Animal fighting worst in the West Midlands
The RSPCA received more calls about organised animal fighting in the West Midlands than any other region in England and Wales last year, according to new figures released.
The charity received 594 calls connected to animal fighting in 2014, an increase of nearly 33% compared with 449 in 2010.
In the West Midlands there were 48 calls last year, which is higher than Greater London (36) and Greater Manchester (35).
Chief inspector Ian Briggs, from the RSPCA's special operations unit which investigates organised animal crime, said the figures came as no surprise.
"People look at me with amazement when I tell them about some of the things I've seen and heard of when it comes to dogfighting and cockfighting. Some people simply can't believe it still happens, but it does and these new figures show that it is as much a problem now, if not more, than any other point in recent years
"Hopefully one day organised animal fighting can truthfully be described as a thing of the past. Until then, we'll keep investigating and try to bring about an end to such horrific levels of animal cruelty."
