Image: RSPCA

The RSPCA has received nearly 5,000 calls related to organized dog fighting in England and Wales over the last decade.

The charity said the highest number of calls had been received in Greater London.

900 London calls had been made since 2006.

The Society had achieved 137 convictions in the UK over the last decade for this kind of offence.

The maximum sentence for offenders is six months in prison and/or an unlimited fine.

Campaigners want the penalty raised to up to three years’ imprisonment.

France applies a sentence of up to two years, and Germany and the Czech Republic apply a sentence of up to three years.

Mike Butcher, chief inspector of the RSCPA’s special operations unit, said:

 

The idea of a six-month sentence is a joke. The idea that you only serve half of what you get is even more of a joke.

It’s no deterrent at all.

Deliveroo increasing staff by a third

The UK based food delivery company is the latest tech firm to expand in the capital as it aims to add more than 300 tech recruits when it opens a new London headquarters later this year.

The recruitment drive includes in areas such as software engineering and algorithm development.

Deliveroo reported a 650% rise in takeaway orders last year.

Thank you to all the heroes out there salting the roads, helping keep our riders safe. #Snowmageddon#saltbaepic.twitter.com/yHfT8jlGTF

— Deliveroo (@Deliveroo) January 13, 2017

The company’s  announcement comes a week after Snap, the company behind messaging app Snapchat, said it had established a UK office in London.

In November, Facebook said it would hire 500 additional employees in London.

Google committed to opening a new headquarters building in the English capital, which could see 3,000 new jobs created by 2020.

Southern Rail full service

Southern Rail has announced it is to return to a full train service from Tuesday.

A full train service will be restored from Tuesday 24 January https://t.co/u3jTkjUuKB

— Southern (@SouthernRailUK) January 18, 2017

Non-League Sutton continue Cinderella story

Sutton United, the famous non-league giant killers, have done it again in the FA Cup.

They beat ten man League One side AFC Wimbledon in their third round replay last night.

They will face giants of the north,  Championship side Leeds United, in a home tie in the next round.

The Dons made a perfect start when Leeds born Tom Elliott rose above the away defense to nod in Dean Parrett’s free-kick.

Elliott must have thought a tie against his boyhood club was inevitable but the drama of the cup struck again.

Wimbledon were reduced to ten men for more than 75 minutes as Paul Robinson was sent off for hauling down Matt Tubbs.

Roarie Deacon’s stunner levelled before late goals from Maxime Biamou and Dean Fitchett caused an upset.

The National League side will host Leeds at Gander Green Lane on Sunday, 29th  January at 2 p.m.

You can check out the highlights from the game below.

74 mins: 1-0 @AFCWimbledon
96 mins: 1-3 @suttonunited

The lowest-ranked team are into round four! #EmiratesFACuphttps://t.co/UnpHsbJvWH

— BT Sport Football (@btsportfootball) January 18, 2017