‘You can’t believe humans can do this’

An injured dog found after a raid on a dog-fighting syndicate in Tsakane on Sunday evening. Picture: Supplied

An injured dog found after a raid on a dog-fighting syndicate in Tsakane on Sunday evening. Picture: Supplied

Published Nov 5, 2013

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Johannesburg -

An anonymous tip-off and an undercover operation led to the biggest dog-fighting syndicate bust in 18 years.

Police, with the help of the National Council of SPCAs (NSPCA), raided premises in Tsakane, Ekurhuleni, while illegal dog fights were under way.

The operation, which took place on Sunday evening, netted 18 arrests and 14 dogs.

Este Kotze, deputy chief executive of the NSPCA, was on the scene on Sunday.

What she saw was some of the worst cruelty she had witnessed while working for the animal-care organisation, she said.

“Some of the dogs had severe bite marks to their faces and chests and were in extreme pain. It was really heartbreaking to see. You can’t believe the human race can do this.”

Kotze said several of the dogs had to be euthanised at the site as there was little hope of them making a recovery.

The surviving dogs, which were American pitbull-type breeds, were taken to a place of safety.

The operation was launched when the NSPCA received an anonymous tip-off two days before the raid.

“It became an undercover operation and we were extremely lucky,” said Kotze.

The last time the NSPCA had such a large bust was in 1995.

The NSPCA was assisted by SAPS members, who, Kotze said, had “special operations skills”.

Everyone found on the scene was involved in the illegal dog fighting and betting taking place.

The NSPCA believes the dogs rescued in the raid had been specifically bred for illegal fighting. None were stolen pets. They had been fighting for an extended period of time, said Kotze.

Those arrested face charges relating to the Animal Protection Act. Five of the 18 have received bail.

Their next court appearance will be on Monday in the Tsakane Magistrate’s Court.

Kotze said illegal dog fighting had become a huge problem, particularly in the Western Cape.

“We hope we have sent a message to them,” she said.

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The Star

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