AL: Dog fighting house busted, two arrested

Dog fighting house busted, two arrested
Andrew J. Yawn, Montgomery Advertiser 9:23 a.m. CST February 26, 2016


Siblings Bobby Terrell Fuller and LaTonya Michelle Jones were arrested earlier this week for alleged involvement in a dog-fighting operation.

Authorities found the dog-fighting pit and 10 pit bull terriers behind a home in the 100 block of Cobb Lane after receiving a tip on Jan. 9.

Montgomery Humane Society Animal Cruelty Investigator Denton Hawk arrived on the scene and found fresh blood on the walls of the fighting pit and 10 scarred, wounded, "very thin" dogs.

"They were very thin and had scarring from apparently dog fighting," Hawk said. "Some had open oozing wounds and scars and bite marks on face, legs, feet and neck."

A trail of wooden pallets led through the woods behind the house to the fighting pit. The pit was carpeted for traction and had apparently been used recently, Hawk said.

"There was fresh blood on all sides, bright red blood," Hawk said.

Hawk also saw a canvas strap tied to a tree. He believed it to be a way to weigh dogs prior to fights, something indicative of a highly organized operation.

Fuller and Smith were at the house when authorities arrived, but four or five other cars were left abandoned by other suspects.

Prior to arresting Fuller and Jones, Hawk said the goal was to apprehend as many suspects as possible.

"We were trying to cast as large a net as possible," Hawk said. "Dog fighting is never one or two people."

He described dog-fighting in the area as a highly organized crime done for sport and money.

"It always goes on," Hawk said. "We know we have people fighting in organized fashion. We have repeat offenders who don't seem to learn the first time. they get into the sport of it, the bragging rights of having the top dog. We know it goes on."

Fuller is being held on a $5,000 bond. Jones made bond the same day she was arrested.

The Humane Society of the United States also offers a $5,000 reward for any tips that lead to the arrest or conviction of anybody involved with dog fighting or puppy mills.

Anybody with local information can contact the Montgomery Humane Society humane officers at 334-409-0622 or through their Facebook page. Any messages sent to the humane officers Facebook page go directly to an investigator, Hawk said.

Dog fighting house busted, two arrested