Breaking: One of the Biggest Ever UK Dog Fighting Rings Smashed
Published on September 15, 2009 by K9 Magazine News Editor · 11 CommentsA woman from Lincolnshire who held sickening dog fights in a home-made pit in her garage has been convicted in one of the biggest cases of its type ever brought by the RSPCA.
Claire Parker was today found guilty of holding a dog fight at her home in May 2007, which was attended by people from across England who formed part of one of the biggest organised dog fighting rings in the UK. Parker’s husband John Parker was to face charges relating to dog fighting, but he died in prison before the case reached court.
Mohammed Nasir Farooq, from Birmingham, was also found guilty of attending the fight.
Claire Parker and Farooq, along with a youth aged under 18, were convicted of possession of pit bull terrier type dogs by district judge Richard Blake at the end of a week-long trial held at Lincoln Magistrates Court. Farooq and the youth were also convicted of causing unnecessary suffering.
Gary Adamson, Owen Batey and Kenneth King have already been told they face jail after they admitted attending the dog fight in Lincolnshire. The three men, as well as Christopher Burgess, also admitted the possession of pit bull terrier type dogs that were used for animal fighting.
The seven were caught as part of two major investigations into dog fighting by the RSPCA’s special operations unit named Operations Cannon and Castle. Separate footage obtained by an undercover reporter working on a BBC Panorama investigation into organised dog fighting also provided the RSPCA with vital video evidence to bring these individuals to justice.
Chief inspector Ian Briggs, of the RSPCA’s special operations unit, said: “A search warrant was executed in eight counties across the UK and involved joint RSPCA and police teams. The operation unearthed 35 fighting dogs of which over half had sustained fighting injuries. Dog fighting paraphernalia was also found, including treadmills and breaking sticks.
“As a result 10 people have now been convicted. The RSPCA feels much of the credit for this success is due to the determination and bravery of the late Stephen Ibinson, the reporter who carried out the BBC investigation.
“Dog fighting is a barbaric and cruel so-called sport which belongs in the dark ages and horrific suffering is caused to the dogs involved. Those that continue to pursue this activity should understand that the RSPCA and the police will continue to bring those responsible before the courts.
“Anyone with information about dog fighting should contact the RSPCA in confidence on 0300 1234 999.”
The BBC footage showed Adamson describe in detail a fight which took place at Parker’s Kexby home more than two years ago. The fight was between Adamson’s pit bull terrier type dog Pablo, and another owned by King, called Chief. Adamson was caught on camera naming some of those who attended, while others were tracked down by the RSPCA.
Searches were carried out at several premises, including the homes of the defendants. Equipment including several treadmills, training aids, home veterinary kits and prescription only drugs were all discovered by the RSPCA inspectors who investigated the case. Many of the individuals also had elaborate kennel set-ups at their home addresses, along with several pit bull type dogs that had scars from previous fights.
During a search of Parker’s home, RSPCA inspectors discovered a blood stained fighting pit constructed in the garage. This is believed to be the pit where the fight described by Adamson was held. The inspectors also found three pit bull type dogs, an elaborate set of kennels and treadmills used to train the animals at Parker’s premises.
Today District Judge Richard Blake said of Claire Parker: “I am satisfied that you kept premises that were cruelly adapted for use in dog fights. I do not accept that you were unaware of what the premises were adapted for.
Of Mohammed Nasir Farooq he said: “In my view you set up a training camp in your garden to prepare your dogs for fighting.
“If this were not such a serious case I would find your description of the dogs as family pets laughable. The treadmills were there to train dogs. You kept veterinary supplies because you knew you couldn’t take them to a vet. The manner in which the animals were kept was as fighting dogs.”
The seven will all be sentenced at Lincoln Magistrates Court on Friday, 25 September at 11am.
Jane Adamson, who pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing to causing unnecessary suffering to a pit bull terrier type dog called Pablo, will also be sentenced at this hearing.
