Liaquat Ali was sentenced to six months and banned from keeping an animal for life in a landmark RSPCA case.

Blood believed to be from a fatal dogfight was splattered on walls in the den at Ali's home.

Chris Wyatt, prosecuting, said Ali's pitbull Enzo was found in a filthy, bolted, airless cupboard in the garden.  Its spine was visible.

There were two clips of fights on jobless Ali's mobile. In one, Ali, 40, is seen riling one dog to attack another.

He was convicted at Hyndburn Magistrates' Court, Lancs, of keeping premises for animal fighting and causing a fight to take place.

He claimed two unnamed men high in the "pyramid" of organised dogfights had asked to use his home.

Ali, of Accrington, earlier admitted possessing two dangerous dogs - American pitbulls Snoop and Spike, locking a dog in unsuitable accommodation and causing suffering.

RSPCA chief inspector Ian Briggs said: "We can only imagine how many dogs have suffered at the hands of Mr Ali and his friends."  Briggs said it was the first RSPCA prosecution under specific allegations in the Animal Welfare Act 2006.

Reference:

The Sun