Cambridgeshire is one of five dog fighting hotspots in the East of England, according to new figures released by the RSPCA today. 

The RSPCA says it has dealt with 98 cases of dog fighting in the east of England since 2019, most have occured in Essex (29) but there were 22 reports in Cambridgeshire.

The leading animal welfare charity has released the new figures as part of its Cancel Out Cruelty Campaign. 

RSPCA dog fighting expert and special operations unit (SOU) chief inspector, Ian Muttitt, said: “Our figures show that in the past four years the RSPCA has uncovered and dealt with 98 incidents of dog fighting just in the east of England, let alone in the rest of England and Wales.

“It’s staggering that something which has been illegal for almost 200 years, which most people would consider consigned to history, is still so rife.”

The RSPCA’s Cancel Out Cruelty campaign, aims to raise funds to help its frontline rescue teams continue to save animals from cruelty and abuse and to raise awareness about how to stop cruelty to animals for good.

“Each year, these reports of cruelty reach its terrible annual peak in the summer months.” Ian continued.

“Around this time of year nationally we receive a report of an animal being beaten on average every hour of every day. 

“We don’t know why reports of animal cruelty peak in the summer months although things like animal abuse being more visible as people are outdoors more and the cost of living crisis could be major factors."

“Dog fighting, which is connected to organised crime, is just one of the many acts of cruelty we see every year.

"The RSPCA is the only charity rescuing animals and investigating cruelty in England and Wales with a team of frontline rescue officers, specialist vet teams and a network of animal care centres and branches working tirelessly to save animals and provide rehabilitation to animal victims."

Dog fighting was outlawed in England in 1835.

Sadly, many of the dogs used by dog fighters are never found and those who are rescued are often found to be banned breeds under the Dangerous Dogs Act and cannot legally be rehomed.