FOOTAGE from a BBC documentary that alleges a North-East man's involvement in an illegal dog fighting ring will be scrutinised by police, The Northern Echo can reveal.

Cleveland Police will look at the Panorama film, aired on Thursday night, which alleges that a Teesside man is a member of one of Europe's largest dog fighting gangs.

An undercover reporter, who infiltrated The Farmers' Boys, based in Tandragee, County Armagh, Northern Ireland, said he was introduced to Gary Adamson, from Teesside, at a fight in Northern Ireland.

The reporter, known only as Steve, said Mr Adamson also attended a fight in Finland, where one dog was so badly injured it had to be killed by its owner afterwards.

The documentary showed footage of owners goading their dogs, including pit bull terriers, to tear one another apart in blood-soaked rings.

It also implicated Gaelic football player Gerard Cavlan's in the illegal practice as an owner and breeder.

Last night, sources said the All-Ireland Championship winner's career was in ruins after the revelations and that he would never play for Tyrone County again.

In light of the revelations about Mr Adamson, Cleveland Police said: "We are going to look at the programme to see if we think any crimes have been committed."

The RSPCA said that although it would investigate any alleged incidents of dogfighting in England and Wales, because the alleged offences took place in Ireland and Finland, it was unable to act.

Sophie Corless, of the animal welfare charity, said: "Where there is evidence of dog fighting in England and Wales, the RSPCA will investigate.

"However, the footage used in the Panorama documentary was filmed in Ireland, which means the RSPCA are unable to take any further action.

"It is a matter for the Irish authorities or animal welfare organisations to investigate as they see fit."

In the past seven years, the RSPCA has prosecuted about 150 people for dog fighting and related offences, and it is estimated that there are hundreds of people in the UK involved in organised dog fighting.

Dog fighting has been illegal in the UK since 1835, and pit bull terriers have been a banned breed since 1991.

Anyone with information about illegal dogfighting is asked to call the RSPCA on 0870-5555-999.