10 people arrested in dog fighting raid

Nine severely injured dogs were rescued and 10 people were arrested.

Personnel from the NSPCA's Special Investigations Unit were assisted by members of the South African Police Service in the raid in Soweto.

"A group of people had converged in an area of secluded veld in Dobsonville and fighting was underway with dogs. Dog fighters fled, abandoning their dogs. They were pursued and apprehended by the police officers," the NSPCA said in a statement.

The NSPCA said it intervened immediately to separate the dogs that were still engaged in fighting and then to provide emergency care for dogs that had been severely injured in earlier fights.

"Dogs were found in a state of collapse, some suffering from broken legs, blood loss, shock and dehydration. The injured animals were removed from the scene and taken for veterinary assessment. Sadly some of these brutalised dogs did not survive. The remaining dogs are undergoing veterinary treatment and will remain under the control of the NSPCA for safekeeping," it said. 

Criminal charges have been laid in terms of the Animals Protection Act No.71 of 1962 against those arrested.

According to the NSPCA, there is a possibility that the dogs involved had been stolen. 

"An appeal is therefore made for anyone whose pit bull is missing - especially if stolen in the Soweto / Greater Johannesburg area - to contact the NSPCA's Special Investigations Unit with a photograph of the missing dog. Please email details to

[email protected] so that we may check against the dogs seized at the raid."