Dog Fighting Charges
Gary Adamson (26/01/1971), of Ramsey Crescent, Yarm, Cleveland, admitted six charges: causing an animal fight to take place, taking part in an animal fight, possession of items used in connection with an animal fight, keeping a pit bull terrier type dog called Pablo for use in connection with an animal fight, jointly causing unnecessary suffering to a pit bull terrier type dog called Pablo by failing to provide veterinary attention in respect of injuries caused by fighting and possession of a pit bull terrier type dog known as Pablo.
Owen Anthony Batey (26/11/1968), of Cannock Road, Middlesborough, admitted three charges: causing an animal fight to take place, being present at an animal fight and possession of a pit bull terrier type dog known as Banjo.
Christopher John Burgess (24/11/1966), of Longstone Way, Ladybrook, Mansfield, admitted one charge: joint possession of a pit bull terrier type bitch.
Kenneth Harold King (14/12/73), of Main Street, Ragnall, Newark, Nottinghamshire, admitted eight charges: causing an animal fight to take place, taking part in an animal fight, causing unnecessary suffering to a pit bull terrier type dog known as Chief by causing the animal to fight with another, causing unnecessary suffering to a pit bull terrier type dog known as Chief by failing to obtain veterinary attention in respect of injuries sustained in a fight with another dog, possession of items used in connection with an animal fight, keeping a pit bull terrier type dog known as Chief for use in an animal fight, possession of two pit bull terrier type dogs, and joint possession of a pit bull terrier type bitch.
Claire Amanda Parker (15/12/64), of Kexby Lane, Kexby, Lincolnshire, was convicted of three charges: being present at an animal fight, jointly keeping a premises for use for an animal fight and joint possession of three pit bull terrier type dogs.
Mohammed Nasir Farooq (16/9/75), of Daniels Road, Bordesley Green, Birmingham, admitted one charge: joint possession of three pit bull terrier type dogs.
He was convicted of a further seven charges: taking part in an animal fight, being present at an animal fight, jointly causing unnecessary suffering to a pit bull terrier type dog by causing it to fight with another dog, jointly causing unnecessary suffering to a pit bull terrier type dog by failing to obtain veterinary attention in respect of injuries sustained in a fight with another dog, joint possession of items used in connection with an animal fight, jointly keeping a pit bull terrier type dog for use in an animal fight, and causing unnecessary suffering by failing to prevent a put bull terrier type dog from being injured in encounters with other dogs.
A youth aged under 18 admitted one charge: jointly had possession of three pit bull terrier type dogs.
The youth was convicted of a further five charges: jointly causing unnecessary suffering to a pit bull terrier type dog by causing it to fight with another dog, jointly causing unnecessary suffering to a pit bull terrier type dog by failing to obtain veterinary attention in respect of injuries sustained in a fight with another dog, jointly having possession of items used in connection with an animal fight, jointly keeping a pit bull terrier type dog for use in an animal fight, causing unnecessary suffering by failing to prevent a put bull terrier type dog from being injured in encounters with other dogs.
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Tags: animal char, Animal Cruelty, dog fighting, nasir farooq, uk dog fighting
I think it’s absolutely disgusting that these people will probably get just a slap on the wrist, considering what they have put these poor dogs through. The law needs to be changed in order to deter these monsters from such animal cruelty, before the situation gets out of control, just like it is in the States. How can we a supposedly nation of Dog lovers let this barbaric sport continue.
The good news is they were caught. However i do have one question what happend to the pittbull terriertype dogs? tuned to fighting as they are/were. Not through any fault of their own but exploited for their abillity to fight other dogs. it is horrid that things like this take place despite strict laws against such breeds and their use. It is very sad that any dogbreed is bred for this purpose and thus used for it. What about families who might unsuspectedly buy a puppy of such a fighting breed? only to have what they thought of as a family pet attacking someone within the family or circel of friends? This has happend it is so unfortunate for the victims both the dogs and their human families. This is the reason I am for a ban on these breeds too manny accidents with these breeds. People who are ignorant of their capabillities and traits. Others who should not own these strongwilled dogs because they use them to show how big they the owners are for having these breeds. All the wrong reasons for keeping these breeds. Having dogs of any breed or any mix should live up to the huge responsibillity of dog ownership. It is not enough that we love a certain dogbreed we need knowledge and respect for what we have on the other end of the leash.This is what should rightly be asked of any and all dogowners.
