There are some so-called "sporting" activities which rightly belong in the past in this country and should be outlawed across the world: those which involve pitting animals against each other in bloody fights to the finish.

Leaving aside such controversial pastimes as fox-hunting and hare coursing, which have their adherents in modern times and which - rightly or wrongly - are still carried out within the law in Britain, other bloodsports have long been banned here because they were considered too barbaric in a nation which is supposed to pride itself on its love of animals.

The bear-baiting of centuries past, in which dogs were set upon a tethered bear, remains part of history. However, other cruel contests between animals continue to be organised in secret, with large sums of gambling money at stake.

From time to time the police unearth evidence of badgers being dug out of their setts and forced to fight for their lives against terriers, or of battles between fighting dogs which can leave the loser dead and the victor with terrible injuries. And although cock-fighting was made illegal in 1835, it remains rife in this country, with more than 250 suspected "games" reported last year.

Here in Bradford, cock-fighting and quail-fighting rings are continuing to arrange tournaments despite the efforts of the RSPCA. In fact, the problem is so serious that the RSPCA is now offering up to £1,000 as a reward for information about the people behind the shameful rackets.

Hopefully, that will persuade someone who knows the identity of the culprits to contact the hotline number (08705 555999) and help to put a stop to activities which shame both Bradford and Britain.