Facebook has come under criticism for not doing enough on dog fighting, a practice which is illegal in numerous countries around the world.
The report, published by animal rights organisation Lady Freethinker, highlights how dog fighting content is easily found on the platform, and how the company has failed to enforce its own policies against the practice.
Between Oct. 2018 and Feb. 2019, the organisation found 2,000 posts which promoted dogfighting or trafficking animals used for fighting, more than 150 pages, groups and profiles actively involved in the practice, plus 160,563 members in the top five pages and groups.
SEE ALSO:Whistleblower says Facebook's algorithms generate extremist videosThe organisation's investigator reported 26 posts to Facebook for violating its policies, with all but six removed from the platform. These posts were found by using common keywords which are associated with dog fighting, with some of these terms coded.
"Facebook has become ground zero for discussing the merits of particular dogs and breeders, often on closed forums. Many of the pages and groups use coded terminology the average reader might not understand," the report explains.
"A dog could be described as a 'grand champion' with five wins (Gr Ch) or a 'champion' with three wins (Ch), or a promoter may reference the box the dogs fight in (4x4)."
In a statement to The Guardian, Lady Freethinker founder Nina Jackel said the "level of violence and exploitation of dogs is appalling."
"Facebook is often used as a platform for advocacy to effect positive change, but as our report shows, it is failing to protect innocent animals from abuse and possible death. By not enforcing its own policies against animal cruelty, Facebook is complicit in perpetuating criminal acts against dogs," she told the newspaper.
A Facebook spokesperson reiterated that content promoting or depicting staged animal fights is not allowed on the platform.
"We’re grateful to Lady Freethinker for bringing these posts to our attention and we have contacted them so we can get the information we need to investigate this content," the spokesperson said.
"If people see something on Facebook they think breaks our Community Standards, we encourage them to report it using the tools on our platform so our teams can investigate and take action."
TopicsFacebookSocial Media
(责任编辑：綜合)
Richard Branson 'thought he was going to die' in bike accident
The company that wanted to put 'a bullet through Google's head' is deadIrish pub has genius solution for people doing Dry JanuaryEllen DeGeneres cancels appearance of singer who made homophobic remarksThis chart shows just how high Simone Biles can jumpNew Zealand designer's photo series celebrates the elegance of aging
Not only is age nothin’ but a number -- it can be a asset when it comes to style. 。 That’
...[详细]Mr. No Fun Paul Ryan shuts down kid who tries to dab
If you're going to dab around Paul Ryan, you best not let him catch you.。C-SPAN digital and social m
...[详细]LAS VEGAS — It's no secret Intel is investing heavily in virtual reality. 。 Intel's CEO Brian K
...[详细]Alphabet's Waymo unveils its autonomous Chrysler minivan
Google's parent company Alphabet announced last week it had spun off Google's self-driving cars divi
...[详细]Sound the alarms: Simone Biles finally met Zac Efron
Is there anything Simone Biles can't do?The unstoppable gymnast just won her fifth medal of the Rio
...[详细]What you should expect from the iPhone in 2017
There are three constants in modern life: death, taxes and iPhone leaks. The rumor mill surrounding
...[详细]3 friends got the whole plane to themselves and we're massively jealous
Have you ever dreamed of finding yourself on a giant plane, all for yourself? That dream came true f
...[详细]North Pole hits melting point in time for Christmas, so Santa can just swim to you now
Today is an extremely unusual December day at the North Pole, with temperatures getting very close t
...[详细]This chart shows just how high Simone Biles can jump
American gymnast Simone Biles has dominated the Rio Olympics with five medals (four of them gold) bu
...[详细]Nate Silver sends out apocalyptic tweet just in time for the holidays
Has anyone checked in on Nate Silver lately? Is he doing OK?The FiveThirtyEighteditor and statistici
...[详细]Nancy Pelosi warns colleagues after info hacked
Cinnabon fails the galaxy with terrible tweet about Carrie Fisher's death
