CRUEL Liaquat Ali was locked up yesterday for keeping a secret pitbull fighting den and baiting the beasts to savage each other.It was the first case of its kind to be brought by the RSPCA under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 – and officials pledged to wipe out the horrific practice.
RSPCA chief inspector Ian Briggs, of the Special Operations Unit, said: “We can only imagine how many dogs have suffered at the hands of Mr Ali and his friends, and the kind of things they’ve had to endure at a premise kept by him for that very purpose.
“We’ve never brought a prosecution on these specific allegations before under the new legislation, but the evidence against Mr Ali was overwhelming.
Suffered
“This is a landmark case and we’re very pleased with the magistrate’s ruling.”
Ali, 40, was jailed for six months and banned from keeping an animal for the rest of his life.
He was caught by police and the RSPCA who identified him as the kingpin of pitbull fighting in Accrington, Lancs.
Prosecutor Chris Wyatt told the town’s JPs that three homes Ali used were raided and shocked officers found blood on the walls – believed to be from a fatal dog fight.
They also found Ali’s pitbull dog called Enzo, starved and locked in a white cupboard left out in the back garden.
Mr Wyatt said: “Inside this bolted-shut box was Enzo. There were no windows or holes for ventilation.
“The bedding was very wet and smelled of urine. The bowl inside was empty. It’s spine was visible and he was emaciated.”
On jobless Ali’s phone were two video clips of dog fights, one showing him baiting his animal to attack another pitbull in the street.
“We’ve never brought a prosecution on these specific allegations before under the new legislation, but the evidence against Mr Ali was overwhelming.
Suffered
“This is a landmark case and we’re very pleased with the magistrate’s ruling.”
Ali, 40, was jailed for six months and banned from keeping an animal for the rest of his life.
He was caught by police and the RSPCA who identified him as the kingpin of pitbull fighting in Accrington, Lancs.
Prosecutor Chris Wyatt told the town’s JPs that three homes Ali used were raided and shocked officers found blood on the walls – believed to be from a fatal dog fight.
They also found Ali’s pitbull dog called Enzo, starved and locked in a white cupboard left out in the back garden.
Mr Wyatt said: “Inside this bolted-shut box was Enzo. There were no windows or holes for ventilation.
“The bedding was very wet and smelled of urine. The bowl inside was empty. It’s spine was visible and he was emaciated.”
On jobless Ali’s phone were two video clips of dog fights, one showing him baiting his animal to attack another pitbull in the street.
‘ It was clear these two Asian men were very high up in the pyramid of organised dog fighting ’
Two further beasts, American pitbulls called Snoop and Spike, were taken off him in March this year – although he denied that Spike was his.
Mr Wyatt added: “It was pretty clear that Spike was a fighting dog.”
Peter King, defending, said his client still denies ever owning a pitbull fighting den – instead claiming he met two mystery Asian men who asked to borrow his premises to stage fights.
Mr King said: “It was clear these two Asian men were very high up in the pyramid of organised dog fighting.
“My client had no involvement in that unlawful fraternity before they got their hooks into him.
Ali denied keeping premises for the use of animal fighting and causing an animal fight to take place – but was convicted by JPs.
He earlier admitted possessing two dangerous dogs, Snoop and Spike, confining an animal in unsuitable accommodation and causing unnecessary suffering to Enzo.
The court heard Ali had previous criminal convictions for “unrelated matters”.
RSPCA chief inspector Briggs added: “The RSPCA and police will stop at nothing to bring those involved in dog fighting before the courts.
Ali denied keeping premises for the use of animal fighting and causing an animal fight to take place – but was convicted by JPs.
He earlier admitted possessing two dangerous dogs, Snoop and Spike, confining an animal in unsuitable accommodation and causing unnecessary suffering to Enzo.
The court heard Ali had previous criminal convictions for “unrelated matters”.
RSPCA chief inspector Briggs added: “The RSPCA and police will stop at nothing to bring those involved in dog fighting before the courts.
“We continue to appeal to the public to contact us with any specific information they may have, their help is crucial in stamping this out.”
PC Duncan Thomas, Wildlife Officer for Lancashire Constabulary, said: “Unfortunately, dog fighting is a so called “sport” which is still pursued in the North of England.
“We hope this conviction will send a clear message to those involved that they will be prosecuted.”
PC Duncan Thomas, Wildlife Officer for Lancashire Constabulary, said: “Unfortunately, dog fighting is a so called “sport” which is still pursued in the North of England.
“We hope this conviction will send a clear message to those involved that they will be prosecuted.”
Sicko Liaquat Ali was locked up for six months and banned from keeping an animal for life in a landmark RSPCA case.
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