Dog fighting, a brutal and secretive bloodsport, often operates in the shadows, with its perpetrators going to great lengths to conceal their identities. However, a fortunate IT mishap within a clandestine online dog fighting forum has inadvertently provided a crucial breakthrough for an undercover BBC investigation. This digital slip-up has helped unmask key figures involved in what is believed to be one of Europe’s most extensive dog fighting networks.
The investigation, led by BBC Spotlight, has uncovered brutal fighting kennels hidden in plain sight across the UK, from ordinary housing estates to the grounds of historic stately homes. The digital trail left by a simple mis-click provided investigators with a treasure trove of evidence, including graphic match reports detailing countless fights and the horrific injuries sustained by the animals involved. This intelligence was swiftly gathered by animal welfare charities, the League Against Cruel Sports (LACS) and the Ulster Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (USPCA), offering the first glimpse into a highly organized international dog fighting syndicate that the BBC has been exposing for the past six months.
Russ Middleton, Head of Intelligence at LACS and a former police officer, described the discovery as “golden,” providing invaluable insight into the global scale of dog fighting. The organization has seen a significant increase in reported incidents, with over 600 reports of dog fighting received since 2024, a more than 50% rise in the last two years alone. Despite these reports, the true extent of dog fighting in the UK remains largely unknown due to the inherent secrecy of the operations.
The BBC’s investigation identified several UK-based dog fighting operations, with one particularly disturbing kennel found within the grounds of Shane’s Castle Estate in Northern Ireland. This operation, known as Boneyard Kennels, was run by David Patterson, a mixed-martial arts coach from County Antrim. Investigators traced approximately 40 fighting pit bulls to his kennels, correlating training videos with the location. Patterson denies involvement in dog fighting, claiming he merely looks after dogs and is interested in animal fitness. However, evidence suggests his associate, Craig Kitson, also known as “Spongebob,” was actively involved as a referee and handler.
The investigation also extended to international connections, with an undercover BBC journalist meeting Zoltan Borbe, operating under the alias NFK Kennels, in Amsterdam. Borbe was secretly filmed boasting about his dogs’ “gameness,” a term indicating their willingness to fight, and was attempting to sell a two-year-old pit bull named Ruby. While Borbe later denied these claims, stating he fabricated the story to sell dogs, the footage provided a stark illustration of the global reach of this illicit activity.
The secrecy surrounding dog fighting makes rescue efforts challenging, often leading to the euthanasia of rescued animals, especially in the UK where pit bulls are a banned breed. Ruby, however, has been placed in a rehabilitation center in the Netherlands, where specialists are working to help her recover. Hella Van Den Beemt, the center’s lead therapist, emphasizes that while dogs like Ruby have a chance, careful observation and consideration of deeply embedded behaviors are crucial in determining their rehabilitation prospects.
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