RICARDO BYFIELD AND LISA HARVEY FROM WALWORTH BUSTED FOR ILLEGAL DOG FIGHTS AND BREEDING

In a significant crackdown on illegal dog fighting operations, authorities uncovered a disturbing scene at a property in Walworth, London SE17 2PW, where Ricardo Byfield and his wife Lisa Elizabeth Harvey were found to be involved in the unlawful breeding and training of aggressive pit bull terriers. The couple, previously residing at Whitton Avenue West, Northolt, Ealing, had relocated to their current address by 2020, where they maintained a disturbing collection of fighting dogs.

According to police reports, the couple’s residence was not just a home but also served as a covert training ground for organized dog fights. Neighbors, alarmed by suspicious activity, tipped off law enforcement, leading to a raid in August 2006. During the operation, officers rescued a total of 26 dogs, most of which were pit bulls. The police also discovered three Dogues de Bordeaux, a Rottweiler, and a Staffordshire Bull Terrier, all kept in deplorable conditions.

The dogs were found confined within cages scattered throughout the small council property, which had been converted into a makeshift training facility. Many of these animals bore visible scars, evidence of brutal fights they had endured. Some of the dogs were even marked on official documents with titles such as “Champion” or “Grand Champion,” indicating they had participated in and won multiple fights, highlighting the extent of the illegal activity.

In addition to the adult dogs, puppies ranging from just two weeks to four months old were also rescued during the raid. Officers also recovered a rudimentary treadmill, believed to have been used to exercise the dogs and enhance their muscular build, particularly their shoulders, to make them more formidable fighters.

Ricardo Byfield, a known career criminal, admitted to 19 counts related to the possession and breeding of dangerous dogs. His wife, Lisa Harvey, pleaded guilty to one charge of the same nature. The court heard evidence that both individuals had been actively involved in dog fighting and breeding over a significant period, raising serious concerns about public safety.

Judge Jeffrey Bonn, presiding over the case, emphasized the danger posed by such activities. He stated, “We owe the public the right to be protected from the possibility of these animals escaping and causing harm, which we are in no doubt was a very real possibility.”

As part of the court’s ruling, an order was made to destroy 19 of the pit bulls, a decision that was unopposed by the owners and subsequently upheld. The sentencing also included a six-month jail term for both Byfield and Harvey. Additionally, Ricardo Byfield was ordered to pay a fine of £500, while Lisa Harvey was required to pay £250. Furthermore, both individuals received a lifetime ban on owning or keeping dogs, aimed at preventing any future involvement in such illegal activities.