Rescued dogs 'could be put down'

This dog was being trained on a treadmill

Dozens of dogs face being put down after RSPCA raids at 16 homes across the Birmingham area.

The animal charity said this was its largest ever single operation.

Some 47 dogs were seized by animal welfare inspectors and West Midlands Police across the city, but the animals face an uncertain future.

Ten men were arrested for possession of dangerous dogs and alleged dog-fighting offences. The dogs are said to be so dangerous that they cannot be rehomed.

The raids followed a 12-month investigation, and the RSPCA believes the men all know each other and fight as one kennel in Birmingham with other dog-fighting gangs around the country.

These aren't the kind of dogs that can be rehomed or taken out on a park to socialise with other dogs RSPCA Ch Insp John Wilkins

Speaking at a press conference at West Midlands Police headquarters in Birmingham on Wednesday, Ch Insp John Wilkins said: "The raids involved 32 RSPCA inspectors - that's 10% of the whole of the RSPCA inspector force.

"This is the largest single operation that the RSPCA has undertaken and is the largest number of dogs taken from a single area.

"I don't think we have broken the back of it but I think we have taken a lot of fighting dogs out of operation."

Inspectors from across the Midlands, London and Wales, were drafted in to help recover the animals, which were mainly American pit bull terrier-type dogs.

They were suffering injuries including a dislocated hip, a tumour, and a swollen rib cage from being kicked.

'Not pets'

Mr Wilkins said the dogs had been removed to locations around the country pending the outcome of any possible prosecution.

He added: "It's important not to think of these dogs as pets.

"These are tools used for dog-fighting. They are kept in kennels in yards. The dogs are very strong, very powerful.

"They are bred for the purpose of fighting, that is their sole purpose. These aren't the kind of dogs that can be rehomed or taken out on a park to socialise with other dogs."

Legislation means if any of the dogs were found to be of a dangerous breed they would be put down.

The maximum penalty for someone found guilty of dog-fighting offences under the Protection of Animals Act is six months in prison or a £5,000 fine.

The men arrested on Tuesday in Hodge Hill, Saltley, Alum Rock, Smethwick, Lozells and Aston were in their late teens to mid-20s and were bailed to appear at police stations between mid-May and late June.