A SUSPECTED dog fighting ring has been uncovered after police arrested ten people and seized animals in a series of raids.
Detectives said they believed one of the houses raided, in Accrington, could have been being used as a dog training centre.
Police said two caged pit-bull type dogs were discovered at a derelict house in Crossland Street, as part of the joint investigation with the RSPCA.
A further two similar dogs, suspected of being illegal and banned under the Dangerous Dogs Act, along with Class A drugs were also seized at other addresses.
The ten people were arrested in Willows Lane, Blackburn Road, Crossland Street, Richmond Road, Steiner Street and Monk Street on suspicion of animal welfare offences under the Dangerous Dogs Act.
Veterinary kits and an industrial freezer containing what appeared to blood were also seized
Police officers have secured the houses so they could be searched and the dogs have been taken to RSPCA kennels so they can be examined by the Government vet to discover their exact breed.
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Chief Inspector Mike Butcher from the RSPCA Special Operations Unit, said dog fighting was "abhorrent and cruel".
He said: "Dog-fighting was banned in this country over 150 years ago, but still continues today.
"The RSPCA is determined to give the message that this is not acceptable.
"We are extremely pleased with the operation and would like to thank Lancashire Constabulary for their help and co-operation throughout."
Detective Inspector Pete Simm said that the raids demonstrated the commitment of the force to take action against anyone believed to be housing dangerous dogs or breeding them to fight.
He added: "I would like to reassure members of the community that this is not a widespread problem but an isolated and localised issue."
He said officers will be investigating whether the address in Crossland Street was being used as a "training centre."
And he added that the raids were a result of the increased flow of information from the public following the death of five-year-old Ellie Lawrenson, who was mauled by a pit bull in St Helens last December.
He said: "People are now being extra vigilant and informing the police. We received information from the local community and acted upon that.
"I think the dogs are being bred for two reasons, the first being for fighting purposes, which inflicts a lot of degrading suffering on the dog itself. Another reason why they are being bred is because of the stigma attached to owning a dog like that. It gives the person kudos and can be seen as a macho status symbol."
Hyndburn MP Greg Pope said: "Dog fighting is barbaric and cruel. I am really pleased that the police are taking this seriously. "
Brian Roberts, chair of Hyndburn Community Safety Partnership, said: "We are determined to ensure that this vile practise is stamped out."
Earlier this month, Nasar Khan, of July Street, Blackburn, appeared in court after police found nine illegal, unlicensed pit bull terriers chained up around a house he owned.
He pleaded guilty to eight charges of owning fighting dogs and one of allowing one of the dogs to be in a public place without a muzzle or lead and has been warned that he faces jail when he is sentenced.
Posted by: buttercup, Blackburn on 4:48pm Fri 22 Jun 07
Looking at the picture of the dog she's just had puppies, watching on TV last night and seeing the pictures today the poor dog was kept in disgusting conditions. She really doesn't appear to be a 'dangerous' dog just a product of very bad ownership. If you don't want a dog to care for and love, don't bother. It's probably best this dog has been taken away as I'm sure with some love and attention she'll be a warm natured, loving dog.
Looking at the picture of the dog she's just had puppies, watching on TV last night and seeing the pictures today the poor dog was kept in disgusting conditions. She really doesn't appear to be a 'dangerous' dog just a product of very bad ownership. If you don't want a dog to care for and love, don't bother. It's probably best this dog has been taken away as I'm sure with some love and attention she'll be a warm natured, loving dog.
Posted by: Baudelaire, Blackburn on 9:48am Mon 25 Jun 07
I suggest we all stand round and watch these sub-humans being savaged by dogs. Unfortunately I suspect a slap on the wrist will be more likely.
Throw away the key ...
I suggest we all stand round and watch these sub-humans being savaged by dogs. Unfortunately I suspect a slap on the wrist will be more likely.
Throw away the key ...
Having visited diggingout.org,nothi
ng would give me greater pleasure than to take any one of these so-called 'Terriermen' and shoot him in his face...These vile individuals are nothing more than uneducated scum with vicious cruel streaks...Put THEM to death!
Having visited diggingout.org,nothi
ng would give me greater pleasure than to take any one of these so-called 'Terriermen' and shoot him in his face...These vile individuals are nothing more than uneducated scum with vicious cruel streaks...Put THEM to death!
Posted by: Anon, Accrington on 10:00am Sun 1 Jul 07
It just shows these people for what they really are - idiots. Have they nothing better to do than stand round watching dogs rip each other to bits? Like I said in a previous blog, the government are too soft. What punishment will they get? A slap on the hand and told not to do it again probably. I believe they should bring back national service. Not only would it keep scum like this off our streets but it would do them the world of good. There I go again going off the point.
