Two illegal dog fighting rings are active in Aberdeen, according to information received by animal welfare experts.
The Press and Journal revealed on Tuesday that the activity is more rife in the north-east than in any other area. It is said to take place in Fraserburgh, Peterhead and Macduff, as well as Dundee and Aberdeen.
Drug-dealing is believed to be a crucial link, with dealers apparently seeing it as a mark of prestige to own top fighting dogs and watch them pitted against each other.
Following an appeal by the Scottish SPCA in the Press and Journal, the charity, which had already heard reports of one active ring in Aberdeen, received confidential calls alerting them to another group.
One is said to be more organised and operate at a higher level than the other, but the areas in which they operate cannot be revealed in case it prejudices the animal welfare group’s case against those involved.
It is empowered to charge and report people for animal cruelty to the procurator fiscal, bypassing the police.
It received seven calls about Aberdeen on Tuesday, providing details of where fights take place and the names of some of the dogs involved.
Callers also confirmed the names of two north-east men already known to the Scottish SPCA who appeared in a photograph alongside Tuesday’s article.
A Scottish SPCA officer, who cannot reveal his name for safety reasons, thanked the public for the information, but said more is needed.
“The names of the dogs are helpful and a good start, but we also need more names of the people involved,” he said.
“Large four-figure rewards are waiting for people who provide information leading to a person being charged.”
Telltale signs are injuries to the face and ears of dogs, which are usually pit bulls or Staffordshire bull terriers.
Other canine muscular areas such as shoulders and legs can also suffer serious injuries, as the dogs have powerful jaws which lock down when fighting.
Anyone with information can call the society’s dog-fighting hotline in confidence on 0870 240 4832.