DOG FIGHTING

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXII, 2 March 1939, Page 5

DOG FIGHTING

A NEW “SPORT” f s SECRET CONTESTS IN CELLARS (By Air Mail—Special Correspondent - ! i- LONDON, 4th February, e The latest “sport” to be developed t in Britain is dog-lighting. According to j a report to be published soon lights be--1 tween dogs backed to tear each other to pieces are being regularly staged by j groups of “sportsmen” in Britain. For 15 months a National Defence a League investigator, in secret, has been 1 watching the development of the “sport” ami tile people who regularly attend to see it. The contests take place mostly in cellars guarded by scouts before ciowds which ’ sometimes include women. 7 The publication of the report of the ■ investigator Mr K. H. Johns, will signal t a drive to stamp the “sport” out. bo secret have the “setts”—as the con- ■ tests are called—been kept, that the polJ ice so far have been powerless to act. Cer- - tin 11 toi-na in the Midland s provide the 1 biggest following for tlie “sport” but ; lights have been staged within 20 miles of t London. » Mr Johns’ dossier contains the names of the foremost promoters of the “sport” besides the names of dozens of breeders and | backers. I Most of them are of the fairly well-to-dv sporting fraternity who stake large sun's in wagers 011 the results of a “Some of those who support this socalled sport are well known and respected personalities in their own localities,” Mr Johns said this week. A dog has no value in the eyes of breeders unless it has killed its opponent even though it may have to be destroyed itself later because of its own injuries, h-s added. The dogs used are mostly specially bred Staffordshire bull-terriers. They are kept hungry when due to light.