This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/west_midlands/7004574.stm

The article has changed 9 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 7 Version 8
Ten men convicted over dog fight Ten men convicted over dog fight
(10 minutes later)
Ten men have been convicted after police raided the biggest illegal dog fight uncovered in the UK since 1990.Ten men have been convicted after police raided the biggest illegal dog fight uncovered in the UK since 1990.
One of the pit bull terriers died a few hours after the fight and the other was so badly injured he had to be put down.One of the pit bull terriers died a few hours after the fight and the other was so badly injured he had to be put down.
A district judge found the 10 guilty of attending the fight. Five of them were fined, while five convicted of more serious charges have been remanded.A district judge found the 10 guilty of attending the fight. Five of them were fined, while five convicted of more serious charges have been remanded.
The trial at Birmingham Magistrates' Court had been shown a tape of the brutal contest. The trial at Birmingham Magistrates' Court had been shown a tape of the contest in Alum Rock, Birmingham.
The video showed the two dogs fighting in a pit constructed from kitchen units.The video showed the two dogs fighting in a pit constructed from kitchen units.
Spectators could be heard urging the animals on with cries of "shake him" and "come on boy".Spectators could be heard urging the animals on with cries of "shake him" and "come on boy".
For a super-fit pit bull to die so soon after the fight showed how terrible it must have been Ch Insp Ian Briggs, RSPCAFor a super-fit pit bull to die so soon after the fight showed how terrible it must have been Ch Insp Ian Briggs, RSPCA
District Judge Kal Qureshi issued fines ranging between £750 and £1,400 to the five men found guilty of attending the fight.District Judge Kal Qureshi issued fines ranging between £750 and £1,400 to the five men found guilty of attending the fight.
These are:These are:
  • Mamoon Ahmed, 24, of Phipson Road, Birmingham
  • Mamoon Ahmed, 24, of Phipson Road, Birmingham
  • Yasser Khalid, 25, of Rotton Park Road, Edgbaston, Birmingham
  • Yasser Khalid, 25, of Rotton Park Road, Edgbaston, Birmingham
  • Nabeel Safdar, 25, of Ash Road, Saltley, Birmingham
  • Nabeel Safdar, 25, of Ash Road, Saltley, Birmingham
  • Majid Mushtaq, 28, of Fletcher Road, Preston, Lancashire
  • Majid Mushtaq, 28, of Fletcher Road, Preston, Lancashire
  • Imran Arif, 29, of Sandway Gardens, Washwood Heath, Birmingham
  • Imran Arif, 29, of Sandway Gardens, Washwood Heath, Birmingham
    • The other five have been remanded on bail for sentencing in October, along with two more men who admitted several offences before the trial.The other five have been remanded on bail for sentencing in October, along with two more men who admitted several offences before the trial.
    Mr Qureshi has told the men that custody is an option.Mr Qureshi has told the men that custody is an option.
    The fight took place in rooms at the back of a kitchen unit shop in the Alum Rock area of Birmingham in February last year, the court heard.The fight took place in rooms at the back of a kitchen unit shop in the Alum Rock area of Birmingham in February last year, the court heard.
    A carpeted fighting pit, medical kits, a treadmill and portable kennels, were discovered in the premises.A carpeted fighting pit, medical kits, a treadmill and portable kennels, were discovered in the premises.
    The men organised this makeshift pit for the dogs to fight inThe men organised this makeshift pit for the dogs to fight in
    One of the dogs was so badly bitten, he was covered in blood with hardly any fur on his face.One of the dogs was so badly bitten, he was covered in blood with hardly any fur on his face.
    One dog, Bullet, was found crammed in a ceiling void when the premises were raided. He died a few hours later and the other, Elvis, was put down 48 hours later.One dog, Bullet, was found crammed in a ceiling void when the premises were raided. He died a few hours later and the other, Elvis, was put down 48 hours later.
