Two individuals have been sentenced to prison for orchestrating brutal dog fighting events that a judge described as acts of extreme cruelty. Asif Ali, aged 33, residing on Ash Road in Alum Rock, and Sohail Hussain, aged 46, residing on Brades Rise in Oldbury, were linked to separate kennel brands that trained and organized dog fights in Birmingham, lasting for hours, according to Birmingham Crown Court.
Ali was affiliated with the ‘On Smoke Kennels’ (OSK) brand, utilizing a basement in Ash Ford to train and pit bull breeds against each other. He arranged contests and publicized events under the OSK brand, with one of his dogs, Roxy, meeting a tragic end after a fight.
Hussain operated under the ‘UK Gladiators’ brand, procuring dogs locally and internationally for fights. He managed a subscription website named ‘Team Gladiatorz’, which featured fight reports and promoted dogs for fights, as reported by Birmingham Live.
Both men confessed to charges related to training animals for fighting, organizing fights, and causing unnecessary suffering to animals. Additionally, Ali admitted to possessing equipment used in animal fights.
On sentencing day, Ali received a 17-month prison term, while Hussain was sentenced to 21 months. They were both prohibited from owning animals for life.
During the investigation, authorities discovered scales, a treadmill, and harnesses in the Ash Road basement, along with a space designated for fights, some of which were recorded. Ali kept four fighting dogs between October 2022 and September 2023, three of which sustained injuries.
Hussain supplied dogs for fights at Ash Road, arranged events, and discussed breeding and selling aggressive dogs, with plans to extend operations into Europe. Some of the rescued dogs exhibited extensive scarring and wounds on their head, legs, and chests.
Judge Paul Farrer KC, delivering the sentence, condemned their actions as he highlighted the severe cruelty involved in dog fighting. He emphasized the prolonged nature of the fights, the high mortality rate among the dogs, and the challenges of seeking medical help for injured animals due to the illegal nature of the activity.
He further stated that individuals engaged in dog fighting derive pleasure from the spectacle, aim to profit from gambling, and seek validation within their social circles, which applied to both defendants.
In their defense, the court was informed that Ali is a father supporting his mother, while Hussain, who had a prior conviction for attending a dogfight in 2006, is wheelchair-bound due to a spinal injury sustained over 15 years ago.