Bad week to read the news if you're a dog, part two

[Lobster Martini]

(LM: I have snipped this BBC article about dog fighting in Northern Ireland because of its length, but the link is below. The good part is that dog fighting gangs are being exposed. The flip side is, how can people do this?)

MEP Jim Allister is calling for tighter controls on dog movements throughout Europe following a BBC investigation into illegal dog fighting.

The 17-month investigation uncovered 15 illegal dog fighting gangs in NI.

The Spotlight team found that Tyrone GAA star Gerard Cavlan is a major figure in the world of dog fighting. <snip>

The investigation found that Cavlan, an all-Ireland medal winner, is a senior figure in a dog fighting operation known as The Bulldog Sanctuary Kennels. <snip>

Five of the 15 gangs found to be operating in Northern Ireland are based in Belfast and some of these groups have links to international dog fighting organisations.

One of the gangs, the Tandragee based Farmers Boys, was infiltrated by Spotlight.

The Farmers Boys are involved in dog fighting matches both in Northern Ireland and internationally.

After being taken into the inner circle of group, Spotlight's undercover operator was permitted access to a dog fight in Tandragee.

He said the scenes he saw during a fight were horrific. <snip>

The investigation also led the Spotlight team to Finland where it uncovered an international dog fighting ring and discovered how illegal pit bulls are transported from Europe into Northern Ireland. <snip>

While in Finland, the Spotlight team won the trust of leading pit bull breeder Robert Gonzales who explained how easily pit bulls could be exported into Northern Ireland.

When asked if he registered a dog being exported out of the country as a pit bull on its animal passport, Gonzales explained that he tricked customs officials by marking it as a mixed breed.

"I've imported a lot of dogs so I know how to fool, fool the customs... all you need is a computer and a printer," he said.

(Link: http://newsvote.bbc.co.uk/mpapps/pagetools/print/news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/northern_ireland/6972122.stm)