ORGANISED DOG FIGHTING

That this House regrets, despite it being illegal for 200 years, that organised dog fighting is still a daily occurrence in the UK; abhors this horrendous abuse as among the worst that can be inflicted on an animal; believes that penalties should be increased to ensure that the punishment reflects the severity of the crime and that a national register of individuals with banning orders is necessary to prevent repeat offences; and commends the League Against Cruel Sports for its report on dog fighting in local communities, and its call for a national dog fighting strategy.