Troublemakers 肇事者who don't want to risk arrest by carrying guns or knives are instead turning to dogs to settle their scores 算账, according to the RSPCA 英国防止虐待动物协会。

The number of calls it gets about dog fights has gone up 15 times in the past three years, and the incidents are often linked to gangs 团伙；帮派 of youngsters.

A survey 调查 out today suggests that dog attacks on humans have gone up by nearly 50% in the past ten years, and the problem is particularly bad in urban areas.

The RSPCA's chief vet 首席兽医 Mark Evans says it is a serious social issue in Britain.

Police in London have also reported a large rise in the number of dangerous dogs seized in the past two years.

The RSPCA says some owners have their own veterinary kits 动物急救药箱, to stitch up 缝合 injured animals without bringing them to the attention of the authorities当局.

The charity 慈善组织 says all dogs need to be microchipped 微型芯片身份注册 and more dangerous ones should be neutered阉割.

However, it is keen to stress 急切地强调 that the problem is not with the animals themselves, but the owners.