RSPCA sees dog fighting calls rise

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

In 2007, the charity received 358 calls specifically about 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."