A CRUEL pet owner has been banned from keeping animals after a dog fighting training camp was uncovered at her home.

Julie Wright, from Slough, was disqualified from owning dogs for 10 years after being found guilty of offences relating to organised dog crime and dog fighting, at East Berkshire Magistrates’ Court on Monday.

An investigation by the RSPCA and police led to the discovery of the inhumane dog camp at the 42-year-old’s home in Hoylake Close, in 2014, after evidence linked her to others well-known in dog fighting circles.

She was found guilty of keeping items like treadmills, break sticks, a specially-adapted ball and spring and an A-frame – all tools known to be used in the training of dogs for fighting.

As well as keeping or training an animal in connection with an animal fight. 

One of her dogs was also found to have scarring and injuries consistent with animal fighting.

Wright admitted one offence which was possession of a dog to which Section 1 of the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 applies, namely two pit bull terrier type dogs known as Jack and Homer.

Evidence found that Wright had traded dogs with convicted dog-fighting enthusiasts across the UK.

Wright received an 16-week suspended prison sentence, £1,000 costs, and a disqualification of goods on all dog fighting training items.

Mike Butcher, RSPCA chief inspector for the special operations unit, said: “This is another sad case where the dogs end up being the unfortunate victims of the dark and cruel world of dog fighting.

“This barbaric ‘sport’ really has no place in a modern society and the RSPCA is working hard through investigations and more to put an end to this brutal enterprise where suffering is inflicted on animals who are there to do their owners' cruel bidding.

“We hope this prosecution goes some way to showing others out there involved in this bloody ‘sport’ that organised cruelty and abuse of this nature is not only against the law but it will never be tolerated.”

Wright has lodged an appeal against her convictions since the hearing on Monday.