Marshals on a federal indictment accusing him of dog fighting, according to Smith. Georgia Law on Dogfighting. According to Meriwether Sheriff Chuck Smith, officers from several agencies, bolstered by helicopters from the Coweta County Sheriff’s Office and the state Department of Natural Resources, took part in the raid, which went down off Happy Hollow Drive around 10:30 p.m. Saturday. The U.S. Attorney's office Thursday announced that over 160 dogs were rescued in a dog-fighting ring, including some from Central Georgia counties . Officials arrested 12 people, seized $500,000 in cash, and rescued 367 dogs involved in the organized dog fighting ring. “Animal fighting is an investigative priority for USDA-OIG, and together with the Department of Justice, we will work with our law enforcement partners to investigate and assist in the criminal prosecution of those who participate in animal fighting ventures.”, “These search warrants are part of a multi-month, multi-agency investigation into allegations of illegal dogfighting and drug trafficking,” said Robert J. Murphy, the Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Atlanta Field Division. MACON, Ga. - A massive bust on an alleged dogfighting ring in middle Georgia on Wednesday, the U.S. Attorneyâs Office announced Thursday. 'It's just sickening': 168 dogs rescued in Central Georgia dog-fighting bust. After a 3-year multi-state investigation, investigators seized 367 dogs from 13 homes, including three in south Georgia. Contact ⦠34 arrested in west Georgia dog-fighting raid Local News | Jan 21, 2014 Authorities in west Georgia arrested 34 people and seized 27 vehicles, several guns and over $28,000 in cash in ⦠They were rescued from a ⦠Police bust suspected dog fighting ring in south Fulton County. MACON, Ga. - A massive bust on an alleged dogfighting ring in middle Georgia on Wednesday, the U.S. Attorney’s Office announced Thursday. “Our narcotics unit has worked on gathering intelligence on the event and at a moment’s notice they rallied up and met at the training center where a briefing was conducted,” Smith said in an e-mail. No arrests have been made yet for violations of the federal Animal Welfare Act and drug trafficking. A person may be guilty of dogfighting when they: Own, possess, train, transport, or sell any dog with the intent that such dog shall be engaged in fighting with another dog; “When the helicopter pilots hit their target with spotlights, participants and spectators ran into the arms of waiting officers holding a perimeter around the event,” Smith said. The story of the largest dog fighting bust in US history lead by the Humane Society of Missouri in July 2009. One of the vehicles confiscated was a large “Express Wings” catering truck that was set up to serve fried chicken and fish to spectators. By Alexis Stevens, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution Federal investigators have busted a suspected dogfighting ring and rescued 168 animals, the U.S. Attorneyâs Office in Middle Georgia ⦠Dog fighting ring spanned at least three southern states. He said deputies found a large “fighting pit” and an emaciated, bleeding female pit bull terrier. Marshals Service and are being taken care of by an emergency veterinarian. That dog was taken into protective custody, along with another dog seized, the sheriff said. Deputies also seized five guns, two generators and lighting equipment. Federal Officials Seize 168 Dogs In Massive Dogfighting Bust. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. (U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Georgia), “I am incredibly grateful to the law enforcement teams who came together from all over the region to rescue these abused animals as we continue to investigate this alleged dogfighting ring,” said U.S. Attorney Charlie Peeler. Those who choose to violate the Animal Welfare Act face serious consequences, including federal prison time, where there is no parole.”, (U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Georgia / Supplied), “The provisions of the Animal Welfare Act were designed to protect animals from being used in illegal fighting ventures, which often entail other forms of criminal activity involving drugs, firearms, and gambling,” said Special Agent in Charge Jason Williams of the U.S. Department of Agriculture-Office of Inspector General (USDA-OIG). He said those arrested, some of them local and some from as far away as Arkansas and Michigan, face various charges, including gambling, cruelty to animals, possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime, theft-by-receiving stolen property and conspiracy to commit or promote dog fighting. The animals were seized on March 17, 2018 when Georgia State Patrol troopers and Georgia DNR wardens conducted traffic