Kent is the second worst place in the south of England for dog fighting, RSPCA figures have revealed.

Statistics dating back to 2019 show the charity has dealt with 32 incidents of illegal fights involving canines in the county.

Last year, there were 16 reports of fighting – the worst the RSPCA has dealt with in the area.

Greater London is the worst offending area, with 91 incidents in the past five years, while the Isle of Wight has only had one report.

It comes after the charity launched is Cancel Out Our Cruelty campaign on Monday.

Dog fighting expert and special operations unit (SOU) chief inspector Ian Muttitt said: “Our figures show that in the past four years the RSPCA has uncovered and dealt with 224 incidents of dog fighting just in the south of England, let alone in the rest of England and Wales.

“It’s staggering that something which has been illegal for almost 200 years, which most people would consider consigned to history, is still so rife.”

The RSPCA’s campaign aims to raise funds to help its frontline rescue teams continue to save animals from cruelty and abuse and to raise awareness about how to stop cruelty to animals for good.

Ian added: “Each year, these reports of cruelty reach its terrible annual peak in the summer months.

“Around this time of year nationally we receive a report of an animal being beaten on average every hour of every day.

“We don’t know why reports of animal cruelty peak in the summer months although things like animal abuse being more visible as people are outdoors more and the cost of living crisis could be major factors.

“Dog fighting, which is connected to organised crime, is just one of the many acts of cruelty we see every year. The RSPCA is the only charity rescuing animals and investigating cruelty in England and Wales with a team of frontline rescue officers, specialist vet teams and a network of animal care centres and branches working tirelessly to save animals and provide rehabilitation to animal victims.

“Together, we believe we can and will cancel out cruelty to animals by replacing violence with kindness.”

Dog fighting was outlawed in England in 1835 but still goes on today.

An RSPCA spokesman added: “Sadly, many of the dogs used by dog fighters are never found and those who are rescued are often found to be banned breeds under the Dangerous Dogs Act and cannot legally be rehomed."

In total the RSPCA’s SOU have investigated 1,156 incidents of dog fighting across England and Wales since 2019.

The north of England has been revealed as the worst region for dog fighting between 2019-2023, followed by the south, the Midlands, the east and then the west of England following closely behind.

Ian continued: “The dog fighting world is a dark and secretive place. It could be happening in an inner-city warehouse next door to your office or on a rural farm in your quiet village.

“Signs of dog fighting can vary but if you notice a dog with lots of scars on its face, front legs, hind legs and thighs, or with puncture wounds and mangled ears - this could be a sign of dog fighting and should be reported to the RSPCA or the police. Other suspicious activity includes dogs being hidden away in outbuildings or kennels of sight and not excercised in public.

“Dogs who win fights are prized and are often treated like Kings. But those who refuse to fight or lose are often abandoned or barbarically killed.”