Dog fighting is a largely hidden and illegal activity in the UK. The individuals involved typically conceal their identities, fearing arrest. A recent IT mistake by one participant inadvertently exposed elements of a major dog fighting network in Europe, leading to a BBC investigation.
The BBC uncovered fighting kennels located in diverse areas of the UK, ranging from urban housing estates to historical estates. This investigation followed an online leak of match reports documenting numerous dog fights and the injuries sustained by the animals involved. Animal welfare organizations, including the League Against Cruel Sports (LACS) and the Ulster Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (USPCA), used this information to trace a complex network spanning the UK and Europe.
Evidence suggests that dog fighting is more prevalent than previously believed, with LACS reporting over 600 dog fighting incidents since 2024, marking a 50% increase in reports over the past two years. Experts claim that the actual number of dog fights occurring is likely much higher due to the inherent secrecy surrounding the activity.
The BBC’s investigation revealed that some dog fighting kennels operate in unexpected locations, such as a housing estate in County Armagh and within the grounds of Shane’s Castle Estate, where Boneyard Kennels was identified as a significant player. The estate stated it was unaware of the operations occurring on its grounds.
Further inquiries indicated that David Patterson, a mixed-martial arts coach linked to Boneyard Kennels, denied participating in dog fighting. Evidence also pointed to Craig Kitson, who allegedly operated under the alias “Spongebob” and has a controversial history flagged by a past incident involving a deceased dog.
Undercover efforts by the BBC infiltrated online platforms, leading to a meeting with one syndicate member in Amsterdam. This member, Zoltan Borbe, claimed to have a grand champion dog and provided videos to demonstrate the dog’s fighting attributes.
The dogs involved in fighting are often at risk of euthanasia, especially breeds like pit bulls, which are banned in the UK. Ruby, one of the dogs highlighted in the investigation, is currently being rehabilitated in a specialist center in the Netherlands.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/ce9r1e5j3r3o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss