Cruel dog-fighting syndicate busted
Eight people were arrested in connection with a dog-fighting syndicate in Attridgeville after the NSPCA rescued a dog that was used to train other dogs to fight, the NSPCA said on Friday.
A dog was found dead when the NSPCA responded to a tip-off about a dog-fighting syndicate in Attridgeville. This led to the arrest of eight people who were involved in the brutality of the dog’s death.
“We found a dog that was used as bait to train other dogs to fight. Her mouth was tied with duct tape and she was chained so there was no escape or defence against the dogs that set upon her in a frenzied attack. The people responsible for this allowed the dog to be killed by a pit bull when they realised she was no longer of use. Her body was broken and bleeding, showing clear evidence of previous injuries, scarring and abuse,” said NSPCA spokesperson Wendy Wilson.
The dog, which was given no name and no treatment for her injuries, was used as a victim in three training fights on
one particular day and possibly six times in a three-day period.
Wilson stated that during the dog-fighting bust, they managed to rescue six other dogs that were going to be used as bait after saving another two dogs the previous week.
“Two dogs had already been removed from the same premises last week. We found another bait dog and he is severely injured and scarred. He is a small pit bull that was probably not a good fighter or was too old,” said Wilson.
The NSPCA responded to a tip-off regarding the animal brutality, which was accompanied by a video depicting the vicious trainings. “We were sent evidence via a video clip to support the incident. Watching the footage is extremely disturbing and is a sickening, ghastly revelation of the heartless, unrelenting and barbaric cruelty inflicted upon a helpless dog,” Wilson added.
She emphasised that there is a link between animal cruelty and human violence. “Condoning such a violent sport and gaining enjoyment screams out ‘beware!’ South Africans should be aware of these dog-fighting syndicates and the consequences they have on society. We are committed to bringing those involved to justice and to vigorously pursuing all who partake in or support the illegal activity of dog fighting in any way,” Wilson said.
Police spokesperson, Captain Thomas Mufamadi, was unavailable for comment.
