Foxes are being made to fight to the death against packs of dogs behind Odsal Stadium in Bradford.

Gangs of fox-baiters use spades to dig the animals out of their sets before taking part in the cruel "sport".

Odsal Police's divisional wildlife officer PC Phil Walker said over the last twelve months six fox carcasses had been found on wasteland owned by Bradford Council next to the stadium.

He said the bodies showed the foxes' front legs had often been deliberately broken by the gangs to weaken them before the fights.

He said: "This is a horrifically cruel activity and anyone who commits cruelty against a wild animal can now be prosecuted under the Wild Mammals Act of 1996.

"In the latest incident not only had the fox being attacked by the dogs but some kind of accelerant had been sprayed onto it and set on fire while the animal was still alive."

Under the Act it is an offence for a person to commit a violent act on any wild mammal with intent to inflict suffering. But a loophole means it is not illegal to hunt with dogs.

PC Walker said he was working with the RSPCA to try and catch the culprits and has appealed for help.

He said: "These gangs are often dressed in combat gear and will be carrying spades or even weapons and will have terriers or lurchers which they use to find and fight the foxes.

"If anybody sees gangs like these acting suspiciously they should not approach them but contact me at Odsal Police station."

Bradford Council's principal recreation manager Dave Talbot said: "It's a despicable practice and we fully support police efforts to stamp it out." Both the park ranger service and stadium manager Eugene Egan were in close contact with the police.

An RSPCA spokesman said the fights caused terrible suffering to the fox and the dogs. Anyone with information is asked to call PC Walker on 01274 376623 or leave a message on 01274 376676.

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