Despite the pandemic lockdowns, 1,156 cases of dog battling have actually been dealt with by the RSPCA considering that 2019.
The RSPCA just recently introduced its Cancel Out Cruelty Campaign, to raise funds to help its frontline rescue groups continue to save animals from cruelty and abuse and to raise awareness about how to stop cruelty to animals for good.
RSPCA dog battling specialist and Special Operations Unit (SOU) primary inspector Ian Muttitt said: “Sadly we’re back seeing pre-pandemic levels of dog battling events.
💔 Dog battling is simply among the lots of acts of cruelty we see every year. Sadly, we are now seeing pre-pandemic levels of dog battling events.
📍 Find out the leading 5 worst locations for dog battling in England and Wales and help us to #CancelOutCruelty: https://t.co/SUKKbBqVEE pic.twitter.com/eoQJkrPiUy
— RSPCA (England & Wales) (@RSPCA_official) July 12, 2023
“An average of 19 incidents were being examined each month in 2019 which has actually increased to a stunning 31 a month up until now this year.
“Our figures reveal that in the previous 4 years, the RSPCA has actually discovered and handled 1,156 events of dog fighting in England and Wales. The north of England is the worst area for it, with 42% of the events happening there.
“It’s staggering that something which has actually been unlawful for almost 200 years, which the majority of people would think about consigned to history, is still so swarming.”
“Each year, these reports of cruelty reach its dreadful yearly peak in the summer season.” Ian continued. “Around this time of year nationally we receive a report of an animal being beaten usually every hour of every day.
“We do not understand why reports of animal cruelty peak in the summer season although things like animal abuse being more noticeable as individuals are outdoors more and the cost of living crisis might be significant aspects.
“Dog battling, which is linked to organised criminal activity, is simply among the lots of acts of cruelty we see every year. The RSPCA is the only charity saving animals and examining cruelty in England and Wales with a group of frontline rescue officers, professional veterinarian groups and a network of animal care centres and branches working relentlessly to save animals and offer rehab to animal victims.
🐶 Lara was just 16 weeks old when she was discovered with head injury and fractures to her skull, ribs, cheekbones and jaw 😔
Thankfully, after making a complete healing, she has actually considering that discovered the love she had actually been imagining 🏡
❌ Help us to #CancelOutCruelty: https://t.co/xfYtU2C599 pic.twitter.com/75CQu9GgF9
— RSPCA (England & Wales) (@RSPCA_official) July 6, 2023
“Together, our company believe we can and will counteract cruelty to animals by changing violence with generosity. We’re prompting individuals to contribute to our Cancel Out Cruelty campaign, every contribution will help animals.”
Dog battling was forbidden in England and Wales in 1835 however still goes on today.
Sadly, a number of the dogs utilized by dog fighters are never ever discovered and those who are rescued are typically recognized as prohibited types under the Dangerous Dogs Act and cannot lawfully be rehomed.
The leading 5 hotspot counties in England in between 2019-2023 are:
- London has actually been revealed as the worst hotspot for dog battling with 91 events
- Greater Manchester (82 examinations)
- West Yorkshire (69 examinations)
- West Midlands (59 events)
- Lancashire (56) follows carefully behind.
Ian said: “These 5 locations are the worst hotspots for dog battling throughout England and Wales. The dog battling world is a dark and deceptive location. It might be occurring in an urban storage facility next door to your workplace or on a rural farm in your peaceful town.
“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 authorities. Other suspicious activity consists of dogs being concealed away in sheds or kennels of sight and not worked out in public.
“Dogs who win battles are treasured however those who decline to eliminate or lose are typically abandoned or barbarically killed.
“Overall dog battling in England and Wales has actually increased considering that 2019, leaping from an overall variety of 232 events examined by the RSPCA in 2019 to 355 in 2022. We’ve handled 155 events this year, however we’re just 6 months into the year, so we’re worried we will see this number progressively increase.”
The RSPCA is prompting the general public to be their eyes and ears and to report anything suspicious to them. Anyone who’s worried about the well-being of an animal or believes dog battling might be occurring ought to visit our website to discover how to report cruelty.
