Websites join anti-dogfights drive

[caption id="attachment_39278" align="alignright" width="300"] JAWS OF DEATH: Angie , a pit bull stolen from her owner, is baited to make her aggressive ahead of a dogfight in Vosloorus, east of Joburg in August 2005. Picture: Iqbal Tladi. © SUNDAY TIMES.[/caption]

THREE online classified websites are joining forces with animal rights organisations to curb online pet trading in an attempt to stamp out illegal dog fighting.

Gumtree South Africa, OLX and Junk Mail Publishing have announced they are forming alliances with anti-cruelty activist groups such as Ban Animal Trading, Community Led Animal Welfare (Claw), and Beauty Without Cruelty.

All want to stamp out puppy farms and the sale of specific dogs.

Operation "Bite Back" will see the three online competitors for the first time sit down to thrash out a way forward to stop puppy mills, more commonly known as puppy farms, and dogs being sold online for fighting.

Port Elizabeth's Animal Anti-Cruelty spokeswoman Linda-Louise Swain said it was a massive step forward.

"The buying of fighting dogs online is a huge problem and we have been trying to get the various online sites to take action for a long time. It is so great to hear that this is now being done," she said.

"In Nelson Mandela Bay it is a problem and this will definitely curb the sale of animals for fighting. Bear in mind that it's not only fighting dogs that are sold, but also smaller breeds of dog like Jack Russells which are used as bait dogs." - Gareth Wilson