Dogfight Suspect Speaks

[Marty]

Tucson,AZ --Only a day after raids around the county to stop a suspected dogfighting operation, Robert Smith, more often known as Bobby, was back out after his arrest. He and five others are charged with dogfighting.

"There's no way these dogs have been fought," Smith said. He admitted to fighting dogs when he was younger, but said that it was sparring instead of fighting to the death. He said that now he treats them as a hobby, and that he is part of the All American Dog Registry.

"We're putting on dog shows all across the country and I've become quite a famous dog show judge," he said.

"This is something specifically for the dog fighting community," said Marsh Myers with the Humane Society of Southern Arizona.

He said that even pit bulls in good shape can be proof of dogfighting.

"Very often the animals are well taken care of, prior to the fight," Myers said.

"Their only objective is to kill this breed of dog and to make money off it," Smith said.

Smith said that he's a victim of a Humane Society fundraising strategy.

"The people are sending in the donations--here's 100 dollars, we'll stop this," Smith said.

"I'm not aware of any huge influx of money into our agency, although we are a nonprofit and we do have 20,000 animals a year we have to take care of," Myers said.

The court still must decide who gets the dogs as investigators continue to build their case against the suspects.

"Their actions are much louder than their words," Myers said.

"I just want my dogs back and live with me in peace like they have for all these years," Smith said.

Smith was a ticket seller at the Tucson Greyhound Park, but has been suspended until he is cleared of his charge of dogfighting. Both he and the park said that Smith did not handle Greyhounds there.

Smith said that his dogs will be killed, but that decision also has yet to be made. Investigators are still trying to determine if the pit bulls have been bred to be aggressive toward other animals, or have been trained that way. If the latter, investigators said that the dogs could be rehabilitated; if the dogs are bred that way, investigators say euthanasia might be the only alternative. The sheriff's department is working on getting the FBI, ATF and the USDA involved in hopes of including federal charges.

http://www.kold.com/Global/story.asp?S=7903037&nav=14RT

[pennsooner]

How can a non governmental organization get this level of power? There has to be someway the pitbull community can file a class action lawsuit or something to get part of the equation changed.


Yes, I noticed the part about how a " pitbull in good shape can be proof of dogfighting".


That should send a chill down the spine of anyone who owns a healthy pitbull. I'm not sure what could be a more open declaration of war against the breed.

[chinasmom]

I feel nausea now coming on...This is the part that got me.


Smith said that his dogs will be killed, but that decision also has yet to be made. Investigators are still trying to determine if the pit bulls have been bred to be aggressive toward other animals, or have been trained that way. If the latter, investigators said that the dogs could be rehabilitated; if the dogs are bred that way, investigators say euthanasia might be the only alternative. The sheriff's department is working on getting the FBI, ATF and the USDA involved in hopes of including federal charges.

It's bred in them to not like other dogs. Duh...

[215pitts]

I reall hope they get their dogs back safe!

[simms]

That's right! These folk are out to see the exticntion of this breed! Pitbull petbull in the end there will be no difference.

[simms]

I feel nausea now coming on...This is the part that got me.


Smith said that his dogs will be killed, but that decision also has yet to be made. Investigators are still trying to determine if the pit bulls have been bred to be aggressive toward other animals, or have been trained that way. If the latter, investigators said that the dogs could be rehabilitated; if the dogs are bred that way, investigators say euthanasia might be the only alternative. The sheriff's department is working on getting the FBI, ATF and the USDA involved in hopes of including federal charges.

It's bred in them to not like other dogs. Duh...
It's sad what the judicial system can convict a person on and how.....
Hell they could come to your home and accuse you of the very same thing.

[simms]

How can a non governmental organization get this level of power? There has to be someway the pitbull community can file a class action lawsuit or something to get part of the equation changed.


Yes, I noticed the part about how a " pitbull in good shape can be proof of dogfighting".


