Reports of dog fighting in England have risen by 35% in three years

The vast majority of dog parents are loving and affectionate, caring for their pups and providing them with everything they need for happy, healthy lives.

But while many dogs are living their best lives with the best dog toys , treats, and people to play with, there are of course some canines who aren’t quite as lucky – like those forced into dog fighting.

Indeed, UK charity the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) has shared that reports of dog fighting have increased by 35% over the last four years. The number of incidents reported to the RSPCA was 399 in 2020 but 537 in 2023. Over four years from 2020 to 2023, the charity received a total of 1,734 reports of organized dog fighting in England, and a further 97 in Wales.

Currently, the charity is raising funds through its ‘No Animal Deserves Cruelty’ campaign to help support the efforts of its rescue teams, which help save dogs from this violence.

Will Mitchell, RSPCA Special Operations Unit Chief Inspector, said, “Dog fighting is a draconian and barbaric bloodsport which many people believe society has left behind in history. Sadly though, the reality is that we continue to investigate cases today, involving sophisticated networks of people whose passion is breeding, training, arranging and fighting dogs.”

While the number of reports seems high, the number of reports that lead to prosecutions are low, because it can be difficult to get evidence when gangs can be quite secretive and tight-knit. However, an investigation the RSPCA had been working on for two and a half years, Operation Ghoul, ended in June when three men were jailed and two more were sentenced for their involvement in a dog fighting gang.

Ian Briggs, head of the SOU, said, “We’ve seen cases in which dogs are forced to fight to the death or are left with catastrophic injuries such as broken legs and deep puncture wounds to their heads and faces.

“Tragically, the suffering for these dogs doesn’t end in the fighting pit. Injured and dying dogs can be electrocuted to death or even drowned in bathtubs before their bodies are burned to ash. Dogs who refuse to fight or lose in the pit are abandoned.”

Many of the dogs used in dog fighting are never found after being abandoned, while some dogs who are rescued are identified as banned breeds under the UK’s Dangerous Dogs Act, and can’t legally be rehomed.

Mitchell added: “Dog fighting is a dark, secretive sport but it could be happening near you; in a garage or warehouse in the heart of a city, or on a rural farm in a quiet village.

“We’d urge the public to contact the police or RSPCA if they have any concerns about dog fighting near them. Signs can vary but dogs used in fighting will usually have scars on their face, front legs, and hind legs, and they can also have damaged ears and puncture wounds. Other suspicious activity includes hiding dogs away in outbuildings or kennels and not exercising in public, as well as groups of people meeting with their dogs.”

Organized dog fighting is a very real issue that many canines face around the world. It’s important to remember that dog play fighting , on the other hand, is very much a natural behavior for pups between themselves, and isn’t usually a problem in itself as long as both dogs are happy.