RSPCA: Blackburn men jailed after admitting dog fighting in park

Friday, 27 November 2009 12:00 AM

Two men from Blackburn have been jailed and banned from keeping animals after they admitted fighting their dogs, in a case brought by the RSPCA.

Aftab Razzaq and Usman Hussain admitted goading and fighting their dogs in broad daylight on Troy Street Fields, in Blackburn, after the police were handed mobile phone footage incriminating the pair.

Razzaq, of Clinton Street, Blackburn, was sentenced to four months in jail after he admitted causing and participating in a dog fight with his pit bull terrier type dog Benny. The 25-year-old was also sentenced to three months custody after he admitted causing unnecessary suffering to the dog by failing to get treatment for his injuries and one month custody for a welfare offence related to the filthy conditions in which the animal was kept. The sentences will run concurrently.

Hussain, 22, of St James's Road, Blackburn, was sentenced to three months in jail. He had pleaded guilty to taking part in a dog fight with his Staffordshire bull terrier Reefer.

Both men were also banned from keeping any animal for 10 years. They were told by magistrates that the dog fight had been pre-arranged in a public place, where innocent members of the public could have been put at risk.

Chief inspector Ian Briggs, from the RSPCA's special operations unit, said: "These men used the excuse that they weren't dog fighters, but were just showing off. This couldn't be further from the truth.

"Razzaq and Hussain had deliberately trained and goaded their dogs to hate each other. They took open delight in fighting them for their own sick entertainment.

"Dog fighting is barbaric and causes horrific injuries and suffering to those animals involved. Just because these men claim they were only showing off, it doesn't make it any less serious or cruel.

"Sadly this type of case, where people are fighting their dogs in parks in a pathetic attempt to boost their own ego, is becoming more common as people use dogs as a status symbol.

"Anyone who suspects or sees dog fighting, no matter where or when, should call the RSPCA in confidence on 0300 1234 999. While people continue to practice this so-called 'sport', we'll continue to prosecute them."

The pair were caught after mobile phone footage of them goading and fighting their dogs in Troy Street Fields, Blackburn, was handed in to Lancaster police station by a member of the public. The footage was clearly labelled 'Reefer versus Benny' and showed both Razzaq and Hussain deliberately fighting their dogs.

The evidence was passed to the RSPCA's special operations unit, which carried out a joint operation with Lancashire Police on 6 April this year when warrants were executed at the defendants' home addresses.

The dogs were seized and eventually signed over to the RSPCA by the two men who were arrested by the police and interviewed by the RSPCA.

Both Razzaq and Hussain indicated to the court that they intend to appeal against their sentences.

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Notes to editors

A link to download footage of the dogs shown in court during case is available from the RSPCA national press office, as well as photographs.

Telephone interviews with chief inspector Ian Briggs can be arranged upon request.

RSPCA, Wilberforce Way, Southwater, Horsham, West Sussex RH13 9RS
Press office direct lines: 0300 123 0244/0288 Fax: 0303 123 0099
Duty press officer (evenings and weekends) Tel 08448 222888 and ask for pager number 828825
Email: press@rspca.org.uk Website: www.rspca.org.uk

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