CONVICTED (2011) | dogfighters Colin Barclay Reid, born 12 October1986, of Smith Road, Banff AB45 1BN and brother David Lewis Reid, born 6 October 1988, of High Shore, Macduff AB44 1SN
In September 2011 Colin and David Reid pleaded guilty to encouraging bull terrier-type dogs to attack each other at a disused open-air swimming pool in Tarlair between July 29, 2008 and January 20, 2011, and also to keeping dogs for fighting.
Undercover investigators raided the homes of the pair and found footage of dogfighting on a laptop. The brothers were believed to have operated among a wider ring of dogfighters.
And it is believed they had been involved in the depraved activity for years.
The case marked the first conviction for animal fighting since new legislation allowed SSPCA inspectors to search and enter homes of suspected dog fight organisers.
The brothers are close associates of a man whose dog was found in a ditch by the SSPCA during the investigation.
The dog had been shot through the skull and investigators are convinced other dogs who had become too old to earn their keep through fighting would also have been killed.
Other fighting dogs were found dead within 20 miles of Banff, showing signs of appalling cruelty and suggesting the problem was widespread.
The dogs are believed to have been killed and dumped to avoid the SSPCA bringing charges against their owners.
In 2006, David Reid was convicted of cutting off part of both ears of two bull terriers with scissors. He pleaded guilty and was banned for two years from keeping animals and fined £300.
An undercover investigator said: “The implication of mutilating this animal was that it was a fighting dog.
“Owners do this to ready dogs for fights, to make them look fierce and to stop other dogs locking jaws on their ears while fighting.
“At the time, we couldn’t prove that he was involved in dogfighting but then the case was blown wide open when we saw the video.
“It shows both Reid brothers throwing their own dogs into a fight in the middle of the night at a secluded place not far from their home.”
The investigator added: “We also found videos of dog fights from eastern Europe.”
The probe uncovered evidence from farmers, who believed their cattle may have been attacked by dogfighters training their animals.
The crucial evidence was gathered when the SSPCA investigation team and police raided four homes, seizing six pit bulls.
Intelligence was received the following month that a dog had been shot and dumped on a farm.
Officers were shocked to see a clear bullet hole through the back of its skull.
The dog’s carcass still held an identifying microchip, which proved it belonged to an associate of the Reid brothers.
David Reid was also sentenced to jail for going on the rampage after he was reported to the SSPCA. He hunted down a man he suspected of “grassing” him and attacked him along with an accomplice, breaking his skull and pelvis.
The Scottish SPCA said the case sent a message to anyone taking part in the “abhorrent activity.”
It followed an undercover operation by the animal charity.
Chief Superintendent Mike Flynn said: “Our investigation revealed both David and Colin Reid were heavily involved in dog fighting, a sickening crime which causes dogs horrendous injuries and can often be fatal.
“It is testament to our inspectors involved that these extremely cruel and barbaric men are serving jail sentences.
“This was the first conviction for animal fighting under the Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act of 2006, which empowers Scottish SPCA inspectors to search and enter homes under warrants to retrieve evidence.”
He added: “During raids on the Reid brothers we discovered video evidence which not only proved their guilt but also clearly demonstrated their fascination in watching the poor dogs involved viciously fight each other.
“We also removed six dogs, including three pitbull terrier-type dogs which are illegal having been classified as dangerous, veterinary equipment and various paraphernalia associated with dog fighting.”
Sentencing:
David Reid was jailed for six months and Colin Reid was sentenced to four months. They were banned from keeping dogs for just five years (expired September 2016).
Additional Information
Accomplices Charged
Two other men were initially prosecuted for dog fighting alongside the Reid brothers, namely William Stuart from Macduff and Stuart Grant from Banff.
The outcome of their cases was never reported. Full details:
Alleged Accomplice 1: William Allan Stuart, born 16 January 1975, of Doune Crescent, Macduff AB44 1PN
Alleged Accomplice 2: Stuart Alexander Grant, born 7 February 1980, previously of Seafield Crescent, Banff and more recently Birch Grove, Mintlaw, Peterhead AB42 5GN
