Illegal dog-fighting fear as pet is savaged to death in street
A DEVASTATING picture of savage animals being bred for illegal dog fighting has emerged in London’s East End this week. It follows a pet greyhound that was savaged to death by a crossbreed Staffordshire terrier (similar to one pictured) let lose on the streets
EXCLUSIVE by Gemma Collins
A DEVASTATING picture of savage animals being bred for illegal dog fighting has emerged in London's East End this week.
It follows a pet greyhound that was savaged to death by a crossbreed Staffordshire terrier (similar to one pictured) let lose on the streets of Poplar.
The attack came in the week police seized 14 dogs from a one-bedroom flat in Butler Street in Bethnal Green, two miles away, in which six animals were believed to be illegal and dangerous Pit Bull terriers.
The RSPCA has raised concerns that Pit Bulls are being specifically crossed with Staffordshire Bulls to create dangerous dogs which are kept tied to chains and forced to fight each other.
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OWNER HELPLESS
The devastated owner of the greyhound in Poplar watched helplessly as his pet was viciously attacked by "a dog that wanted to kill."
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He tried to pull the fierce animal off his pet, but it had already sunk its teeth into its throat.
The injured four-year-old greyhound managed to escape-but later had to be put down.
The owner had to go to hospital for treatment for bleeding dog-bitten hands.
"That animal was no ordinary dog," he told the East London Advertiser.
"It didn't just want to fight and wasn't interested in a couple of bites-it wanted to kill. I just can't believe my pet dog has gone."
The owner, who didn't want to be identified, added: "Dog fighting goes on in garages around here. The dogs are brought from all over to fight."
FLAT RAIDED
Police officers closed in on the flat in Bethnal Green on February 27, following concerns from neighbours of loud barking and scratching throughout the day.
Pc Alan Henderson, who led the raid, found the dogs "in appalling condition" and posing a serious risk to neighbours.
A 44-year-old woman and 25-year-old man were arrested for the possession of dangerous dogs and later released on bail.
More than 140 specific breed dogs were dumped by their owners in the past year in Tower Hamlets alone, with 105 having to be put down because they had become so aggressive and unmanageable.
IRRESPONSIBLE OWNERS
Tower Hamlets principal animal warden Dawn Sammons said: "We are seeing Staffs and crosses with big dogs like mastiffs and American bull dogs being owned as a fashion accessory.
"But people don't realise there are no other homes for dogs which have become aggressive and unmanageable through irresponsible ownership."
The next step, the organisation warns, is putting the dogs down.
