Dog fighting ring busted in Sichuan after noise draws police
Staff Reporter 2015-09-06 09:11
A referee looks on as two dogs are forced to fight each other in the playground in Suining. (Internet photo)
An illegal underground dog fighting syndicate in Suining in southwest China's Sichuan province was busted by police on Aug. 30, reports the Chengdu-based Huaxi Metropolis Daily.
The syndicate was based in a playground in a rural neighborhood of the city and police came upon it due to the crowds drawn by the fights. The noise of the crowd cheering and the barking and yelping of the dogs could reportedly be heard from some distance. The dogs were divided into different weight classes and the roof for individual bets was 10,000 yuan (US$1,570). Those running the syndicate earned a commission on each bet.
Dog fighting has a long history in China. Pit bulls, Tosas and Brazilian, Argentine and Canary mastiffs are common breeds used in fights. Dogs are often killed by their owners if they don't win — if they are not killed in the fight.
A thirteen-year-old boy was among those at the playground in Suining watching the bloody spectacle, cheering for a dog called Liebao. Liebao did not win the second round of his first fight, however, and was almost killed in his second fight, the report said.
Police detained the organizers on Aug. 28 and will indict them soon, the report said.
Internet users responded with outrage to the news, blasting dog fighting as a cruel blood sport.
Though illegal in most territories, dog fighting still enjoys a certain amount of popularity in countries around the world and is still quite common in Afghanistan, India and China.
The reason for the police intervention in China is more due to the gambling that accompanies the practice rather than animal abuse, as this is a bigger priority for the authorities.
