Go TEXAS!!!! I love the headline.
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/tx/6113088.html
Police deal 'death blow' to large dog fight ring
By JUAN A. LOZANO Associated Press Writer © 2008 The Associated Press
Nov. 14, 2008, 4:37PM
HOUSTON — Authorities broke up Friday what they called one of the largest dogfighting rings in the country, arresting eight people — including a school teacher — filing charges against four dozen more and seizing at least 168 dogs.
"A lot of people in Texas still believe that dog fighting is entertainment," Department of Public Safety spokeswoman Lisa Block said. "We are here to tell you it is not entertainment. It is a crime."
The ring spanned five counties — Matagorda, Tyler, Jasper, Montgomery and Harris — and involved dog fights with as many as 100 spectators at a time who bet on the contests, officials said.
DPS officials and prosecutors would not describe the ring in detail because they said they were still looking for about 43 suspects. All, including the eight arrested Friday, were charged with engaging in dog fighting, a felony. Drug and gambling-related charges are pending, said Harris County Assistant District Attorney Belinda Smith.
Among those arrested Friday was Jay Andrews, 37, a teacher in the Aldine Independent School District in Houston.
Andrews has taught English at an alternative school for four years and was arrested at the school early Friday, said district spokeswoman Leticia Fehling. He will be reassigned to duties outside the classroom until the criminal investigation is over, she said.
A Harris County Jail spokesman said Andrews had not been processed yet so no lawyer's name was listed.
The eight people arrested Friday — after a 17-month investigation — were ringleaders, involved in some of the more "egregious" fights or were also involved in drug activity, Smith said.
Smith said most of the dogs were pit bull terriers or mutts that were part pit bulls. They were bred specifically for dog fighting by several owners. Many of the 168 dogs seized in three counties on Friday were injured.
Block said veterinarians were examining the dogs and that a judge would decide their fate.
Authorities said they have not completely shut down the operation because they're still searching for other suspects, but Smith called Friday's arrests a "death blow" to the ring.
Block said authorities called it one of the nation's largest dogfighting rings based on the number of people involved, the number of spectators and the value of the bets placed.
The seven other men arrested Friday were being held in the Harris County Jail.
------------
Associated Press Writer Monica Rhor contributed to this report.
Friday, November 14, 2008
Sunday, November 2, 2008
Dogfighters trying to post on this blog
Humorously, a known dogfighter tried posting on this blog. Nice try Emily Dennis. I traced your IP number right back to you. Instead of attacking people that are trying to save the animals you abuse, you should be getting ready for your criminal trial.
Saturday, November 1, 2008
HSUS saves pit bulls, but dogfighters are to blame for pit bull bans
This year OK, OH, MN, FL and a few other states all had bills introduced to ban pit bulls and other breeds. While some pit bull registries like the ADBA, which have questionable ties to dogfighters, claim they are the ones in the forefront of defeating breed specific legislation, it was HSUS that had staff on the ground to defeat all of those bills. No other organization had staff actively lobbying against pit bull bans in all of those states. ADBA certainly wasn't there fighting the good fight.
HSUS also has filed an amicus brief in Denver challenging that cities pit bull ban.
HSUS speaks out against pit bull bans and BSL in the media, and educates lawmakers as to why those things are a bad idea.
And yet, some people that claim to care about pit bulls deliberately lie and claim HSUS is out to eradicate the breed. Could it be the people making those claims are dogfighters that desperately want to discredit people that genuinely care about animals? Hmmmm???
One could make the argument that groups like ADBA, AADR, and others like them actually fuel pit bull bans by giving a wink and a nudge to dogfighters rather than actively condemning those criminals.
When a city council member reads a Richard Stratton book about pit bulls, he can't be blamed for thinking dogfighting is what this breed is for. Since dogfighting is illegal, it doesn't take long for that same city council member to conclude the pit bull has lost his usefulness in modern society.
Plus, dogfighters activities paint the pit bull breed as a vicious monster, even though the dogs are the victims of the crime, not the perpetrators of the crime.
The best thing that could happen for the pit bull breed is for the fad to end. No more dogfighters, no more crappy backyard breeds, and just responsible owners that provide love and care for their dogs. That would save this breed from being banned nationwide. So let's do it. Let's put the dogfighters out of business and save the pit bull!
HSUS also has filed an amicus brief in Denver challenging that cities pit bull ban.