A common misconception. Why would a Pit Bull – bred for fighting or not – attack a person? It has never been bred to attack a person. This logic doesn’t ring true, it’s like saying you should never have a Labrador because it will retrieve children. Or never have a Greyhound because it will be chasing you or your children. A dog is bred with certain innate characteristics, intrinsic to its particular breed type. These drives can be redirected however the trainer chooses. There is a saying in the underground world of dog fighting ‘man eaters die’. ANY dog that shows aggression to humans is killed. I would comfortably argue that the average person is far, far less likely to be bitten when in the presence of those dogs owned by the sicko thugs who fight them that would be the case with a Grandma’s small Terrier inside its own home. I can not sit and watch this old myth perpetuated:- a dog bred to fight other dogs (not people, Pit Bulls are VERY rare as man work dogs ((for a reason)) is no more likely to redirect a fight drive on to a person than a Labrador would redirect its retrieve drive on a small child. It’s simply not true.
I’m glad you agree that the dogs are being abused by these sick individuals but you seem to lack any knowledge about these breeds. Pit Bulls, Staffords etc make fantastic family pets, they always have and always will. Until we realise that these poor animals are just the victims of human abuse nothing will ever get any better. Dog fighting will never stop until we punish the dog fighters, not the poor dogs. They should have massive fines and years in prison. They win thousands abusing animals and then when caught get fined about £1400, they must be laughing their heads off. And for those of you that think dogs trained and used for fighting cannot be helped and must be killed should look up the Michael Vicks case in the US where his fighting dogs have been rehabilitated and re-homed to loving families and even used as Cancer therapy dogs. We as a nation should learn from the Pit Bull, they are abused and tortured but still love humans and do not hold a grudge. If only humans were as forgiving and caring.
People really have a lot to learn about dogs. My family and I attended a dogs show at the weekend (Paws in the Park) and it sickened me to see the reaction of some of the so called dog lovers (or selective dog lovers as I call them) when they saw a Staffie, some of them pulled their dogs away and walked in another direction even though the Staffie was just sitting there being well behaved. These same people didn’t batter an eyelid when other dogs like Huskies were snarling and barking at each other. My point is that people are blinded by what the media tells them, they are scared of dogs because of their looks rather than their behaviour and are fine with a dog being aggressive as long as it looks cute. They also believe that if a dog is aggressive to another dog it must mean they are or might become aggressive to people. This has been proven to be false but again people are not bothered with actual facts they want to believe that these dogs are evil so that they can blame something that can’t argue back.
I’m really sick and tired of dogs getting the blame for peoples wrong doings.
Appeal BSL and up the punishment for dog fighters.
well done ray o’meara, i have tried to explain these points to lisbeth before but was saddened to see it was to no avail.
i hope she actually reads and takes on board what you say.
lisbeth are you suggesting that all powerful breeds should be banned as idiots misstreat them. they kill these banned dogs when they are seized, do you think that this is the correct outcome for all bulldogs, mastiffs, rotties,german shepherds and dare i say it labradores as they attack alot? i hope not.
a pup is what you make it, what a stupid assumption to make that a pitbull puppy will end up mauling the persons kids. its exactly because of attitudes such as yours, however well meaning that dogs are being murdered for the way they look.
