Three hundred, sixty-seven pit bulls. That’s how many dogs were rescued during execution of arrest warrants for twelve men involved in the second largest US dog fighting bust in history.
This week we’re hissing and purring for the people and animals involved in this story. Since we live in south Alabama, it hits close to home.
Hissy, go ahead and start your hisses.
Here are some super-potent hisses to the twelve men arrested for alleged involvement in dog-fighting: Donnie Anderson, 48, of Auburn, Demontt Allen, 37, of Houston, William Antone Edwards, 42, of Brantley, William Oneil Edwards, 39, of Elba, Michael Martin, 54, of Auburn, Lawrence Watford, 35, of Adel, Ricky Van Le, 24, of Biloxi, Miss., David Sellers, 52, of Opelika, Sandy Brown, 47, of Brownsville, Carlton Tippens, age unavailable, of Georgia, Irkis Forest, age unavailable, of Theodore.
Their dogs were found chained outdoors without adequate food or water. Some dogs had injuries from the fights. Some dogs were covered with fleas. Also found were the bodies of dogs that had been used in fights.
Hisses to the bar in Macon County, Alabama, where at least one dog fight was held in 2012.
And special hisses to the members of Congress who have stood in the way of H.R. 366/S. 666, the Animal Fighting Spectator Prohibition Act from passing. Had this law been on the books, there would be far more than 12 indicted now. With the amounts of money and weapons involved in this operation, I’m guessing there were plenty of spectators to this gruesome activity. Please contact your elected officials today and tell them it’s time to take action on this bill.
Oh, I am so hopping mad! June Buggie, help us with the purrs! Please!
Purrs to the law enforcement officers of Auburn, Alabama, that got this ball rolling. And purrs to all those who worked tirelessly for three years to build a case against these losers.
Purrs to US Attorney George Beck, who, when discussing the actions of those arrested, stated that, “I believe if Dante were alive today and rewriting the ‘Inferno’ that the lowest places in hell would be reserved for those who commit cruelty to our animals and to our children.”
Purrs to Coffee County Sheriff David Sutton, who said, “Those animals can’t speak like you and I. They bark and they whine. We chose to speak for them, and I believe we sent a message out. …. If you do the crime, we are going to come see you.”
And purrs to the people of the ASPCA and Humane Society of the US who helped in the rescue operations and are now caring for the dogs. Without these wonderful organizations, I shudder to think what might happen to these dogs.
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We also have some special purrs to offer today. After the announcement of the arrests, people from all over this area started asking for information about the dogs. Many people who have had a dog stolen were fearful that theirs would be one of those involved. That broke my heart. To each of those who are praying to be reunited with a beloved animal companion, may your heart be comforted.
Dogpaddling Through Life 
How cruelty, this people have no heart (and NO brain) – this dog-fighting deserved a mega-hiss. Sometimes I have no words .
The love of money and power makes humans turn a blind eye to the misery of others.
I never will understand how watching other living creatures tear each other apart is considered fun or a sport. Straight to the hot spot with them, I say!
I dont’ understand either Granny. *sigh*
That is a lot of dogs. So hard to believe that so many people can be so cruel. If you like to gamble, there are so many better ways to throw away your money.
Animals are used to feed humans’ needs to gamble in many ways. None of them are pretty.
Maybe we should start a new type of gambling. We can pick a local shelter and bet on who will get adopted first. We can even allow cheating.
Now THAT’S a great idea!
Few things make my stomach turn worse than the thought of dogs being pitted against each other for the purposes of entertainment and gambling. If there was any justice in this world, Mike Vic would still be in prison! He ran a concentration camp for dogs. Heinous!
You are so very right. Our humanity is at risk when we treat animals or allow such horrendous treatment. I hope with every account of horror that more people become enlightened and care enough to try and bring about this necessary change.
Ditto my above comment from my animal blog.
Absolutely sickening. Makes me want to use these people as a scratching pole. And $200,000 on a single dog fight?? Geez. What is this world coming to?
Who has enough money to bet that much?
Disgusting bottom dwellers…we have an issue locally with dogs being stolen for baiting and fighting,they mark with a spray can the front of the property and come back to get the dogs..it’s digusting as it happens so often and nothing much is done about it..you come near my property for my dogs you will not leave standing up…I am against violence but for my babies I will fight to the death..this world is going to hell in a hand basket I am sure..speechless..really
I agree with US Attorney George Beck when he says “the lowest places in hell [should] be reserved for those who commit cruelty to our animals and to our children.” I hope they all sit in jail for a very long time.
Sadly, it’s estimated they will be sentenced to 5 years. 😦
Those people who were involved the Dog Fighting surly won’t have any wonderful future in their life.They surly would have been punished!!! *grrrrrr*
Thanks for the healing stories, June Buggie, me, too I think that what the ASPCA and Humane Society of the US do is brilliant! 🙂
Wow. I’m floored especially since I’m reading the book about Michael Vick’s dogs right now.To hear about this still going on is incredibly disheartening. Purrs indeed to the people involved in the rescue, rehab, and care of these precious babies. I would like to send purrs to the families of those who have listed beloved furbabies the past few days. The online pet community is mourning the deaths of these beloved furbabies.
Indeed. xxx
I just can’t believe that this sort of thing is still happening. Obviously these people haven’t learned from the mistakes of others. It’s just heartbreaking.
But, I’m glad these dogs have been rescued and will have the chance to know kindness and love.
These people are supplying a demand, pure and simple.
I know, it’s just so sad. Hisses and Grrrrs to these bad people and so many Purrs and Licks to the people who have stepped in to help.
those people are lower than pond scum!xx Rachel
there is no words to describe some people… I really don’t get it… why would you go to dog fight… there are many other ways of entertainment… this topic makes me always angry and upset
Ohhhh hurray to George Beck, love!! Amazing when people high up are actually giving the right example. Doesn’t happen often enough -_-‘
as with all animal fighting…if there is on audience, then there is no money to be made. And animal spectator fighting is about power and a demonstration of humans’ inability to care for the life of animals…including the spectators
I had read the story and hiss along with you. What I did not war was the part of people wondering if their stolen dog was among those saved. How absolutely awful. My heart breaks for these owners. 😦
I am a big fighter against BSL world wide and dog fighting. I am active. I take part in protests against all this. I wrote songs that I sing at the protests. In about a weeks time, I got my next run. BSL is not the solution. Dog fights need to be stopped world wide, Places that didn´t adopt BSL are proving that it is not working. 20 years of BSL is anyway a proof in itself how it does not work. Through information, education, good dog parenting and taking the full responsibility when getting any dog is important. Responsibility for me means, from informing ourselves about dogs before getting one to the basics like, feeding, walks and dog school. Many don´t take this responsibility on, but still go out and get animals. Like this creating troubles for the entire strong breed community, (too the entire dog community). Naturally dog fighting is for me dangerous in every sense of the word. Not only the high cruelty to these animals is insane, but the people involved become numb to violence. We need to change this and fast.