Manama: Police are on the hunt for an abusive dog owner who advertised a pitbull for sale by using videos of it taking part in illegal fights.

The man, identified as a Bahraini by an animal rights activist who contacted him, was attempting to sell the dog for BD40 on social media.

He had attached gory videos to his posts showing the animal in action in an attempt to prove its fighting “pedigree”.

“This person was openly saying to everyone who called him that his dog had won many fights in Bahrain,” the activist, who did not want to be named, told the GDN.

“The dogs in the videos were covered in blood as they were cheered on by a baying crowd.”

A complaint has been filed at Isa Town Police Station with a CD containing the videos submitted as evidence, the activist said.

“Police officials have assured me that they will contact this Bahraini whose phone number was posted on these social media accounts and that they will try to track down the people in the videos,” said the activist.

“It is an open secret that illegal dog fights continue to take place across the country and many people attend to watch these bloody events.”

Bahrain Society for the Protection of Cruelty to Animals (BSPCA) chairman Mahmood Al Faraj told the GDN that he is following the pitbull case closely with the police to ensure that the culprit is caught.

“I have seen these video clips and thankfully I can tell you that one of the dog fighting arenas featured was shut down last year,” he said.

“Despite animal welfare laws, there are no rules in Bahrain about placing advertisements for pets, some of which are used as bait in fighting or stolen from their owners.

“Some are even tortured before being sold.”

Mr Al Faraj claimed that farms across Bahrain were being used to breed fighting dogs, where the only concern was turning the animals into blood-thirsty killing machines.

This latest incident follows the arrest of two Bahrainis in July, who were accused of lynching a pitbull from a metal bar at a beach in Busaiteen.

Pictures of the dead dog sparked outrage among animal lovers when they were circulated online.

The GDN has repeatedly reported on animal rights campaigners’ calls for authorities to establish a rescue centre dedicated to rehabilitating canines used in dog fights.

It has previously been claimed that at least 10 dogs a day are being burned alive in villages across Bahrain after they pick up serious injuries in illegal fights.

sandy@gdn.com.bh