Dogs hanging from trees in Gloucester Park to strengthen jaws
ILLEGAL fighting dogs are being made to hang from trees in Gloucester to strengthen their jaws.
Police have had a number of reports from residents about dog teeth marks on tree branches in Gloucester Park.
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Pit bull terrier type dog
It is believed the marks are as a result of owners of dogs used for fighting or protection hanging their animals by their teeth to strengthen their jaws.
"There is only one reason why these teeth marks are there and why people would do this," said police dog handler PC Rich Hunt.
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"These dogs are being conditioned to fight or for security reasons – it strengthens their jaws.
"A dog's natural reaction will be too clamp onto the branch if it cannot reach the ground and hang there. This method is known to us and is quite common."
Despite no reports of illegal dog fighting happening in the county currently, Mr Hunt believes it is a cause for worry.
He said: "We are concerned about it and are keen to speak to anyone who has seen this kind of activity happening. It is usually illegal dogs who are used in this way.
"Quite recently we seized dogs from a property in Podsmead and we also found a tyre attached to a chain there. They would use this to hang the tyre up which the dogs would then hang on to. This circle of people need to be stopped and we really need the help of the public in tracing them."
Police swooped on three flats in Byron Avenue on Friday, August 24 and took away four pets after concerns from the community there.
Two of the dogs were found to be an illegal breed, prohibited under the Dangerous Dogs Act, and were put to sleep. The other two have been returned after not being found to be dangerous
Police have also had reports of this kind of activity through Twitter. Gloucester Police's dog unit can be tweeted at @glospoldogblog.
Comments
by FreeRadical1
Tuesday, September 25 2012, 5:46PM
“In the last fortnight, another four trees in Gloucester Park have had their bark stripped. One of them was ring-barked so will die. Was this done by your friend with her two Staffies then, vbest? The cost of replacing the trees all comes out of everyone's council tax.”
by Raccoon
Saturday, September 22 2012, 3:48PM
“Asodeska, pit bull terriers are already banned in the UK.
Valhalla, I'd like to see the evidence regarding pit bull terriers in America supposedly not attacking people as often as labrador retrievers. There was, after all, a reason why pit bull terriers were banned in the UK.”
by valhalla2010
Wednesday, September 19 2012, 8:26AM
“@ Asodeska- Your comments ref 'the breed' (Pitbull I guess) are wrong. Ongoing studies in America show that a Pitbull is less likely to attack you than a Lab.
Problem is that every time someone gets attacked by one the incident hits the national news.
@honslknjklyt- where and when do the Royals go hunting endangered species? If so then we need to know about this!”
by vbest
Monday, September 17 2012, 1:04PM
“I am totally against dog fighting i think it is horrific, but not everyone should assume that the owners do this to train their dogs to fight, i have a freind who has two staffies and she does this with them as they simply love it and enjoy themselves, she is a dedicated dog owner who would never let any harm come of her dogs, but by letting them do this simply gets some of the energy out of them, and they enjoy it at the same time.
Yes some people may do this but i dont think the papers etc should automatically assume this is what everyone does!!!!”
by dcfc79
Monday, September 17 2012, 12:23PM
“How would the owners like if they were made to bite onto branches high up with they're hands tied behind they're backs”
by geraint2010
Monday, September 17 2012, 11:14AM
“"Perhaps a neutering programme for the owners of such dogs ought to be encouraged." georgette2010.
Excellent idea - and let's 'doctor' the dogs at the same time!”
by forester_girl
Monday, September 17 2012, 10:44AM
“"They also need to ban the breed.
Pit Bulls, as they known popularly, are the most dangerous and unpredictable dogs out there. They are overwhelmingly responsible for the highest numbers of attacks on people.
BAN THE BREED.
Oh, and long, long prison sentences for those who are involved in dog fights, with lengthy periods of hanging from their...."
That is just the sort of ignorance that people get from this. Every single dog has the means to be dangerous. EVERY BREED! Like every single human could kill. It's how you are raised. The people who breed and raise their dogs to fight should be banned from keeping animals. Simple!”
by Asodeska
Sunday, September 16 2012, 3:05PM
“They also need to ban the breed.
Pit Bulls, as they known popularly, are the most dangerous and unpredictable dogs out there. They are overwhelmingly responsible for the highest numbers of attacks on people.
BAN THE BREED.
Oh, and long, long prison sentences for those who are involved in dog fights, with lengthy periods of hanging from their....”
by zalapompadoo
Sunday, September 16 2012, 1:53PM
“this makes my blood boil these poor dogs and im sorry they are poor dogs are forced to fight to the death for what the wicked evil and greedy call entertaiment and of course MONEY the vile flith scumbag will leave the loser who is so badly injured it cannot fight anymore to die a long lingering painful death, round them up and send to the middle east and lets see what the cowards are capable of they would not last a week.”
by Studley1975
Saturday, September 15 2012, 8:27PM
“Dogs Suffering Becase Of Ignorant Owners Again! These Kinds Of Owners Should Be Banned From Keeping Dogs For Life!!! :0/”