That should send a chill down the spine of anyone who owns a healthy pitbull. I'm not sure what could be a more open declaration of war against the breed.
The community has to come together.....have some unity. But as long as there are those that sit on the fence and continue to openly or privately support this group, stand against the standard this breed is fucked! They can accuse anybody of this shit and get away with it,esp if you have multiple dogs.

[simms]

I reall hope they get their dogs back safe! I hope so too. I hope this a wake up call to everyone as well..........

[powder925]

" pitbull in good shape can be proof of dogfighting".

better watch yer ass marty with all those pics of lil bit you have been posting......:D

[Marty]

I have nothing to hide... bring it on! :D

[Unregistered]

It makes me sick to my stomach when this happened we all need to come together and fight this I do hope that they get there dogs back the f**king hsus and the peta and any type of law enforcement don't know elbows from assholes they need to be educated in this breed the right way I got pulled over by cops cause my dog looked to skinny what the hell is this country going too hey vick I hope you drop the soap asshole.

[tommy3]

It is a damn shame that people can be stripped of constitutional rights like this. And, it is all based upon lies and propaganda.

I swear, if I was wealthy I would fight to the death for the rights of our country's citizens. I really don't think there are any group of people in the US that are more discriminated against than pit bull owners. Someone really needs to blow the whistle about what is happening regarding our constitutional rights and rights as human beings. We are getting raped by the system and the public doesn't care because they feel that we are less-than-human when the media feeds them all of this propaganda.

Unfortunately, to make a big enough stir, it will cost a large amount of money.

[misterdogman]

http://www.50states.com/flag/image/nunst022.gif (http://www.50states.com/iowa.htm)

I love the saying on this state flag, it means a lot to me. It is also very true because with organizations like the AC and HSUS this statement actually has weight. Sometime somewhere someone had to prize something enough to guarantee they would fight to maintain it. With no checks and balances and concerning things like family and friends and our dogs I can see this becoming more than a battle I can see a revolution. I can guarantee you this.... the Governtment can only police the people as much as the people allows the Government to police them.
And now seeing that according to these sloths that just having my fit game bred dogs means I am a dog fighter, or that my love of the breed is in jeopardy or may one day disappear and these dogs may be taught or trained to be this way etc makes me realize how ignorant the propaganda is in this media surged topic and if it comes down to it I am gonna snap and get to doin some maintaining and liberty guaranteein right afuckingway because I am tired of this junk.... I promise you that. I am a effin american and cant nobody tell me what to do. Define "Free" because other people are doing a real bad job of making me understand what it means.

[Pitbull219]

I have nothing to hide... bring it on! :Dwith all due respect Marty, even those with nothing to hide are in danger. If they raid your home, seize your assets, seize your dogs, defame your character, throw you in jail, file federal charges against you.....all based on rumors and hearsay with no evidence (from what they man from HSUS said they clearly can define anything they want as evidence) you could be ruined even if you prove your innocence. Yes, notice I said prove your innocence, not them proving or failing to prove you guilty. Once the accusations are made against you, it would be next to impossible to find a jury sympathetic to your case.......and in the end you'd be broke, dog-less, and shunned by society. This shit is scary!!!

[bahamutt99]

Its damn scary.

[ghost 1]

shoot the first one to try to take ur property,,,,warrants and court orders won't help them here,,,,

[SMOKIN HEMI]

with all due respect Marty, even those with nothing to hide are in danger. If they raid your home, seize your assets, seize your dogs, defame your character, throw you in jail, file federal charges against you.....all based on rumors and hearsay with no evidence (from what they man from HSUS said they clearly can define anything they want as evidence) you could be ruined even if you prove your innocence. Yes, notice I said prove your innocence, not them proving or failing to prove you guilty. Once the accusations are made against you, it would be next to impossible to find a jury sympathetic to your case.......and in the end you'd be broke, dog-less, and shunned by society. This shit is scary!!!

