Bear baiters defy ban in Pakistan
Animal rights campaigners say bear-baiting is still taking place in Pakistan two years after it was made illegal.
The brutal sport pits tethered bears against specially trained fighting dogs. Many of the bears have their teeth and claws removed.
Baiting was introduced to the region 200 years ago by the British and uses Asiatic black bears, even though there are thought to be less than 300 still in the wild.
The World Society for the Protection of Animals estimates that around 50 contests take place every year.
Ejaz Raja, from the Pakistan High Commission, in London, assured the BBC that bear baiting will soon end.
He said: "These events happen in rural areas, and it takes a little time for the measures to filter down.
"Bear-baiting is illegal in Pakistan, and I agree it's barbaric. I am sure we shall see the first bears rescued from the baiters entering the WSPA sanctuary later this year."
