Dog-fighting syndicates in South Africa are enlisting children to steal dogs. The dogs are then sold to neighbouring countries for as much as R50000 per animal.
Mariette Hopley, manager of the National Animal Welfare Task Team, said there were at least 12 syndicates exporting dogs.
Just two weeks ago, the task team stopped a shipment of 30 dogs bound for Namibia and Angola after receiving a tip-off from Interpol.
Hopley said South African dogs are popular because "buyers believe our dogs are genetically stronger".
The syndicates recruit children to act as "runners" and steal dogs in their communities, Hopley said.
The syndicate members buy the dogs from the youths for between R100 and R300, and then sell them abroad for between R45000 and R50000.
Boerboels, huskies, German Shepherds, rottweilers and pitbulls are the most sought-after breeds in dog fighting.
The dogs that do not fight or lose fights are often used as "bait dogs", which a more vicious dog will use for fighting practice.
Hopley said blood is put on a bait dog to encourage the fighting dogs to attack.
Huskies are often used as bait as their thick coats are difficult to tear through, making the fight "more spectacular", Hopley said.
Both Hopley and NSPCA Inspector Wendy Willson have called on the government to be more active in the fight against animal abuse.
Said Hopley: "The outcome of court cases needs to be much stricter."
People found guilty of animal abuse usually receive a fine or incarceration of up to a year.
The wife of a man previously convicted for organising dog fights in Plettenberg Bay has now been accused of the same crime in Gauteng.
Willson said Fanie Joubert's wife Rina was charged with animal cruelty after the NSPCA inspected their Vanderbijlpark property and found and confiscated 23 abused dogs. The dogs were flea-infested, had rotten teeth and dermatitis where the chains had eaten into their flesh.
The couple are both part of the Pitbull Union of South Africa.
Rina appeared at the Vanderbijlpark Magistrate's Court on Friday on charges relating to animal abuse and the case was postponed.
"There has been a significant increase [in dog fighting] in the past two years, especially in townships," Willson said.
On Friday, Rina Joubert denied any involvement in dog fighting.
"I don't know anything about dog fighting.
"There's no story," she said when The Times contacted her.
Chairman of the local Pitbull Union, Robert Nelson, said: "We have to let the court case take its [course] and see if she is found guilty. If she has been charged with dog fighting the union will suspend her [pending the outcome of the trial]."
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