Notorious Dog Fighter Convicted After RSPCA Investigation

A man from South Wales has been convicted of animal cruelty offences following an investigation by the RSPCA.

David Brinley Braddon is named in several illegal magazines produced by the organised dog fighting fraternity, which were seized by covert inspectors from the RSPCA’s special operations unit.

On Friday (18 June 2010) the 47-year-old was found guilty of keeping a dog for fighting and of causing unnecessary suffering to a dog by failing to seek veterinary care for its wounds. He was also convicted of possessing equipment associated with dog fighting. Braddon admitted five counts of owning pit bull terrier type dogs at a previous court hearing.

He was cleared of keeping another four dogs for fighting and also found not guilty of causing unnecessary suffering to a second dog.

Members of the RSPCA special operations unit joined officers from South Wales Police who carried out a warrant at Braddon’s home in Glyn Llwyfen, Llanbradach, near Caerphilly, in March last year. A search of the property revealed five pit bull terrier type dogs living in an elaborate kennel set-up in Braddon’s garage, as well as two treadmills with attachments for dog collars, which are commonly used to train animals for fighting.

Inspectors also found weighing scales and a bottle of the penicillin Duplocillin, which is used to treat injured animals.

Chief Inspector Mike Butcher, from the RSPCA’s special operations unit, said: “It is a major breakthrough for us to successfully prosecute someone like David Braddon. He is a major figure among the British dog fighting community, making it all the more pleasing to see him brought to justice.

“Despite this horrific so-called ‘sport’ being banned as long ago as 1835, there remains a network of organised dog fighters still operating across Britain. These people are responsible for some of the most deliberate and barbaric acts of animal cruelty the Society investigates. It remains a constant battle to find these elusive characters and bring them to justice, but the RSPCA remains entirely committed to doing just that.”

One of the dogs found at Braddon’s home during the search was known as Otis. The animal fitted the name, description and photographs of a dog listed in many magazines and fight reports seized by the RSPCA during its investigations into organised dog fighting.

Braddon is due to appear before Caerphilly magistrates on Thursday 15 July for sentencing.

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