TORFAEN has been ranked the worst area in Wales in terms of reports of organised dog fights, says the RSCPA.

All of the Gwent boroughs appeared in the top 10 worst area for Wales, according to new figures. Newport was fifth, Caerphilly seventh, Monmouthshire eighth, and Blaenau Gwent came in at 10th.

Torfaen also ranked second across the UK, behind only the West Midlands.

Over a decade long period, 54 fights were reported from 2006 to 2015 in Gwent.

Thirteen of the fights related to Torfaen, while 14 incidents were reported in Newport and 15 calls were received regarding Caerphilly.

But with the data calculated proportionally per 100,000 people, Torfaen’s population of 91,075 saw it produce a figure of 14.3 reported fights.

The number of reported fights in Newport was 9.6, per its population of 145,736. A total of 8.4 fights were reported in Caerphilly, which has a population of 178,806.

Seven calls over fights in Monmouthshire were reported, resulting in 7.7 per 100,000, while five incidents were confirmed in Blaenau Gwent - equalling 7.2 reported fights.

An RSPCA Cymru spokesman said: “The RSPCA has received calls across Gwent local authority areas in relation to organised dog fights.

“Proportionately, by population, Torfaen has been the part of Wales where such calls have been most prominent, between 2006 and 2015.

“We do not believe current sentences act as a strong enough deterrent to such awful crimes, like organised dog fighting.

“That’s why we support a further review of sentencing under the Animal Welfare Act, so stronger sentences could be handed down to those guilty of the worst offences against animals.”

Torfaen inspector David Morgan said: “We urge members of the public to come forward and report this type of crime.

“It’s a particularly cruel type of offence that all animal lovers would deplore.”

PC Paul Nicholls, a Gwent Police dog handler, added: “In my experience this type of crime often goes unreported and I urge anyone with information to let us know.

“We have previously worked with the RSPCA to carry out warrants, leading to successful prosecutions,.

“Please be reassured that any information we are given, will be acted upon.”