stops after receiving reports of a dog fight. Sign up for our newsletters About. DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. - They were fighting a dog ring, according to DeKalb County Police, but now 17 dogs are safe thanks to officers. Eleven federal search warrants were executed Wednesday in middle Georgia as part of a months-long multi-agency investigation into allegations of ⦠MACON, Ga. â United States marshals worked with other law enforcement to rescue more than 160 dogs from an alleged dog fighting ring with ties to Central Georgia. The United States Attorney's office in the Middle District of Georgia says all seized dogs are always scanned for microchips. DOJ: 11 indicted for drug conspiracy, dog fighting ring in middle Georgia Haley Garrett 1/28/2021 Biden vows to 'never politicize' the military, honors Black troops in first Pentagon visit Dogfighting can manifest in five different ways according to O.C.G.A. “Illegal dogfighting is a barbaric activity. According ⦠Four Telfair County men are out of jail on $4,000 bonds after being arrested in a dog fighting raid. Author: Kayla Solomon Published: 11:28 PM EST February 27, 2020 Updated: 11:28 PM EST February 27, 2020 FORT VALLEY, Ga. â ⦠It's part of the second largest dog fighting bust in U.S. history. About 156 dogs rescued from a suspected dogfighting ring. ©2021 FOX Television Stations, Prince Charles visits his father, 99-year-old Prince Philip, in hospital, Prince Harry, Meghan won't return as working royals, Buckingham Palace confirms, DeKalb County to close COVID-19 rental relief applications due to high demand, Unstable crane causes evacuations, street shut down in Midtown Atlanta, Teen helps rescue man trapped in a truck after a crash, Women, 34 and 44, dressed up as seniors to get COVID-19 vaccine, officials say, MIS-C: Cases of rare inflammatory syndrome linked to COVID-19 on the rise among children in US, 5 puppies die after being left outside animal shelter in below-freezing temperatures. GREENVILLE, Ga. (AP) - Sheriff's officials in western Georgia say 34 people have been arrested for their suspected involvement in a dogfighting operation. The U.S. Attorney's office Thursday announced that over 160 dogs were rescued in a dog-fighting ring, including some from Central Georgia counties One of those arrested was wanted by U.S. §16-12-37. The orchestrated bust occurred while an actual dogfight was in progress, according to WESH Orlando. Charlie Peeler, U.S. attorney for the Middle District of Georgia, said in a statement that the warrants were ârelated to suspected violations of ⦠The U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Georgia said many of the dogs are malnourished, some require surgery. Mitchell Brown, Kenny Kinsey, James McCormick, and Caleb McCray are charged with dog fighting. Nearly 800 roosters seized, 178 people questioned in Georgia cockfighting bust The raid resulted in 178 people in attendance processed for possible federal and state charges. The dogs are in the custody of the U.S. According to a news release, the warrants were part of a multi-month investigation into dog fighting and drug trafficking that involved several law enforcement agencies. Our History; FAQ; Careers ; Contact. 168 dogs rescued in Central Georgia dogfighting bust The U.S. Attorney's office Thursday announced that over 160 dogs were rescued in a dog-fighting ring, including some from Central Georgia ⦠MACON, Ga. -- Seven people were indicted this week on charges connected to a dog-fighting ring that was busted in Dodge County in 2018. Police arrived on the scene around 9:30 p.m. ⦠Aug. 27, 2013 â -- A three-year investigation and multi-state dog fighting bust resulted in the rescue of 367 pit bull terriers in Alabama and Georgia, according to officials. 367 Pit Bulls Rescued in Multi-State Dog Fighting Bust According to U.S. Attorney George Beck, Jr., the suspects involved were gambling between $5,000 and $200,000 per dog fight. U.S. Attorney's Office, Southern District of Georgia âThe Red Barnâ is one of what prosecutors believe are the three largest animal fighting arenas in ⦠In the process they rescued 168 dogs ⦠Authorities said more than 150 animals have been rescued after investigators from seven different counties served 11 search warrants. Authorities in west Georgia arrested 34 people and seized 27 vehicles, several guns and over $28,000 in cash in a Saturday night raid on an alleged dog-fighting operation in Meriwether County. This is an on-going investigation. “Because of the dedication between all law enforcement agencies involved, the citizens of Middle Georgia are safer and innocent animals have been rescued.”. Federal law enforcement officials executed 11 search warrants in Middle Georgia Wednesday in a massive dog fighting investigation.