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Hoodies blamed for massive rise in dog fighting across Britain
Last updated at 12:27pm on 03.06.08
Dangerous: RSPCA has reported a surge in calls about dog fighting over the last year (file photo)
A surge in calls about dog fighting was reported today by the RSPCA.
In 2007, the charity received 358 calls specifically about dog fighting - more than twice as many as in the previous year and 15 times more than in 2004.
The charity said many of the calls referred to youths or 'hoodies' training their dogs to fight in the street or park.
Metropolitan Police statistics also showed an increase in the number of dogs seized in London under the Dangerous Dogs Act.
Between 2003 and 2006, the numbers averaged around 38 dogs a year. Between May 2006 and April 2007, the figure was 173 and in the 12 months to April 2008 the figure was 480.
The figures were highlighted as the RSPCA hosted a summit in London to discuss dangerous dogs. One topic on the agenda is the use of dogs as weapons.
RSPCA chief officer of the inspectorate, Tim Wass, said: 'These new figures confirm what the public, our inspectors, other charities and our animal hospitals have been telling us - that there is a real problem at the moment with people using dogs for aggression and fighting.
'Our concern is that talk of dog-fighting promotes images of "dangerous" or "devil" dogs, when in the vast majority of cases, it is the owner who is causing the problem, not the dog.'
RSPCA announced its findings as it emerged there were 4,660 hospital admissions due to dog attacks between 2006 and 2007.
According to figures by analysts Datamonitor, commissioned by insurance company LV, this compares to around 4,130 the previous year and around 3,000 up to five years ago.
The average hospital admission is serious enough to result in a two day stay, said the research.
Reader views (5)
I thought that vicious breeds of dogs were banned under labour laws.
Why are people getting away with breeding dogs like pitbul terriers. Get the police out of their offices and start arresting a few dog breeders before another child is ripped to death and those idiot politicians wring their hands and bring in more useless laws.
- Mick Wright, Northants Uk
I too am fed up of having to cross the road... not that the dogs are automatically dangerous in themselves, but because the thoughtlessly bandwagon-jumping (and often very young) kids have taken on a pet they have no hope of being able to control.
- Karli, Tottenham London
The DDA not only encompasses certain breeds and types of dogs, but also dogs dangerously out of control in a public place.
Lets remember that.
Lets also remember that the majority of us are responsible dog owners.
Prosecute more rigorously those that aren't.
A lot of people can't even be bothered to pick up after their dogs, so how do we expect this 'yob' culture to behave in a responsible manner?
Well done to the RSPCA for stating that often the wrong end of the lead is targeted - ie, punish the owners not just the dog. Any type of dog.
- T Randall, UK
I live in inner London and am fed up having to cross the street to avoid young kids who are in sole charge of Staffordshire terriers and other potentially dangerous and aggressive dogs. Of course, the dogs are usually not even on a lead. I find them very intimidating and don't see why I should have to put up with them and the mess they leave everywhere. Why don't the police and/or local councils do something about it?
- Nigel, London
Just put the owners down. Bring back dog licenses its high time this happened.
- Fly, london
