RSPCA investigation smashes one of the UK's biggest dog fighting rings

Tuesday, 15 September 2009 12:00 AM

A 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.

Full charge details:

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.

Tags: