Bait dogs

[pawsies]

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 :)

@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

It won't be any consolation, but he'd be replaced in a second, and that is assuming that reporting him or even being caught stops him. It's big business, and where there is serious money to be made, there is always someone willing to make it. I wouldn't judge you for not saying anything - these people are extremely dangerous, and would think nothing of doing you serious harm if they even suspected you. Yes, if people can report it, then they should, but only if they can do so safely. Nobody should underestimate the terrible risk involved.

Also, scars don’t necessarily mean bait dogs/dog fighting.

For example, this girl was more likely used for ratting or badger baiting

Oooh sane people. Thank you.

@ArcherDog

Also, scars don’t necessarily mean bait dogs/dog fighting.

For example, this girl was more likely used for ratting or badger baiting

Yep there are plenty of ways that dogs can acquire scars/injuries.

Baiting is sadly still common but unless there's a police seizure these dogs generally don't enter rescue

And actually even with a police seizure a lot of the dogs seized are not suitable for rescue/are criminal evidence etc so don't end up rehomed

There are many more dogs used for illegal lamping (sighthound), badger baiting etc that would be seized and end up in rescue

I get a lot of "rescue" dogs in.
They are rescued from the local puppy farm for £££'s but people are too stupid to realise they are perpetuating the grim circle of life for the dogs at that farm.

I also kennel for a local dog rescue and they have never had a bait dog in and they take all sorts, not just the fluffy, easily rehomed type.

Has a link been posted to them all yet, as opposed to news items?

@NiceTwin

I get a lot of "rescue" dogs in. They are rescued from the local puppy farm for £££'s but people are too stupid to realise they are perpetuating the grim circle of life for the dogs at that farm.

I also kennel for a local dog rescue and they have never had a bait dog in and they take all sorts, not just the fluffy, easily rehomed type.

Has a link been posted to them all yet, as opposed to news items?

No @Verashat Flounced after failing in her attempt to derail the thread by calling me a fantasist - she 'didn't want to fuel my ego' by responding to my 'sneering' posts and left 🤷‍♀️

I wouldn't hold your breath for a rational return or the production of any evidence

I’m wondering if Verashat is a name change

@Veterinari

And actually even with a police seizure a lot of the dogs seized are not suitable for rescue/are criminal evidence etc so don't end up rehomed

There are many more dogs used for illegal lamping (sighthound), badger baiting etc that would be seized and end up in rescue

Agree.

I’m in rescue Cambridgeshire way so we get hundreds of coursing lurchers.

@Veterinari vershat seems to have issues

@RunningFromInsanity I live rurally and sadly the lampers are not a rare occurrence. 999 everytime I see them and to give the police their due, they usually turn up pretty sheepish.
Pity we can't ring local stations though because trying to describe which field they are in to the call handlers is nigh on impossible.

As PP have said, dogs in UK rescues are more likely to have been used for badger baiting than as bait dogs. Not because the use of bait dogs isn't prolific but because they are likely to be killed the first time they are "used", either by a dog or the people involved in dog fighting.

I have come across dogs that have probably been preped to be used as bait by having their teeth filed down.

to give the police their due, they usually turn up pretty sheepish

@NiceTwin - that has made my day. One of the best predictive text fails I have seen in ages!

@Moondust001

to give the police their due, they usually turn up pretty sheepish

@NiceTwin - that has made my day. One of the best predictive text fails I have seen in ages!

Oh, ha ha, only just noticed that

@NiceTwin try using "what three words" for field location.

@MrsPernicious that would mean me having to go out in my PJ's in the dead of night to get the location.
It would definitely frighten off the lampers mind

Veternari - your explanation about bull breeds above has explained why an ad I saw on Pets4homes gave me the chills. It said it was willing to re-home any bull breeds. Something about it made me think dog fighting but I wasn't sure why the focus on bull breeds. Genuinely makes me feel sick to think of what many humans put animals through

You can give a rough location from just knowing your own area, use the maps on your laptop @NiceTwin

example
gown.dusters.lobster
is a random bit of Cambridgeshire

In my area I could find a code for just inside the access point to a field.

The problem @MrsPernicious, I don't actually know which field they are in.

We live in the middle of fields, our bedroom has dual aspect, that's what wakes me, the light panning round into 1 of the windows.
I just tell the police if they are coming from or to the village, there is only one road, so they'll either get there in time, or they won't.

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.

That is an epic telling-off @Moondust001 If you're not a teacher, then you missed your calling.

All I can say if anyone knows of any dog fighting crime then report it to the police. You simply pick up a phone. It really gets my back up when people moan about something on Facebook as if Facebook will do anything. You phone 101 and your details are kept anonymous.

I met a man walking his dog when I was dog walking. We got talking and it turned out both our dogs were rescue dogs.
His dog was a retriever type dog who had scars on his head. Basically he had been seen tied up at a farm with gaping head wounds. Someone visiting the farm (postman, delivery driver) etc and seen him and reported it. So the dog was luckily rescued.