Post by Admin on Nov 16, 2008 1:27:31 GMT -5
www.click2houston.com/news/17982135/detail.html
HOUSTON -- Fifty-five people have been charged in what is believed to be one of the largest dogfighting operations in the United States, KPRC Local 2 reported Friday.
One of the alleged participants who was arrested was a special education teacher who was taken into custody at a school.
Harris County District Attorney Kenneth Magidson said more than 100 dogs were also seized.
"They were bred specifically to fight," said Belinda Smith of the Harris County District Attorney's Office. "They are not pets."
A horse and a snake that may have been used for training were also seized.
The Texas Department of Public Safety's Criminal Intelligence Service headed up the yearlong investigation.
Officials said the operation spread from Tyler to Matagorda County.
Investigators said fights were staged in Harris County weekly or twice monthly at one of eight secluded sites. Fifteen to 100 people attended each fight and many wagered on the outcomes, officials said.
"The spectators were there for the entertainment value," said Lisa Block with DPS. "The people who were putting on the events are there to make money."
The investigation began after someone called in a tip.
Mary Lewis said she was shocked when investigators showed up at a neighboring property to make an arrest. She said she was surprised to watch the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals take one pit bull after another.
"He (the neighbor) was showing the dogs, he was hunting the dogs, he was using them as pulling dogs," Lewis said. "I have never seen one that looked like it was mistreated."
"This is the largest dogfighting investigation that the USDA's Office of Inspector General has worked in the Southwest," said Abelino Farias Jr., the United States Department of Agriculture's Special Agent in Charge. Sherman Hopper said he couldn't believe he knew someone who would be involved in dogfighting.
"I was thinking what a sorry person," Hopper said. "He says he's got these dogs back here for show but they're back there for fighting. It makes you feel bad for the animals, of course."
"Hopefully we'll put a dent into dogfighting and kind of deter this activity," Smith said.
Forty-one felony charges were filed, mostly for engaging in dogfighting. A conviction on that charge carries a punishment of up to two years in state jail. Forty-five other charges were filed for the class A misdemeanor of being a spectator at a dogfight, which is punishable by up to one year in county jail and a $4,000 fine
HOUSTON -- Fifty-five people have been charged in what is believed to be one of the largest dogfighting operations in the United States, KPRC Local 2 reported Friday.
One of the alleged participants who was arrested was a special education teacher who was taken into custody at a school.
Harris County District Attorney Kenneth Magidson said more than 100 dogs were also seized.
"They were bred specifically to fight," said Belinda Smith of the Harris County District Attorney's Office. "They are not pets."
A horse and a snake that may have been used for training were also seized.
The Texas Department of Public Safety's Criminal Intelligence Service headed up the yearlong investigation.
Officials said the operation spread from Tyler to Matagorda County.
Investigators said fights were staged in Harris County weekly or twice monthly at one of eight secluded sites. Fifteen to 100 people attended each fight and many wagered on the outcomes, officials said.
"The spectators were there for the entertainment value," said Lisa Block with DPS. "The people who were putting on the events are there to make money."
The investigation began after someone called in a tip.
Mary Lewis said she was shocked when investigators showed up at a neighboring property to make an arrest. She said she was surprised to watch the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals take one pit bull after another.
"He (the neighbor) was showing the dogs, he was hunting the dogs, he was using them as pulling dogs," Lewis said. "I have never seen one that looked like it was mistreated."
"This is the largest dogfighting investigation that the USDA's Office of Inspector General has worked in the Southwest," said Abelino Farias Jr., the United States Department of Agriculture's Special Agent in Charge. Sherman Hopper said he couldn't believe he knew someone who would be involved in dogfighting.
"I was thinking what a sorry person," Hopper said. "He says he's got these dogs back here for show but they're back there for fighting. It makes you feel bad for the animals, of course."
"Hopefully we'll put a dent into dogfighting and kind of deter this activity," Smith said.
Forty-one felony charges were filed, mostly for engaging in dogfighting. A conviction on that charge carries a punishment of up to two years in state jail. Forty-five other charges were filed for the class A misdemeanor of being a spectator at a dogfight, which is punishable by up to one year in county jail and a $4,000 fine