I suffer no misconception about these fighting breeds or their traits as familydogs. They have been bred for fighting and therefore pose threath towards other dogs and in some sad cases people. I realy don´t think they should be sold as family pets because of the traits they have. It is by no means their fault. but people who breed these dogs should have more knowledge and respect for their chosen breed these dogs have the abillity to fight and a vast majority of them will do so to please their master/owner. Yes they are sweet as puppies but so are puppies of safer breeds and lets face it there are so manny to choose from that I find curious why people will choose a breed that can and in some cases proves a liabillity for other dogs and for members of their family. Personally I will never choose one of these controversial breeds as I would never trust that dog. I do not hate these breeds. I would just like to see people respect what they have at the other end of the leash in capabel hands they are good working dogs performing vital tasks such as search and rescue handicap dogs ect. However that being said they would not be used by the criminal elements or for fighting if these traits did not exist as part of their breed. They are dangerous in the wrong hands and if you look at the majority of the owners what do you see? People with little to no understanding or respect for what they have at the other end of the leash or young people boys/men who demand respect because of the dogs in their posession this would not be possibel with a poodel. However as long as people are aware of what their chosen breed entail and keep them on leash and know how to handel them I can´t object to these owners keeping them. On the other hand dogfighting and intimidating others with pittbulls amstaffs and the like must be stopped so you may be tiered of hearing that these breeds are dangerous but these are facts and as for being ill informed I will have you know that I have seen first hand what these dogs are capabel of doing and every where they are present people and animals are attacked so don´t tell me they do not pose a threath they do.
So, should we extend the same logic then to any hunting dog? Some of your ‘logic’ is well wide of the mark. You extend the saying that Pit Bulls are ‘dangerous in the wrong hands’, well so is ANY dog. Right down to Labrador puppies – don’t believe me? http://www.dogmagazine.net/archives/633/labrador-kills-child/ – I will repeat it because it bears repeating, ANY dog in the wrong hands can and DOES take human life. So do you extend your thinking to include all/any breed capable of causing injury and death to other humans or other dogs, because if you do you’re condemning all dogs to a life of not being pets and if you don’t, you’re a hypocrite and would be singling out one breed on the basis of no hard stats, facts or logic. But if you want to play the stats game, if you want to actually discover the breed that causes the most human deaths per capita – try the Chow Chow. If seen this argument time and time again from people who say ‘Oh I don’t hate pit bulls’ – the translation should be “Oh, I don’t hate pit bulls, I’m just totally skewed in my thinking toward them.” ANY dog, ANY breed with an irresponsible owner is a threat to human safety and that of other animals – it’s no more true of a Pit Bull as it is a Greyhound, Labrador, Rottweiler or Pomeranian – “Oh, but a Pomeranian in the wrong hands couldn’t cause the sort of damage a Pit Bull can, could it?” – think again: http://www.igorilla.com/gorilla/animal/2001/pomeranian.html – so, either you extend the logic that ALL dogs be regulated the same or, sadly, you are exhibiting the sort of prejudices which you claim not to have. I will not with this argument, I’ve seen it repeated too many times, prejudice is prejudice and simply saying you are not prejudiced whilst exhibiting classically prejudicial behaviour, does not make it so.
Leigh, I totally agree with your opinion. I rescued an English Bull Terrier 3 years ago from a gang who wanted to fight him. He was locked in a celler and constantly beaten to make him aggressive, they even broke his back leg in the process. He is the most gentle boy, loving and fantastic with children, all he needed was love and care which he gets now big time. Its not the breed of dog, its the owners who are resposible for their behaviour. People are too quick to jump on the band wagon and judge dogs by the way they look which demonstrates how small minded they are. The bottom line is,these dogs are trained to fight and then left to die. No matter what breed, its disgusting and should be stopped, bigger sentences is whats needed.
Thank you and I’m really glad that your Bully finally found the loving home he deserves. It’s sick what some people will do to animals but it totally amazes me what forgiving and loving animals dogs are. Humanity can learn a lot from them if they only stopped and opened their eyes for a minute. All the best Leigh.
oops spelling mistake, ryan o meara not ray sorry.
wow lisbeth you really are stuck in your mindset arent you. im sorry but i cant be bothered to try to educate you anymore. you are living in a strange media infused bubble. you have absolutely no clue about dogs whatsoever do you? you say on another article that “ive seen how viscious pitbull puppies are even at 11 weeks old”. astounding. i breed american bulldogs. they play fight like all normal pups. they dont rip each other to pieces as you seem to be suggesting. they spend most of thier time cuddled up together. all they want is love and affection. i am insulted by your inference that we are somehow of dubious character to even want to consider such a breed as a pet. you would never consider one yourself. well to be honest poor you. you are missing out on what is in my opinion the very best, most loyal, most loving type of dog so for this i pity you.