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Nine held in dangerous dog raids Nine held in dangerous dog raids
(about 3 hours later)
Nine people have been arrested and four dogs have been seized in early morning raids as part of an investigation into dog fighting. Nine people have been arrested and four dogs have been seized in a series of raids in Lancashire as part of an investigation into dog fighting.
More than 40 police officers visited seven addresses in Accrington, Lancashire, at about 0730 BST on Thursday. More than 40 police officers visited seven addresses in Accrington.
The RSPCA said it also discovered a large industrial freezer at one of the properties, with blood inside. The RSPCA said it had discovered a large industrial freezer at one of the properties with blood inside.
The dogs are now being held at RSPCA kennels in the local area. The seized dogs are now being held at RSPCA kennels. Police have urged anyone who suspects that dogs may be being bred to fight to contact them.
The properties raided were on Willows Lane, Blackburn Road, Crossland Street, Richmond Road, Steiner Street and two addresses on Monk Street. The properties raided on Thursday just after 0730 BST were on Willows Lane, Blackburn Road, Crossland Street, Richmond Road, Steiner Street and two addresses on Monk Street.
Police urged anyone concerned that a dangerous dog is being housed in their community to contact them.Police urged anyone concerned that a dangerous dog is being housed in their community to contact them.
Dog fighting is an abhorrent, cruel activity RSPCADog fighting is an abhorrent, cruel activity RSPCA
Four kinds of dog - pit bull terriers, Japanese Tosas, the Dogo Argentinos, and the Fila Brasileiros - are banned under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991.Four kinds of dog - pit bull terriers, Japanese Tosas, the Dogo Argentinos, and the Fila Brasileiros - are banned under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991.
Cross-breeds of those dogs are covered by the law.Cross-breeds of those dogs are covered by the law.
Det Insp Pete Simm said: "The operation demonstrates the commitment of Lancashire Constabulary, working closely alongside the RSPCA, to take firm action against anyone believed to be housing Dangerous Dogs or breeding them to fight."Det Insp Pete Simm said: "The operation demonstrates the commitment of Lancashire Constabulary, working closely alongside the RSPCA, to take firm action against anyone believed to be housing Dangerous Dogs or breeding them to fight."
Ch Insp Mike Butcher, from the RSPCA Special Operations Unit, said: "Dog fighting is an abhorrent, cruel activity that was banned in this country more than 150 years ago, but still continues today.Ch Insp Mike Butcher, from the RSPCA Special Operations Unit, said: "Dog fighting is an abhorrent, cruel activity that was banned in this country more than 150 years ago, but still continues today.
"We are extremely pleased with the operation today and would like to thank the Lancashire Constabulary for their help and co-operation throughout.""We are extremely pleased with the operation today and would like to thank the Lancashire Constabulary for their help and co-operation throughout."