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“Specialised Security Services” has posted previous projects against the brutal and violent blood “sport” of dogfighting.
This is a “sport” that turns dogs (specifically trained to be ferocious), against one another in a ring or pit for the purposes of gambling or the entertainment of spectators.
Dogfighting is illegal in South Africa
The fights usually last until one dog is declared the winner when the other dog fails to scratch, dies or jumps out of the pit.
Dogfighting generates revenue from stud fees, admission fees and gambling.
It is extremely popular in the underground world and is supported by highly organised syndicates.
Although pit bulls are often associated with dogfighting, other mixed breed dogs and other large dog breeds known for their aggression are also used.
These dogs are trained from birth in excruciating training programmes to be even more aggressive.
The training routines are very brutal and completely abusive.
It is known that the dogs are chained to treadmills for hours, beaten and starved.
Trainers set their dogs on other animals to teach them to attack and kill.
Weaker or docile dogs are used as bait.
These “cold” dogs as they are known in dogfighting circles are seen as disposable targets used to train the prizefighter dogs.
Dogfighting events occur throughout our country and include both poor and wealthy citizens.
Wealthy owners are prepared to import semen of champion dogs from overseas.
It is a completely different league when you assess the huge amounts of money spent on these prize dogs, the events and the amounts gambled.
The dogs are matched against similar dogs with regard to monetary value.
After such a fight, owners have the financial means to put the dogs on drips, stitch them up, and pay for veterinarian aftercare.
Also, the poorest of the poor want to cash in on dogfighting and gambling.
It is particularly prevalent in the Western Cape region.
Night-time dogfighting in places such as Cloetesville showcases hundreds of dogs participating in a single event.
Children are used to take the dogs to and from such events, to avoid suspicion or the arrest of the dog owners.
A fight can last up to three and a half hours!
Offenders may be liable for a fine of up to R80,000.00 and/or face two years in prison.
It is a criminal offence to watch a dogfight or be on the same property where such an event is being held.
In addition, offenders will have a criminal record and can also be denied animal ownership for a period determined by a magistrate.
SUBSEQUENT CRIMES:
Illegal gambling is associated with dogfighting as well as illegal weapons and drug dealing which are linked with these events.
It is also known that dogs and cats are being stolen as bait animals.
These animals are even stolen by force, including direct theft at gunpoint.
Bait dogs (and cats) are used to blood/train fighting dogs.
Often their teeth and nails will be filed or removed, their mouths closed with duct, and they will be further restrained when the fighting dog is instructed to attack.
They are horrifically mauled, and if not killed outright, they are not given any treatment for their wounds and are used until they die, or are dumped to suffer slow and painful deaths.
A recent Facebook post claims that owners of fighters are paying children from poor backgrounds to steal bait animals in return for food hampers and money.
The children are being paid:
Adult cat – R10.00 or 2 kg samp and beans with cabbage and beef bones.
10 kittens – R30.00 or 2 kg rice, 5 kg maize meal, 2 kg chicken pieces.
Small breed dog – R15.00.
Medium breed dog – R28.00.
Large breed dog – R37.00.
The children also watch homes and mark the targeted boundary walls with white chalk.
Universal remotes and jammers are used to gain access and steal the animals.
In the case of large breed dogs, a red dot sticker is placed on the gate, and the dogs are then stolen by adults.
