Dog fighting on the rise in Powys last year says RSPCA

The figures were revealed as part of research done by the RSPCA as part of their Cancel Out Our Cruelty Campaign which launched at the start of the month.

Powys was found to be the equal second worst county for the practice last year, along with Caerphilly, with three rings busted in each county - with only Swansea having more incidents with four.

RSPCA dog fighting expert and Special Operations Unit (SOU) chief inspector for Wales, Ian Muttitt, said: “Sadly we are back seeing pre-pandemic levels of dog fighting incidents.

“Across England and Wales we were seeing an average of 19 incidents investigated every month in 2019 and that has risen to a shocking 31 a month so far this year. While last year in Wales there was a notable increase in dog fighting incidents.

“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.”

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Dog fighting was outlawed in England and Wales in 1835 but still goes on today – with 1,156 incidents of dog fighting across England and Wales since 2019.

The RSPCA recently launched its Cancel Out Cruelty campaign, to raise funds to help its frontline rescue teams continue to save animals from cruelty and abuse and to raise awareness about how to stop cruelty to animals for good.

Sadly, many of the dogs used by dog fighters are never found and those who are rescued are often identified as  banned breeds under the Dangerous Dogs Act and cannot legally be rehomed.

“Each year, these reports of cruelty reach its terrible annual peak in the summer months,” said Mr Muttitt. “Around this time of year nationally we receive a report of an animal being beaten on average every hour of every day.

“The dog fighting world is a dark and secretive place. It could be happening in an inner-city warehouse next door to your office or on a rural farm in your quiet village.

“Signs of dog fighting can vary but if you notice a dog with lots of scars on its face, front legs, hind legs and thighs, or with puncture wounds and mangled ears - this could be a sign of dog fighting and should be reported to the RSPCA or the police. Other suspicious activity includes dogs being hidden away in outbuildings or kennels of sight and not excercised in public.

“Dogs who win fights are prized but those who refuse to fight or lose are often abandoned or killed.”