Sad thing is that even when you are proven innocent no one ever goes back and clear up your name. Sad

[simms]

For those of you participating in this discussion in not so friendly waters..... I comend you for your efforts and tact.

[pennsooner]

shoot the first one to try to take ur property,,,,warrants and court orders won't help them here,,,,



If you want to fight this sort of thing you are a LOT better off (more effective) by launching a hunger strike or something non violent. You can NOT fight the government through the use of force and win. The first thing any of those people knew was probably stun grenades going off.

And talking in public about "going down fighting" is suicide. That gives the government a free shot to lable you a terrorist and do anything they want.

You do something like launch a public hunger strike, use well thought out NON-violent methods you might have a prayer IF you can get your side of the story out.

People running their mouths about going down in a blaze of glory is the height of foolishness.
Of course the above tactics only have a chance IF you are really and fully law abiding. If you match dogs or sell dogs to people who match them you are screwed. The general, law abiding public looks on dog fighters about like they do child molesters. And like it or not dogfighting being illegal is the law of the land and it is NOT going to change.

[VOICE_of_REASON]

This whole ordeal makes my blood boil! This whole thing is a propaganda cursade! You see, the HSUS is sponsoring HB 2153 & SB 1365 The animal fighting bills, in Arizona! This is not a new bill per say. What they are doing is changing the wording to the current ARS 13-2910.01 (Dog Fighting) they want to change the the word dog to animal. And make it harder for anyone accused of this, to get out of jail. Once it passes, you will no longer be able to be released on your own recognizance, or bail out. They will seize your home or property, before you are even found guilty! They will be able to do this just because you are accused of it! Talk about violation of your rights!
The day this so called raid was conducted, Kari Nienstedt the head of the Humane Society of the United States Arizona division, met with Tucson representative Grijalva with the State legislators! I can guarentee you, this subject was the forfront of thier conversation. I am sure it went something like this, "Congressman Grijalva, animal fighting is so rampant in Arizona, that there was a huge fighting ring dismantled today" "we need your help with stopping these people with their dispicable acts. So please enact the Animal fighting bill!" -Yadda, yadda, yadda!
These raids were just PR acts for the HSUS, to get their demented agendas, enforced! I would be willing to bet that on the search warrants affidavit, it is based on hear say, only! It is the motto for the HSUS, they get contrived Hear say, for their bases of investigations.

I hope for the Pitbull community sake, everyone supports the people who lives have been ripped apart, by these unjust & malicious acts!

Please donate to their legal funds! (tax return season is upon us, donate some of it to help fight these bogus charges)

Send your donations to, Terry Williams and Bobby Smiths Attorney:

Roberta Jensen, Attorney
RE: Terry Williams & Bobby Smith defense fund
5912 E. 22nd ST.
Tucson, AZ. 85711

[purplepig]

Well, I understand the "you can have my gun when you pry my cold dead hands off of it" sentiment, like someone else said, we have let the government get too big. I have many weapons, but I couldnt hold off the government. Look at Waco, look at the "Freeman", that is what you can expect, and your side will never be told, with any credibility. There's a film out showing how the government set the fire's in Waco, but what do most believe when Waco is mentioned? Child molester, Crazy, etc.

We have let the government get too big.

What we really need is a platform from which to speak. And unfortunately, it seems that the media is biased. So you have the gorvernment, the media, and then the humaniacs, who have been waging this war since the game began, litterally. So they have been making plans, and getting into position for decades.

I am not saying to curr down either, but to fight with a sharp mind. That's why the whole "gunpowder" thing is so dumb. In a boxing match, who wins, the crazy boxer, or the smart boxer?
And when it comes to devising a plan, it does not need to be in open forum.

