Europe: Fighting dogs more common in Britain

Fighting dogs more common in Britain
Published: Feb. 22, 2009 at 1:04 AM

LONDON, Feb. 22 (UPI) -- Fighting dogs are becoming more common in Britain, including pit bulls and crosses with the outlawed breed, The Times of London reported.

Some experts say young gang members may be turning to dogs because of crackdowns on possessing guns and knives.

"It's a serious offense to be caught carrying a gun or knife," said Jan Eachus of the Royal Society for the Protection of Cruelty to Animals. "But if you are walking a status dog you're unlikely to get stopped."

The RSPCA said complaints about fighting dogs have soared in recent years. The group got 24 complaints in 2004 but the number rose to 137 in 2006 and 358 in 2007 -- when there were 132 calls about dog fights in streets and parks.

Ray Greenwood, 63, lost his 10-year-old Jack Russell when it was attacked by another dog in a London park. He said he apparently annoyed the young man who owned by other dog by hitting it with his umbrella in an effort to protect his terrier.

"He got hold of his dog and shouted, 'Get the pup,' before releasing," he said. "It just went for her. It is terrible that this can happen. My wife and I are devastated."

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