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The doghouse

If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

Original poster

Bait dogs

96 replies

pawsies · 18/02/2021 19:59

I'm just wondering how people know their dog was used for bait?

Have they seen dog fighting premises and therefore know their dog was used for baiting?
How common is dog fighting in the UK and why would a dog bred for fighting need to practice on an innocent animal?
Are bait dogs really that common? Whenever I've asked someone for more details they tend to just show pictures and exclaim their dog was definitely a bait dog but why would dog fighters release bait animals into the general public? Surely they'd not want the backlash?

I'm just a bit confused as to how so many rescue dogs have baiting as a history.

Thanks :)

OP posts:
JayAlfredPrufrock · 18/02/2021 21:57

That’s what we’ve been saying. It’s not common to get bait dogs in rescue.

It happens. But it’s not common.

Veterinari · 18/02/2021 21:58

@Verashat

You think because amongst the cockerpoos you don’t get ‘bait’ dogs, they don’t exist *@Veterinari*?

Every other customer claims to have a rescue from gumtree? You are a fantasist I am afraid.
No decent vet would mock rescue and deny that dog fighting exists.

And yet you can't point out where I actually did either of those things...

Because, fantasy
But whatever suits your agenda 🤷‍♀️

I'll give you bonus points for picking a fairly niche subject to fantasise about though
It shows some creativity at least

Verashat · 18/02/2021 21:58

Every other customer. FGS

Absolute lies.

sorryaboutmyspermdonor · 18/02/2021 21:59

Not about to start arguing with everyone here, and have name changed for obvious, but my dad fights dogs. It's prevalent in South Wales valleys. There is a huge market and much money in it. (Even now in covid times) There are bait dogs used definitely, and a lot are stolen ( most here are actually bred for the purpose and it's cheaper to buy from a baiter than to risk theft now due to fb/ social media/ uptrend in cctv) but they usually die. I don't think they get to rescue sadly. I've seen many, many "ready- ing" pups/ dogs let lose on a bait dog and if they fail to put it down dad would finish it. I think that's standard in his circles. Especially a stolen dog. A second reason they don't escape if they live , is , ime, to have fighters you need high secure fencing/ shedding/ cellars.

Verashat · 18/02/2021 21:59

Anyone can be a vet on mumsnet Grin

Verashat · 18/02/2021 22:01

@sorryaboutmyspermdonor

Not about to start arguing with everyone here, and have name changed for obvious, but my dad fights dogs. It's prevalent in South Wales valleys. There is a huge market and much money in it. (Even now in covid times) There are bait dogs used definitely, and a lot are stolen ( most here are actually bred for the purpose and it's cheaper to buy from a baiter than to risk theft now due to fb/ social media/ uptrend in cctv) but they usually die. I don't think they get to rescue sadly. I've seen many, many "ready- ing" pups/ dogs let lose on a bait dog and if they fail to put it down dad would finish it. I think that's standard in his circles. Especially a stolen dog. A second reason they don't escape if they live , is , ime, to have fighters you need high secure fencing/ shedding/ cellars.
The police in my area are very proactive on raids at the moment, how do you cope with your Dad being involved with that?
MrsPernicious · 18/02/2021 22:02

Or local rescues are full of 'bully' breeds.

What breeds of bait dog are you getting @Verashat?

sorryaboutmyspermdonor · 18/02/2021 22:02

Just realised that I did not condemn my father and his cronies - they are awful abhorrent people, and his cruelties spanned across all and any species of live creature that wasn't himself. All he loves and cares for is money and I hope he gets his comeuppance one day. Foul beast of a man

Veterinari · 18/02/2021 22:03

@sorryaboutmyspermdonor

Not about to start arguing with everyone here, and have name changed for obvious, but my dad fights dogs. It's prevalent in South Wales valleys. There is a huge market and much money in it. (Even now in covid times) There are bait dogs used definitely, and a lot are stolen ( most here are actually bred for the purpose and it's cheaper to buy from a baiter than to risk theft now due to fb/ social media/ uptrend in cctv) but they usually die. I don't think they get to rescue sadly. I've seen many, many "ready- ing" pups/ dogs let lose on a bait dog and if they fail to put it down dad would finish it. I think that's standard in his circles. Especially a stolen dog. A second reason they don't escape if they live , is , ime, to have fighters you need high secure fencing/ shedding/ cellars.
Thanks for sharing that - I used to work in Liverpool - it was prevalent there too and now in my current city.

If you don't mind me asking how do you feel about the cruelty and the criminality? My dad's cousin was involved and I've thought about reporting him but I think dad knew I would and was always careful to make sure I never had his address - her was a distant cousin

Full disclosure - it sickens me

Verashat · 18/02/2021 22:03

@MrsPernicious

Or local rescues are full of 'bully' breeds.

What breeds of bait dog are you getting @Verashat?

Staffie a mostly and mixes of, from all over the country but our local police have had a big crackdown lately on local groups.
Veterinari · 18/02/2021 22:04

@sorryaboutmyspermdonor

Just realised that I did not condemn my father and his cronies - they are awful abhorrent people, and his cruelties spanned across all and any species of live creature that wasn't himself. All he loves and cares for is money and I hope he gets his comeuppance one day. Foul beast of a man
Ah! Cross post - that pretty much answers my question - thank you
Verashat · 18/02/2021 22:04

We picked one up on Christmas Day.

Scottishskifun · 18/02/2021 22:04

My neighbours ended up with a bait dog. Their dog had been stolen the police did a raid on dog fights and due to being chipped they recovered their dog. There was another dog with theirs so they rehomed it both were greyhounds.

Most common breeds seems to be sight hounds as they try to speed away. It's not common for them to survive, greyhounds are often used.

It makes me so angry and sad as I have my beautiful rehomed greyhound next to me. They are such loving gentle dogs who are often treated horrifically either by racers or other illegal activities.

It's completely barbaric, disgusting and

Veterinari · 18/02/2021 22:05

@Verashat

Anyone can be a vet on mumsnet Grin
Yeah they can.

Have to admit I'm pretty good at it though

Veterinari · 18/02/2021 22:06

@Scottishskifun

My neighbours ended up with a bait dog. Their dog had been stolen the police did a raid on dog fights and due to being chipped they recovered their dog. There was another dog with theirs so they rehomed it both were greyhounds.

Most common breeds seems to be sight hounds as they try to speed away. It's not common for them to survive, greyhounds are often used.

It makes me so angry and sad as I have my beautiful rehomed greyhound next to me. They are such loving gentle dogs who are often treated horrifically either by racers or other illegal activities.

It's completely barbaric, disgusting and

Maybe greyhounds in early training. Sometimes stolen pets are used too.

In serious fighting it's generally bull breeds and they fight in a more enclosed space

Veterinari · 18/02/2021 22:07

@sorryaboutmyspermdonor

Would you ever report him?

sorryaboutmyspermdonor · 18/02/2021 22:07

Veterinari- I have nothing to do with him and wish I was brave enough to report, but I still live in the area and he'd come after me. The fighting community is hostile and close knit so even if dad went down , I would be at risk. I haven't spoken to him in years and spend time wishing he'll get reported and afraid he will because even if it's not me reporting it'll come back on me

Verashat · 18/02/2021 22:09

@Veterinari I think anyone that claims that

Veterinari

‘No one is denying that they exist confused

It's just that they're actually not that common.

As a vet every other client tells me their new dog is a 'rescue' when I ask a bit more it transpires rescue is a euphemism for rehomed from gumtree.

People generally tell the story that they want to. It's not malicious. It's just that they want to feel good about rescuing a dog from a terrible situation’

Every other customer lies about rescuing is bullshit. The sneering, the refusal to listen to anyone else’s experience smacks of a fantasist.
What do you do other than mock people who rescue?

Don’t worry about answering, I am not going to fuel your ego fest any more.

You are a vet and every other client buys from gumtree and claims it’s a rescue, okay.

Veterinari · 18/02/2021 22:10

@sorryaboutmyspermdonor

Veterinari- I have nothing to do with him and wish I was brave enough to report, but I still live in the area and he'd come after me. The fighting community is hostile and close knit so even if dad went down , I would be at risk. I haven't spoken to him in years and spend time wishing he'll get reported and afraid he will because even if it's not me reporting it'll come back on me
Oh yes I can definitely image there are risks

If you'd consider it you can tip anonymously via:

If you have information about dogfighting contact Animal Crimewatchh_ and you could be eligible for a reward of up to £1,000 for information that directly results in the arrest and conviction of a dog fighter.

You don't need to give any identifying information. It may just be the last piece of the puzzle that they need

JayAlfredPrufrock · 18/02/2021 22:10

@sorryaboutmyspermdonor

That’s horrific.

MangoButterFingers · 18/02/2021 22:11

Fucking hell. There are some bat shitters out tonight.

Veterinari · 18/02/2021 22:12

Regardless thank you for sharing @sorryaboutmyspermdonor

It sounds like a shitty situation Thanks

Veterinari · 18/02/2021 22:12

@MangoButterFingers

Fucking hell. There are some bat shitters out tonight.
I wonder if it will improve when the schools go back Grin
Moondust001 · 18/02/2021 22:15

@Verashat

Anyone can be a vet on mumsnet Grin
You have personally attacked and accused of lying every single person who has disagreed with you. And then accused others of aggression when it is you who are being wildly aggressive and downright nasty. There is not one person with actual experience of this industry here that supports your hypothesis that there are shed loads of bait dogs in rescues. But I tell you what - it isn't even remotely outing. Name the shelters that have these dogs so that we can verify your facts. Because so far all your evidence, flying in the face of people with actual experience, is a few tabloid stories that came up first on a google search. And I know that is a verifiable fact because anyone can type "bait dogs" into google and check that your evidence is based on the top stories google finds.

Now if you want to continue to go out of your way to deliberately insult and offend people (and you could also learn to read too) then have at it. You have turned a serious thread about a tragic subject into being about you. I have better things to do with my time, although I will be happy to contact all the rescues you list tomorrow to verify your evidence.

ArcherDog · 18/02/2021 22:18

I also work in dog rescue and agree with everything @Veterinari had said.

You don’t get many bait dogs turn up in rescue, the ones you read about in the news are shared and memorable because they are so rare. You do get the odd ones that are rescued from police raids etc.

You also get a few dumped dogs with fighting scars, usually amateur dog fighters who just let two dog aggressive dogs have a pop at each other for a laugh.

They are mostly bull breeds.

When people say they have a ‘rescue’ dog they really mean they just rehomed it. (Still a nice thing to do)