    Finding the men guilty, Mr Qureshi ruled that all 10 who denied attending the fight had been there for at least 25 minutes.Finding the men guilty, Mr Qureshi ruled that all 10 who denied attending the fight had been there for at least 25 minutes.
    One man, Ummar Ahmed, 26, of Phipson Road, Birmingham, said he went to the showroom to attend a music party.One man, Ummar Ahmed, 26, of Phipson Road, Birmingham, said he went to the showroom to attend a music party.
    Another man, Barkat Hussain, 42, of Unett Street, Smethwick, West Midlands, claimed one of the pit bulls was not his despite him referring to "my dog" three times while giving evidence.Another man, Barkat Hussain, 42, of Unett Street, Smethwick, West Midlands, claimed one of the pit bulls was not his despite him referring to "my dog" three times while giving evidence.
    A further man claimed the fighting pit had been constructed as a dance floor.A further man claimed the fighting pit had been constructed as a dance floor.
    Earlier this month, 14 men were fined after pleading guilty to attending the fight.Earlier this month, 14 men were fined after pleading guilty to attending the fight.
    One of the dogs died at the fight, the other was put down laterThe RSPCA, which brought the prosecution, said it was one of the largest dog fights it had ever uncovered.One of the dogs died at the fight, the other was put down laterThe RSPCA, which brought the prosecution, said it was one of the largest dog fights it had ever uncovered.
    Ch Insp Ian Briggs of the RSPCA's special operations unit, said it was right that the judge took the case seriously.Ch Insp Ian Briggs of the RSPCA's special operations unit, said it was right that the judge took the case seriously.
    "Dog fighting is barbaric and this was one of the longest, most brutal and most highly-attended dog fights we've ever come across," he said."Dog fighting is barbaric and this was one of the longest, most brutal and most highly-attended dog fights we've ever come across," he said.
    He added that the dogs' injuries had been "horrendous".He added that the dogs' injuries had been "horrendous".
    "For a super-fit pit bull to die so soon after the fight showed how terrible it must have been.""For a super-fit pit bull to die so soon after the fight showed how terrible it must have been."
    He added it was the largest fight uncovered for 25 years and that dog fighting appeared to be growing in popularity.He added it was the largest fight uncovered for 25 years and that dog fighting appeared to be growing in popularity.
    "If we are entering a new area of dog fighting then we need to stamp it out fast," he said."If we are entering a new area of dog fighting then we need to stamp it out fast," he said.
    The convicted men who will be sentenced in October are:The convicted men who will be sentenced in October are:
  • Barkat Hussain, 42, of Unett Street, Smethwick, West Midlands, and Intikab Hussain, 31, of Sladefield Road, Ward End, Birmingham. They were found guilty of attending the fight, causing animals to fight, possessing a pit bull and causing unnecessary suffering.
  • Barkat Hussain, 42, of Unett Street, Smethwick, West Midlands, and Intikab Hussain, 31, of Sladefield Road, Ward End, Birmingham. They were found guilty of attending the fight, causing animals to fight, possessing a pit bull and causing unnecessary suffering.
  • Sohail Hussain, 25, of Parkfield Road, Saltley, Birmingham and Zahir Ahmed, 31, of Bevington Road, Aston, Birmingham, who were convicted of attending the fight and possessing a pit bull.
  • Sohail Hussain, 25, of Parkfield Road, Saltley, Birmingham and Zahir Ahmed, 31, of Bevington Road, Aston, Birmingham, who were convicted of attending the fight and possessing a pit bull.
  • Ummar Ahmed, 26, of Phipson Road, Birmingham, is guilty of attending the fight and keeping premises for dog fighting.
  • Ummar Ahmed, 26, of Phipson Road, Birmingham, is guilty of attending the fight and keeping premises for dog fighting.
    • The more serious charges include possessing a pit bull and causing unnecessary suffering to an animal.The more serious charges include possessing a pit bull and causing unnecessary suffering to an animal.