The RSPCA has welcomed the sentencing of a man convicted of offences related to dog fighting
The RSPCA’s Special Operations Unit has welcomed the sentencing of a 31-year-old man at Southend Magistrates Court.
Anthony Alan Pearson of Buxton Road, Waltham Abbey, Herts, pleaded guilty to four charges of owning dangerous dogs and one charge of causing unnecessary suffering by failing to provide veterinary care.
On Friday23 August, Southend Magistrates sentenced him to three months in prison for each of the five charges, which he will serve concurrently. He was also banned from keeping dogs for life.
The magistrate ordered the four dogs, one of which was found with more than 50 injuries, to be destroyed unless the RSPCA could show the dogs could be safely rehomed.
When officers and police visited Mr Pearson’s home in May, they discovered items associated with dogfighting. These included saline drips used for treating dogs suffering from shock, dogfighting photos, videos and magazines.
Video footage of dogs fighting in Mr Pearson’s house was also found. The raid was part of Operation Flute, a nationwide crackdown on dogfighting.
Chief Inspector Mike Butcher, from the RSPCA’s Special Operations Unit said: “Dogfighting should not be happening in the 21st century and we are pleased that the judge sent out a clear message that this activity will not be tolerated.
“Anyone who uses their dogs for this activity is risking serious injury to their animal and is also breaking the law.
“Our inspectors are constantly working to eliminate cruel gangs that take part in this vicious ‘sport’.
“We will continue to prosecute these people and do our best to put a stop to such abhorrent and barbaric behaviour.”
The RSPCA is appealing for anyone with information about illegal dogfights to contact the RSPCA’s national helpline (tel: 08705 555999). A reward of up to £1,000 is offered for information that leads to a successful conviction.
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