Animal welfare officers are appealing for help in tracking down bloodthirsty sportsmen in Bradford - and offering up to £1,000 reward.

RSPCA undercover investigators are searching for new leads and offering rewards for information in a fresh bid to combat cock fighting in the city.

And they are particularly keen to crack quail-fighting rings which are more common among the Asian community.

Chief Inspector Mike Butcher, of the region's RSPCA special operations unit, said tournaments were proving hard to pinpoint because of the secretive and hidden nature of the sport.

"They are definitely very well organised and aware that we are looking out for them," he said. "That's why we have to rely on informants.

"We had a series of raids in Bradford many years ago to try and get to the bottom of quail fighting, but all it did was prove how big the problem is.

"The public thinks this doesn't happen, but it's going on all the time. It's never gone away."

Cock-fighting was made illegal in 1835, but nationally more than 250 suspected games were reported last year.

Fighting cocks either battle 'naked heel' - with bare claws - or are fitted with metal spurs.

"They are big birds and do a lot of damage to each other," said Chief Inspector Butcher.

"The spurs and beaks are razor sharp and invariably lead to death in a couple of minutes. If they are 'naked heel', the fight can last up to 35 minutes and some don't even die. Sometimes, the bird just gives in."

Any information would be treated in the strictest confidence and informants would be protected, he added.

A popular pastime in some parts of India, quail fighting is more common in Bradford alongside other large Asian populations such as in the West Midlands.

Fights, often held in living rooms in city centre homes, attract thousands of pounds in gambling cash.

In 1972, more than 60 Asians were arrested in a raid on a house in Manningham where 12 quails where being held.

Last year, a man was ordered to do 200 hours of community service and pay £500 costs after being secretly filmed staging a fight between two quail in the cellar of his Bradford home.

RSPCA Superintendent Dave Millard said cases were difficult to prove unless people were caught in the act.

"The problem is long standing and it's only intermittently we can go in and manage to make arrests.

"It's horrific. Quail are small birds, but they are active and fast. They are often kept in isolation and apparently are fed alcohol-soaked grain to get them excited."

A police spokesman said they had no record of any recent reports, but would assist the RSPCA in any investigations.

Anyone with information is urged to contact the RSPCA hotline on 08705 555999 and ask to speak to Chief Inspector Butcher.

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