I heard of this a couple of weeks ago but it has upset me so much, I only just feel able to mention it. Someone in or near Guildford sold or gave away their Golden Retriever. Two weeks later they were contacted by police and asked if they owned a Golden. The body of their dog had been found with muzzle bound and body mutilated. (S)he had been used as bait for fighting dogs. Why such scum who do this sort of thing are allowed to live is beyond me. How can anyone do that. No dog deserves that but a Golden is so trusting, so loving and so defenceless as they have not been bred to be aggressive. It is just not in their nature even to defend themselves. If only the same sort of pain and fear could be inflicted on the perpetrators and those who give away their dogs are no better. It makes me feel sick.

Oh no :( :( :(

Evil, sick, cowardly little scumbags .....there just aren't printable words to describe the sick individuals that do this sort of thing...........................

Poor, poor dog. :( :( :( :( :(

I've heard this one but I think (and hope) it is an urban myth that started harmelssly enough as to warning of what  'might' happen to dogs that are carelessly given away as free to good home without adequate checks. I have been unable to find anything on line to confirm it is a real story aside from mentions on forums

I do hope you are right Weimed...that really brought tears to my eye's just looking at my Goldens.

Sadly not an urban myth. It has been reported in the media and has also been reported on the board.

I read this story in this week's Dog World. Sad and sickening!

Just thinking about it makes me want to weep...

ah sick :(
there really are some vile people about.
@free To good Home has a lot to answer for too though. makes it far too easy for these evil people to get their hands on animals. there should be warnings on all advertising sites about 'free'

Sadly it's one of the vile practises employed by dog fighters to train up their puppies, they con or steal a soft breed, tape up their muzzle and let the pups get a taste for attacking other dogs without getting hurt themselves, there by increasing their confidence.

It certainly upset me when I read the report.  What a wicked, wicked act of cruelty, knowing full well the Goldie would be unable to defend itself - such a trusting breed to be forced to die like this is unforgivable.  What unstable people we have in this world that they have to resort to this behaviour with a defenceless dog to have 'fun'. 

can anyone find a link to this story in a real news media- ie rspca press release/bbc/ newspaper? 
I've had another look and I cannot find anything except warnings on forums.  Its a horrible story but I cannot find any real evidence it happened . I understand it was printed in a dog paper but something as dreadful as this would have made other headlines else where surely?

makes me go cold!!!! Hoping and praying it isnt true....but sadly with the sicko's out there i know it very well could be.

I look at my lot all sleeping cozy and it brings tears to my eyes to think of any dog going through such fear, torture, and agonising death.......absolute evil :(