In the backyard of a Mitchell’s Plain home, five pit bull puppies suckle from their mother while the owner considers which one he will train to be a killer.

Meldricho, who spoke to us on condition we didn't use his real name or reveal his location, has trained several dogs for illegal dogfights.

“I never had parents growing up, and I actually grew up on the streets. That is where I met Rambo, who was my dog and stayed with me everywhere for three years,” says Meldricho, stroking the head of one of the pups.

But when Rambo was mauled to death by a “built to kill” dog unleashed on him by some older boys, Meldricho says it made him want to raise his own killer dog.

“That dog acted on command and was trained to do that. Rambo didn’t stand a chance because he was only a friendly dog. I wanted a strong dog myself," says Meldricho. "It’s a thing of power... I guess.”

Over the years, Meldricho has participated in several illegal dogfights across the Cape Flats at parks, backyards, abandoned houses and even a room in a house.

“There are plenty of people partaking, and there is also some money involved. Dogfighting doesn’t only happen in one area. Today you fight here, tomorrow somewhere else."

Asked how you train a dog to be a killer, he says, “You basically remove the love from them. They have to hate but follow your every command, and that comes through earning your respect.”

Once the dog is ready, a “bait dog”, also known as “meat”, is needed. The “bait dog” is usually a friendly dog that has been stolen.

“They need to show no mercy, and you want him to slaughter the dog, and that is why often you choose a friendly dog,” says Meldricho.

In June last year, Tarryn Collins, of Eastridge, reported her dog stolen. It was later found mutilated on a field.

“He had blood everywhere, and parts of his skull were even ripped open. It looked like a monster had gotten hold of him, and I can only imagine how horrific his last few minutes were,” Ms Collins says.

Cape of Good Hope SPCA spokesperson Belinda Abraham says dogfighting is a “thriving underground activity” in both urban and rural areas across the country.

“This cruel and illegal activity may be happening in your community,” she says, adding there is a strong link between stolen pets and illegal dogfights.

“A bait dog is usually a stolen pet that’s used to taunt or test a fighting dog’s mettle with consequences that are too horrific to consider. Power breeds like pit bulls, Rottweilers, bull terriers are at greatest risk of being stolen for actual fighting purposes."

Those found guilty of involvement in dogfighting can face a fine of R80 000 and/or imprisonment of up to 24 months with a criminal record.

Dogs “born, bought or stolen for fighting purposes” are often neglected and abused from the start, and it can be very hard to rehabilitate them, says Ms Abraham.

“Most spend their entire lives alone on chains or in cages, only knowing the attention of a human when they are being trained to fight, only knowing the company of other animals in the context of being trained to attack and kill them. While these dogs are generally not human-aggressive and may be able to live with people, their ability to coexist with other pets may remain limited. If a dog subjected to ongoing trauma has become fearful and distrustful of humans, overcoming that fear can be difficult, and a dog like this would not be able to be rehomed."

Dogfighting is illegal in South Africa in terms of the Animals Protection Act, but its progression to the level of organised crime makes it hard to infiltrate, Ms Abraham says.

The SPCA urges the public to be vigilant and to report incidences of suspected dogfighting without hesitation. Reports can be made anonymously.

There are several things to look for:

• Break sticks - These are flat bars of any material that taper to a point and are used to pry apart a dog’s mouth in order to break up a fight.

• Makeshift fighting “pits” or square enclosures that may have blood evidence on the floors and walls.

• Veterinary medication or injectable drugs, steroids or trauma medical supplies.

• Scarred dogs, especially pit bulls. Fighting scars can be found on the face, front legs, hind ends and thighs. Puncture wounds, swollen faces and mangled ears are also tell-tale signs of fighting.

• Dog-fighting literature or possession paraphernalia that supports this criminal activity.

• Dogs tied down with heavy chains.

• The presence of multiple unsterilised, animal-aggressive, unsocialised dogs.

• There is a reward of up to R5 000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of dogfighters.

• If you suspect that dogs have been involved in fighting, call 021 700 4158 during office hours or 083 3261 604 after hours.

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