Dogs 'may have been for fighting'

Pit bulls are banned under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991

Two dogs seized in raids in Belfast may have been used for illegal dog fighting, a warden has said.

The animals were seized following a BBC investigation into illegal dog fighting.

USPCA officers, police and Belfast City Council Dog Wardens carried out a number of coordinated raids in the south of the city.

Two dogs, described as dangerous by the USPCA, training equipment and manuals were seized in the Village area.

The raids followed information received after a recent Spotlight/Panorama programme.

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

Pit bulls have been banned in the UK since 1991 and dog fighting has been illegal since the 19th century.

Dog warden Yolanda Elwood said: "The dogs were in relatively good condition, although they do have some marks on them, which may indicate that they have been used for fighting in the past."

The dogs were brought to a council complex, but were later moved again to kennels outside the city.