Horror of illegal dogfights

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http://www.gulf-daily-news.com/Story.asp?Article=135218 & Sn=BNEW & IssueID=28330

 

Horror of illegal dogfights

 

By GEOFFREY BEW

 

 

DOGS and cockerels are being brought to Bahrain from Southeast Asia to

take part in illegal fights, animal rights activists told the GDN.Rare

breeds of dogs are also being smuggled into Bahrain to be sold for huge

profits, said Bahrain Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals

(BSPCA) president Dr Khalil Rajab.

 

He said most dogfights and cockfights take place in Muharraq, Riffa or

Manama - speculating that profits from gambling may be used to fund drug

habits.

 

" It usually happens at night and in deserted areas by people with

compromised backgrounds, " said Dr Rajab.

 

" We do not know how regular it is, but it will be a regular thing and

money must be involved otherwise they would not be doing it.

 

" Some of the dogs they use will be imported and expensive. "

 

The GDN reported last September that dogfights were a weekly fixture

in Arad, Muharraq.

 

However, Muharraq Muni-cipal Councillor Majeed Karimi said at the time

that police were often unaware because they took place on private property

such as stables and farms.

 

Activists revealed that many of the dogs made to fight were stolen

family pets that were beaten before being thrown into the ring.

 

However, it is now understood that some people are importing them

through both legal and illegal channels - specifically to breed and fight.

 

Dr Rajab said smuggled animals are thought to be coming across the

King Fahad Causeway from Saudi Arabia or slipped past customs officers at

Bahrain International Airport.

 

" This has to be clarified. It is just hearsay, but it is what we are

hearing, " said Dr Rajab.

 

" Despite the fact that there are government restrictions on the

importing of wild animals we see them around - particularly birds, African

monkeys and wild dogs.

 

" We don't have any tangible evidence, but there are rumours that some

of them are being sent through airlines and from Saudi Arabia over the

causeway.

 

" When they come through the airport we think it is the crew, but it

could be the passengers. "

 

One of the reasons they are thought to come from Southeast Asia is a

perceived lack of regulations and enforcement at the airports in that part

of the world.

 

However, Dr Rajab added not all animals smuggled into Bahrain are

brought here to fight - saying they are also brought here to be sold as

pets.

 

" The problem we are also facing is the smuggling of wild animals into

Bahrain for trade, " he said.

 

" The animal shops in Bahrain are not subject to any form of control or

hygiene standards. "

 

The BSPCA is now calling for tougher legislation to help change

attitudes towards animal cruelty.

 

It also wants to see stricter regulations placed on the breeding of

animals in Bahrain.

 

" We are concerned about increasing numbers of people breeding pedigree

animals, " said BSPCA secretary Betty Rajab.

 

" We are seeing increasing numbers coming into the sanctuary - cats and

dogs.

 

" We never saw this before and we feel this is the result in many cases

of irresponsible breeding.

 

" The point is they do it for money and they are not breaking the law

so it is very difficult for the society to discourage the breeding of

animals if there is no legislation to support that. "