THE SAVAGE WORLD OF DOG FIGHTS
MONEY TALKS: LARGE SYNDICATES CAN BET MILLIONS ON ONE FIGHT – EVEN HEFTY FINES ARE MEANINGLESS
Just one out of 14 fighting dogs survived – the rest were put down.
D og fighting is on the increase and there is “big bucks” behind these organised crime syndicates. This is according to Mariette Hopley, the head of the National Animal Welfare Task Team. She says although the team is making headway in catching those responsible, the biggest challenge is to prosecute these criminals.
With the largest dog-fighting ring bust in 18 years earlier this week, many animal welfare groups are calling for tighter animal protection legislation.
On Sunday, 18 men were caught in the act on the East Rand. Only one of the scheduled dog fights took place before the police raided the ring. Thirteen suspects appeared in the Tsakane Magistrate’s Court on Monday and were denied bail. Fourteen pitbull dogs were confiscated and all but one of the dogs had to be put down, due to their severe injuries.
Hopley says the perpetrators often only receive a slap on the wrist. “In very few cases do we see actual jail time. Many of the criminals have a lot of money behind them. In some of the larger syndicates a bet of R1.5 million will easily be made on one fight. So a fine of up to R300 000 is nothing for some of these guys,” she said.
In very few cases do we see actual jail time. Many of the criminals have a lot of money behind them Mariette Hopley Head of National Animal Welfare
The Animal Protection Act is more than 50 years old and even suggests whipping as punishment. “We need to revise our current legislation. I believe it is primarily the SPCA’s responsibility to tackle the issue – but not solely theirs. All welfare organisations need to stand together to make changes to the law,” Hopley says.
According to the NSPCA the law does not need changing. “It’s not the Animal Protection Act that is the problem, but the enforcement and interpretation of that Act. Unfortunately, many people do not consider animals important. In terms of the actual animal protection legislation, South Africa has the third strongest in the world,” a senior inspector of the SPCA says.
On Thursday, the Animal Welfare Task Team apprehended a suspected dog-fighting syndicate member while transporting several dogs. The team believes the dogs were being take to another African country.
Hopley says last year 120 000 dogs crossed SA borders and a high number of these were stolen.