It just shows these people for what they really are - idiots. Have they nothing better to do than stand round watching dogs rip each other to bits? Like I said in a previous blog, the government are too soft. What punishment will they get? A slap on the hand and told not to do it again probably. I believe they should bring back national service. Not only would it keep scum like this off our streets but it would do them the world of good. There I go again going off the point.
Posted by: gemma, blackburn on 8:00pm Wed 4 Jul 07
i think its disgraceful what they do to them dogs.the dogs are great dogs if they are brought up wel and loved and the people that do it sould get alot longer in prison because its murder.
i think its disgraceful what they do to them dogs.the dogs are great dogs if they are brought up wel and loved and the people that do it sould get alot longer in prison because its murder.
[bold]bold[/bold] [bold]bold[/bold] Actually i know the people at Crossland Street very well and i know they do not fight there dogs and all dogs are looked after very well ! They look after there dogs better than anyone i know and i know each individual dog and knowing that they are not dangerous and definately not fighting animals. It has been proved that the dogs who live at one crossland street are not fighters the only thing is is that the papers have not published that bit trying to make the oweners look bad when they are the best dog owners ive ever met. So i suggest that people dont judge others on what the papers say and if they do not know them[bold]bold[/bold]
Actually i know the people at Crossland Street very well and i know they do not fight there dogs and all dogs are looked after very well ! They look after there dogs better than anyone i know and i know each individual dog and knowing that they are not dangerous and definately not fighting animals. It has been proved that the dogs who live at one crossland street are not fighters the only thing is is that the papers have not published that bit trying to make the oweners look bad when they are the best dog owners ive ever met. So i suggest that people dont judge others on what the papers say and if they do not know them
[quote][bold]Anon[/bold] wrote:
It just shows these people for what they really are - idiots. Have they nothing better to do than stand round watching dogs rip each other to bits? Like I said in a previous blog, the government are too soft. What punishment will they get? A slap on the hand and told not to do it again probably. I believe they should bring back national service. Not only would it keep scum like this off our streets but it would do them the world of good. There I go again going off the point. [/quote] Oh aye National Service. Just how many died needlessly in WW1 alone to supply cannon fodder with that lark.
Standing around watching others being blown to bits in any war.
Anyone who churns up that remark should be made to do it themselves and I don't care how old you are.
Anon wrote:
It just shows these people for what they really are - idiots. Have they nothing better to do than stand round watching dogs rip each other to bits? Like I said in a previous blog, the government are too soft. What punishment will they get? A slap on the hand and told not to do it again probably. I believe they should bring back national service. Not only would it keep scum like this off our streets but it would do them the world of good. There I go again going off the point.
Oh aye National Service. Just how many died needlessly in WW1 alone to supply cannon fodder with that lark.
Standing around watching others being blown to bits in any war.
Anyone who churns up that remark should be made to do it themselves and I don't care how old you are.
[quote][bold]BLT[/bold] wrote:
Looks like Lewis H is another Oswaltwistle 'genius' with a huge vocabulary...[/quote] why delete my messages? because they say that they arent dangerous dogs? my yorkshire terrier plays around with that one on the front of the paper so i dont think its very harmful
BLT wrote:
Looks like Lewis H is another Oswaltwistle 'genius' with a huge vocabulary...
why delete my messages? because they say that they arent dangerous dogs? my yorkshire terrier plays around with that one on the front of the paper so i dont think its very harmful
I know them dogs all by name that was taken from crossland st and not one of them are fighting dogs trust me not everything the papers say are true dont forget the papers have to write somat!!
I know them dogs all by name that was taken from crossland st and not one of them are fighting dogs trust me not everything the papers say are true dont forget the papers have to write somat!!
i am ??????? and all the dogs are great they are soft we would never let them fight the papers write a load of **** cause they dnt no **** jst listen to wat muppets say n tell them. the dogs arent fighting dogs but loving family pets so **** off n get ur facts right
i am ??????? and all the dogs are great they are soft we would never let them fight the papers write a load of **** cause they dnt no **** jst listen to wat muppets say n tell them. the dogs arent fighting dogs but loving family pets so **** off n get ur facts right
Posted by: jackied, merseyside on 2:25am Sat 25 Aug 07
the breed of dog shouldn't be banned, it's the who should be locked up .low life scum don't dont care about any form of life including humans, put these people in a pit with the dogs they abuse and let the public make bets on how long they will last!
the breed of dog shouldn't be banned, it's the who should be locked up .low life scum don't dont care about any form of life including humans, put these people in a pit with the dogs they abuse and let the public make bets on how long they will last!
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