HSUS speaks out against pit bull bans and BSL in the media, and educates lawmakers as to why those things are a bad idea.
And yet, some people that claim to care about pit bulls deliberately lie and claim HSUS is out to eradicate the breed. Could it be the people making those claims are dogfighters that desperately want to discredit people that genuinely care about animals? Hmmmm???
One could make the argument that groups like ADBA, AADR, and others like them actually fuel pit bull bans by giving a wink and a nudge to dogfighters rather than actively condemning those criminals.
When a city council member reads a Richard Stratton book about pit bulls, he can't be blamed for thinking dogfighting is what this breed is for. Since dogfighting is illegal, it doesn't take long for that same city council member to conclude the pit bull has lost his usefulness in modern society.
Plus, dogfighters activities paint the pit bull breed as a vicious monster, even though the dogs are the victims of the crime, not the perpetrators of the crime.
The best thing that could happen for the pit bull breed is for the fad to end. No more dogfighters, no more crappy backyard breeds, and just responsible owners that provide love and care for their dogs. That would save this breed from being banned nationwide. So let's do it. Let's put the dogfighters out of business and save the pit bull!
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Any doubt HSUS is serious about eradicating dogfighting? If so, read this!
HSUS is working with Norred & Associates to stomp out dogfighting. Check out this article about Norred.
http://southernstudies.org/facingsouth/labels/private%20security.asp
Friday dogblogging: Private security firm helps bust alleged dogfighter in Georgia
There's been considerable attention paid to the role played by private security firms in the U.S. wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. As it turns out, one such firm is also helping with the stateside war against dogfighting.Earlier this month, the Appalachian Circuit District Attorney's office raided Mountain Swamp Kennels in rural Blue Ridge, Ga., near the border with North Carolina. Owner Albert Glenn White was arrested and charged with more than 20 counts of felony dogfighting. Authorities say they found three fighting pits on the property and dogfighting paraphernalia and seized 22 dogs, some of whom reportedly have scars consistent with fighting.Information regarding White's kennels was originally provided to the Humane Society of the United States via its dogfighting tip line, 877-TIP-HSUS. The tip line was set up in the wake of the dogfighting case involving former Atlanta Falcon's football player Michael Vick by private security firm Norred & Associates, which is headquartered in Atlanta with offices in Miami; Memphis, Tenn.; Hilton Head, S.C.; and Birmingham, Ala.Founded in 1981, Norred & Associates provides security for corporations including Georgia Pacific, The Home Depot and TXU Energy. The company also dispatched special operations agents to Louisiana in the wake of Hurricane Katrina to protect its clients' properties against looting, and it provides security for retired Lt. Col. Oliver North's book tours.Said Dr. Melinda Merck, a forensic veterinarian with the American Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals who took part in the raid:
"We are sending a clear message to dogfighters that we will continue to use any and all resources we have to uncover their illegal operations and bring justice for these animals."The Mountain Swamp Kennel raid was the second such bust in Georgia since May, when Gov. Sonny Purdue signed legislation strengthening the state's anti-dogfighting law. It's now a felony there to own, possess, transport, or sell a dog for the purpose of fighting, and those involved in illegal dogfighting face one to five years in prison, a minimum fine of $5,000, or both.
http://southernstudies.org/facingsouth/labels/private%20security.asp
Friday dogblogging: Private security firm helps bust alleged dogfighter in Georgia
There's been considerable attention paid to the role played by private security firms in the U.S. wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. As it turns out, one such firm is also helping with the stateside war against dogfighting.Earlier this month, the Appalachian Circuit District Attorney's office raided Mountain Swamp Kennels in rural Blue Ridge, Ga., near the border with North Carolina. Owner Albert Glenn White was arrested and charged with more than 20 counts of felony dogfighting. Authorities say they found three fighting pits on the property and dogfighting paraphernalia and seized 22 dogs, some of whom reportedly have scars consistent with fighting.Information regarding White's kennels was originally provided to the Humane Society of the United States via its dogfighting tip line, 877-TIP-HSUS. The tip line was set up in the wake of the dogfighting case involving former Atlanta Falcon's football player Michael Vick by private security firm Norred & Associates, which is headquartered in Atlanta with offices in Miami; Memphis, Tenn.; Hilton Head, S.C.; and Birmingham, Ala.Founded in 1981, Norred & Associates provides security for corporations including Georgia Pacific, The Home Depot and TXU Energy. The company also dispatched special operations agents to Louisiana in the wake of Hurricane Katrina to protect its clients' properties against looting, and it provides security for retired Lt. Col. Oliver North's book tours.Said Dr. Melinda Merck, a forensic veterinarian with the American Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals who took part in the raid:
"We are sending a clear message to dogfighters that we will continue to use any and all resources we have to uncover their illegal operations and bring justice for these animals."The Mountain Swamp Kennel raid was the second such bust in Georgia since May, when Gov. Sonny Purdue signed legislation strengthening the state's anti-dogfighting law. It's now a felony there to own, possess, transport, or sell a dog for the purpose of fighting, and those involved in illegal dogfighting face one to five years in prison, a minimum fine of $5,000, or both.
