Scotland with her boyfriend and four rescue dogs
