Dog trials (From Stourbridge News)

Dog trials

4:47pm Tuesday 22nd May 2007 in Local

A LYE man is to stand trial after he denied keeping dangerous dogs seized during a police raid.

Ibrar Banaras, of Hill Street, is accused of nine counts of keeping pit bull terrier type dogs at a building in Attwood Street, Lye, which was raided by cops and RSPCA officers in January.

Banaras, aged 22, pleaded not guilty to all charges during an appearance at Halesowen Magistrates Court on Tuesday May 22.

During the raid 15 dogs were seized by officers in protective clothing and five men were arrested under the Dangerous Dogs Act.

The court heard while the case continued police were keeping the dogs in boarding kennels, at a cost of £90 per day.

The bill for boarding the dogs already stood at £12,800 and magistrates told Banaras if he was convicted he would be liable for costs.

Banaras was bailed until his next court appearance on Tuesday July 3.

Dog fighting was banned in Britain 170 years ago although the RSPCA believes the cruel sport is on the increase across the UK.

Following the raid in Lye, RSPCA chief inspector for special operations, Ian Briggs, said: "Large numbers of pit bull types are being kept illegally for the wrong reasons - either as macho status symbols for sparring on the street or for the purpose of organised dog fighting.

"Either way, the dogs' welfare is unnecessarily put at risk by their owners."

In April, a Birmingham man was jailed for four months and banned from keeping dogs for ten years after he admitted possessing a dog fighting venue, causing dogs to fight, possessing 11 illegal dogs and causing unnecessary suffering to three dogs.