[kane85]

This whole ordeal makes my blood boil! This whole thing is a propaganda cursade! You see, the HSUS is sponsoring HB 2153 & SB 1365 The animal fighting bills, in Arizona! This is not a new bill per say. What they are doing is changing the wording to the current ARS 13-2910.01 (Dog Fighting) they want to change the the word dog to animal. And make it harder for anyone accused of this, to get out of jail. Once it passes, you will no longer be able to be released on your own recognizance, or bail out. They will seize your home or property, before you are even found guilty! They will be able to do this just because you are accused of it! Talk about violation of your rights!
The day this so called raid was conducted, Kari Nienstedt the head of the Humane Society of the United States Arizona division, met with Tucson representative Grijalva with the State legislators! I can guarentee you, this subject was the forfront of thier conversation. I am sure it went something like this, "Congressman Grijalva, animal fighting is so rampant in Arizona, that there was a huge fighting ring dismantled today" "we need your help with stopping these people with their dispicable acts. So please enact the Animal fighting bill!" -Yadda, yadda, yadda!
These raids were just PR acts for the HSUS, to get their demented agendas, enforced! I would be willing to bet that on the search warrants affidavit, it is based on hear say, only! It is the motto for the HSUS, they get contrived Hear say, for their bases of investigations.

I hope for the Pitbull community sake, everyone supports the people who lives have been ripped apart, by these unjust & malicious acts!

Please donate to their legal funds! (tax return season is upon us, donate some of it to help fight these bogus charges)

Send your donations to, Terry Williams and Bobby Smiths Attorney:

Roberta Jensen, Attorney
RE: Terry Williams & Bobby Smith defense fund
5912 E. 22nd ST.
Tucson, AZ. 85711
They got my support I will donate the f**king HSUS and PETA and any type of law enforcement don't know elbows from assholes makes me sick inside just thinking about it I hope they leave them alone and give there dogs back so they could go back to there regular lifes and live in peace pleas people if we don't stop this together it will continue to happen and keep passing bullshit laws. I know some people might not care cause it did not happen in your state but read my words if any law passes it will create a snowball effact and cause major bsl laws through out the country we all need to speak as one and to m.vick I hope you and you partners drop the soap big time.

[chinasmom]

Exactly purple. It's not "We the people" anymore. It's the We the people that have let government take over our lives by gun control, phone tapping, telling you where you can smoke and what. When you have a dog outside in a barrel or house and you are automatically a dog fighter. Where does it end, or will it.
Going after them with harshness has gotten the whole thing nowhere. A leader needs to be appointed on every APBT forum that exists, if they have any sense, and tell them everything they need to hear. We will like their faces raw...

[215pitts]

Just curious would a Civil War ever happen again in the US? I mean with all this talk about our government.

[circe]

Just curious would a Civil War ever happen again in the US? I mean with all this talk about our government.We already had one..and if you think that one was JUST about slavery..well, like they say..history is written by the winners folks.

[GABulldog]

a prime example of a salem witch hunt...angry mob looks for any excuse to spark up controversy, and the thing is the public buys into this BS because they dont know any better...so they keep supporting it.

[Virgil dogs]

This kind of thing has been going on for a long long time.I was at a dog show 25 years ago and there was a guy there who looked pretty rough,like he hadent slept for a while.His dogs were not in shape or even clean.I went over and introducded myself.This poor guy had quite a story.He said the in-humane soc.was "after him".He said they came to check out his dogs as they heard he was fighting them.They could'nt find any with wounds so they left.That night he had one of his dogs get loose.It happened to be a young dog that was more interested in running around teaseing the rest.He chained him back up.The next night it happened again!These basterds were letting his dogs loose at night so they could bust him in the morning! He ended up sleeping in his yard.Now this was way before motion camras.He had to lock his dogs to there chains.He was at the show so he could show a reason for having his dogs.Aint that a bitch. Another guy I knew got busted.AT around 5 am they showed up at his house with a backhoe,dug a big hole shot ALL his dogs even puppies and carted him off to jail!Dont think it cant happen to you.All they need to do is say you are ''suspected'' of being a dogfighter and in the eyes of the public you are the scum of the earth.Sucks dont it.