Dog fighting rings ‘rife in north Scotland’
17 Jul 2008 10:30
CLANDESTINE and illegal dog fighting rings are more rife in the north east of Scotland than elsewhere in the country, according to animal welfare experts.
They are investigating instances in towns and cities across the north-east including Fraserburgh, Peterhead and Macduff, as well as Dundee – and there has been a report of a dog-fighting ring within Aberdeen city.
Drug dealing
They say reports of the activity are soaring and that drug dealing is believed to be a crucial link.
The people involved apparently see it is a mark of ‘prestige’ to own top fighting dogs or be invited to watch canines pitted against each other.
The Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SSPCA) has been told of six instances of dog fighting in the region over the past six months – one of them last week.
It is believed a member of the public noticed suspicious injuries to a dog and informed an Aberdeen-based welfare charity last week.
They reported the matter to the SSPCA who, in turn, notified the police.
An SSPCA officer who works covertly across Scotland said intelligence suggests the activity is most prevalent across the north east of the country and is linked to the region’s chronic drug problem.
Drug dealers and their associates view ownership of the dogs or invitations to fights as a mark of prestige, he added.
A line of enquiry relates to a picture uncovered on the internet 18 months ago of two men living in the north east who are known to be involved in dog fighting and who blanked out their faces in a bid to prevent recognition.
Suzanne Mennie, chairman of Aberdeen-based animal charity Pet & Animal Welfare Support Service Aberdeen (Pawss), said she has heard numerous reports of dog fighting within Aberdeen city and Aberdeenshire.
“Because it is underground, people don’t realise it’s happening here,” she said.
“In the last four years I have had information about places like Banff, Peterhead and Fraserburgh; there’s a big network of people involved who will use warehouses or basements – anywhere that’s not close to a public area.
“They are very specifically chosen sites. It’s not a quiet event so it’s got to be isolated.”
Tell-tale signs
She asked people to look to their conscience and notify the SSPCA if they suspect they know someone involved.
Tell-tale signs are injuries to the face, ears, shoulders and ears of dogs – usually pit bulls or Staffordshire Bull Terrier types, she said.
“Sometimes the dogs will receive injuries that can be treated by their owners but sometimes they’re so bad that they can only be used for breeding or be killed,” Mrs Mennie said.
“I have heard of a dog being shot after a fight in the Montrose area.
“It is unlikely they will be taken to a vet because vets will be able to tell how the dogs received their injuries.”
Anyone with information can call SSPCA’s dog-fighting hotline in confidence on 0870 240 4832.
Financial rewards are available for information.