The charity has actually launched the figures to raise awareness of the unlawful practice, which it says continues mostly driven by underworld arranged criminal gangs frequently connected to unlawful betting rings.
In Norfolk 16 reports of dog combating have actually been received by the RSPCA given that 2019, and 14 in Suffolk.
Essex is the worst county in the area for it, with 29 of the occurrences happening there.
READ MORE: ‘Alarming increase’ in reports of animal cruelty in Norfolk
The figures are less than in the previous 4 years though this is most likely due to Covid lockdowns instead of a real decrease in the barbaric practice which sees battling dogs qualified and pitted versus each other.
RSPCA dog-fighting specialist and Special Operations Unit (SOU) primary inspector Ian Muttitt said: “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.”
In amount to the RSPCA has actually examined 1,156 occurrences throughout England and Wales given that 2019.
Chief Insp Muttitt included: “The dog combating world is a dark and deceptive location. It might be taking place in an urban storage facility next door to your workplace or on a rural farm in your peaceful town.
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“Signs of dog battling can differ however if you see a dog with great deals of scars on its face, front legs, hind legs and thighs, or with leak injuries and mangled ears – this might be an indication of dog battling and ought to be reported to the RSPCA or the cops.
Dogs rescued from combating frequently cannot be rehomed as they are prohibited types (Image: PA)
“Dogs who win fights are prized and are often treated like Kings. But those who refuse to fight or lose are often abandoned or barbarically killed.”
Many of the dogs utilized to combat are never ever discovered and some rescued are frequently prohibited types that cannot lawfully be rehomed.
Anyone worried about the well-being of an animal or believes dog battling might be happening ought to call the RSPCA animal cruelty line on 0300 1234999.
