A father and son are facing prison after an RSPCA probe into dog fighting in Wiltshire, Oxfordshire and Dorset.
Ian Draper, 47, of Sylvester Close, Burford, and Danny Draper, 25, of Tapells Avenue, Witney, admitted several charges of causing unnecessary suffering to an animal.
Swindon Magistrates Court heard that bull terrier-type dogs were found at their Oxfordshire homes, chained up and being trained on treadmills.
The pair will be sentenced next month.
A video found by the RSPCA at Danny Draper’s former home in Swindon, which was shown to the court, showed two dogs tearing each other apart.
‘Vile and barbaric’
When RSPCA inspectors raided the home in April 2010 they also found dogs in an emaciated condition.
District Judge Simon Cooper told the men they both face prison sentences.
“You took part in this vile and barbaric sport of dog fighting, the full horror of which has been lain before me,” he said.
Katy Davies, 33, pleaded guilty to one offence of aiding and abetting her partner – Ian Draper – and was fined £600.
Danny Draper’s partner, Laura Hornsby, 24, also pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to an animal and was ordered to pay £300 in costs and disqualified from keeping a dog.
A fifth person, 44-year-old John Hamerston from Bournemouth, was sentenced earlier this year.
Mike Butcher from the RSPCA said after the case: “It’s been a long and difficult investigation. We’re very pleased at the way this case has gone.”