$5,000 for information leading to the arrest of dogfighters
It's all here at www.humanesociety.org/rewards
I hope this leads to a lot of dogfighters getting arrested. HSUS is putting their money where their mouth is.
I hope this leads to a lot of dogfighters getting arrested. HSUS is putting their money where their mouth is.
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
HSUS and Norred & Associates knock off 3 dogfighters in Georgia
Wow! These guys keep on hitting the dogfighters in Georgia. This is awesome! And what's even more cool that Norred & Associates is involved. They are a kick butt security firm, kind of like a domestic Blackwater.
Here is the article from the Atlanta Journal Constitution.
http://www.ajc.com/metro/content/metro/cherokee/stories/2008/10/28/dogfighting_north_georgia.html
Canton, Ellijay men charged with dogfighting
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Two North Georgia men were arrested and charged with dogfighting Tuesday, continuing an aggressive statewide crackdown that investigators say is only just beginning.
In Canton, Cherokee County deputies detained Randall Thaxton, 44, after a morning raid turned up “a significant pit bull breeding operation.” Roughly 30 miles north, Gilmer County officials arrested Ray Beavers, of Ellijay, for his reported involvement in the same dogfighting ring.
Two other Gilmer men may also face charges, said John Goodwin, manager of animal fighting issues with the Humane Society of the United States.
“We believe they’ve been involved for years,” he said.
The three raids Tuesday turned up 30 pit bulls, all of whom had scars consistent with dogfighting, said Greg Norred, who does the bulk of the investigative work on dogfighting — gratis — for the Humane Society.
Law enforcement officials have conducted eight raids on dogfighting operations since May. That’s when Georgia enacted a new law that made it a felony to own, possess, train, transport or sell any canine for the intention of dogfighting.
Previously the state had one of the nation’s weakest laws against dogfighting, making it difficult to prosecute or even charge reputed offenders.
“Dog fighters in Georgia are on high alert now,” Goodwin said.
Information leading to the latest arrests was provided to the Humane Society through its tip line, established in the wake of the Michael Vick dogfighting case. Tipsters receive $5,000 upon conviction. The phone number is 877 TIP-HSUS.
Here is the article from the Atlanta Journal Constitution.
http://www.ajc.com/metro/content/metro/cherokee/stories/2008/10/28/dogfighting_north_georgia.html
Canton, Ellijay men charged with dogfighting
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Two North Georgia men were arrested and charged with dogfighting Tuesday, continuing an aggressive statewide crackdown that investigators say is only just beginning.
In Canton, Cherokee County deputies detained Randall Thaxton, 44, after a morning raid turned up “a significant pit bull breeding operation.” Roughly 30 miles north, Gilmer County officials arrested Ray Beavers, of Ellijay, for his reported involvement in the same dogfighting ring.
Two other Gilmer men may also face charges, said John Goodwin, manager of animal fighting issues with the Humane Society of the United States.
“We believe they’ve been involved for years,” he said.
The three raids Tuesday turned up 30 pit bulls, all of whom had scars consistent with dogfighting, said Greg Norred, who does the bulk of the investigative work on dogfighting — gratis — for the Humane Society.
Law enforcement officials have conducted eight raids on dogfighting operations since May. That’s when Georgia enacted a new law that made it a felony to own, possess, train, transport or sell any canine for the intention of dogfighting.
Previously the state had one of the nation’s weakest laws against dogfighting, making it difficult to prosecute or even charge reputed offenders.
“Dog fighters in Georgia are on high alert now,” Goodwin said.
Information leading to the latest arrests was provided to the Humane Society through its tip line, established in the wake of the Michael Vick dogfighting case. Tipsters receive $5,000 upon conviction. The phone number is 877 TIP-HSUS.
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