Brutal dog fighting ring closed down after League and police investigation

The League Against Cruel Sports has helped close down a brutal dog fighting ring operating across Europe.

The League’s intelligence team supplied information on dog fighting to Essex Police that contributed to the conviction yesterday (Wednesday, April 3) of three men and one women at Chelmsford Crown Court for a string of animal welfare offences that include dog fighting.

The League’s investigation centred on Billy Leadley, who is also known as GSK or Green Street Kennels - of Bambers Green, Takeley, Essex.

He entered a guilty plea to one offence - of causing unnecessary suffering to a dog by failing to provide veterinary treatment for an injury to the dog’s tail - part-way through the trial.

But the jury also found him guilty of a further nine offences under the Animal Welfare Act 2006; including keeping a premises for use in fighting, taking part in a fight by refereeing, and keeping and/or training a dog for use in a dog fight.

Similarly, the League’s intelligence on Billy’s wife, Amy Louise Leadley, also of Bambers Green, Takeley, Essex, led to her being found guilty of three offences, under the Animal Welfare Act 2006, including keeping a premises for use in fighting.

Emma Judd, head of campaigns at the League Against Cruel Sports, said: “It’s fair to say most people in this county would be horrified that such a cruel sport could be taking place in their localities, and we urge anyone who is even slightly suspicious of similar activities happening where they live to get in touch with us. We promise we will investigate and we will work with the authorities to bring people to justice.”

At the end of the trial, Amy Leadley entered a guilty plea to one offence of failing to meet the needs of seven dogs in their house, while Billy Leadley entered guilty pleas to two additional charges, one of failing to meet the needs of nine dogs being kept outside, and owning a prohibited type of dog.

Officers seized 16 dogs from the address in Bambers Green, including a large number of bull breed animals thought to have been used for fighting. Many had been kept in poor conditions in a garage, while two smaller dogs who were removed on welfare grounds from the house.

The RSPCA’s Special Operations Unit had launched its own an investigation and, in association with Essex Police, it became clear that the League’s work was focusing on the same gang.

Two other people involved in dog fighting were also convicted:

Phillip Harris Ali, known as Dr Death, of Manford way, Chigwell, Essex was found guilty of 10 offences under the Animal Welfare Act.

Stephen Albert Brown, of Burrow Road, Chigwell, Essex was found guilty of five.

Sentencing is due to take place on June 3 at Chelmsford Crown Court.

Dog fighting was banned nearly 200 years ago but the League’s intelligence team still receives reports through its Animal Crimewatch Service.

Emma added: “Dog fighting is a brutal and vicious blood sport which was outlawed nearly 200 years ago but is sadly still taking place.

“The League’s intelligence team played a vital role exposing this dog fighting ring, and it’s thanks to their tenacity that the criminals behind it have been punished.”

Ends

Notes to editors

For more information or interview requests please contact the League Against Cruel Sports Press Office on 01483 524250 or email pressoffice@league.org.uk

The League Against Cruel Sports is Britain's leading charity that works to stop animals being persecuted, abused and killed for sport. The League was instrumental in helping bring about the landmark Hunting Act 2004, the Animal Welfare (Sentencing) Act 2021, the strengthened fox hunting laws of the Hunting with Dogs (Scotland) Act 2023 and a ban on the use of snares created by the Agriculture (Wales) Act 2023.