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Dog fighting Investigation Nearly Complete

The National Bureau of Investigation has interrogated all of the suspects in a case of illegal dog fighting in Finland uncovered by a BBC documentary team.

A BBC Panorama documentary broadcast in late August uncovered an illegal European wide dog fighting ring extending to Finland.

The documentary also screened on YLE showed a dog fight being staged at an undisclosed location in Finland, later identified as a kennel in Vihti. Police inspected 50 dogs, some of which carried scars indicating that they had been in fights. In addition, some of the dogs had been injured by being tethered with heavy chains.

According to the National Bureau of Investigation, this is the first time a case of dog fighting has been reported in Finland. The BBC told the police of its findings in April.

Dog fighting is illegal in Finland and is classed as animal cruelty. The dogs, mainly pit bull terriers, are trained specifically to fight.

The National Bureau of Investigation will be turning over case files to prosecutors later this month.

Sources: YLE