DOGFIGHTS being filmed by youths have been distressing residents who think it is the new happy-slapping.

A gang of more than half a dozen youths set the two Staffordshire bull terriers and one bull mastiff against each other, then filmed them fighting on bank holiday Monday, May 1, according to the residents of Aldriche Way in Highams Park.

Dog screams

They were disturbed by the sound of dogs screaming and youths shouting in a lorry bay by St Nicholas Court at around 2pm.

One said: "It was so distressing. I couldn't believe what I thought I was seeing. One of the young kids was saying 'get him off, get him off' and that's when I rang the police."

The gang of at least half a dozen teenagers, who were from the Hackney and Bethnal Green areas, were playing blaring music but it did not cover the sound of the dogs yelping.

The resident, who wanted to remain nameless, said that when the youths saw police arrive they pulled the dogs apart and put them in their car.

Another resident, who also did not want to be named, said: "I was taking my dog for a walk and I heard terrible dog screaming and barking."

She said she heard similar dog screams six weeks before.

"It's the new happy-slapping and it's very upsetting. We are getting a bit worried," she added.

'No evidence'

Police say that they found no evidence of dogs fighting or that the youths had done anything against either the Dangerous Dogs Act, Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act or any other relevant legislation.

A police spokesman added: "The officers did examine three dogs found with these youths. The dogs were under control and were in fact in their vehicles.

"All the dogs were in good health, well cared for and had no injuries, and there was no evidence of old injuries."

But the first resident, who was watching from her window, was amazed.

"I didn't see the police get out of the car. They must have spoken to them through the window. I was absolutely gobsmacked that nobody got arrested," she said.

The youths told the police they were filming a rap video for Channel 4 but a Channel 4 spokesman said the channel never commissioned music videos, which were all supplied by record labels.

A council spokesman also said that it was not approached for permission to film on the estate.

The police spokesman added: "It does appear that the residents genuinely believed they saw dogs fighting but when questioned by the officer, it transpired that no offences had been committed."