AL: Dog fighting ring busted in Washington County

Dog fighting ring busted in Washington County
Sunday, January 15th 2017, 11:20 am EST
Monday, January 16th 2017, 10:47 pm EST
By WALA Webstaff


CHATOM, AL (WALA) -

UPDATE: 23 people arrested during a dog fighting bust in Washington County remain jailed without bond. Washington County Sheriff Richard Stringer says they'll have a bond hearing on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, investigators with the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) out of New York are now involved with the case. They'll review the evidence. Depending on their findings, Stringer says the suspects could face more charges.

Stringer says the investigation is ongoing. Of the 41 vehicles impounded at the scene, none of the owners have come to claim them as of Monday evening. One of the vehicles was reported stolen, another was brand new and still had paper tags.

Original Story:

Washington County Sheriff Richard Stringer says his deputies arrested more than twenty people in a major dog fight raid Saturday night.

It happened around 9:00 p.m.

"This is nothing but a money-making event. Reminds me of someone who would take a child and prostitute them to make money. They are taking these dogs to fight them to make money. They are definitely not dog lovers. We will not tolerate cruelty to animals," said Sheriff Stringer.

Four pit bulls were rescued, several others ran away during the arrest. Six guns and up to $7,000 in cash was confiscated from the scene. Fourty-one vehicles, marijuana, prescription drugs and cell phones were also confiscated. There were also tools found that were used in the dog fight, such as chains.

Authorities say they have been investigating this crime for several months, but a tipster told them that the fight would be happening last night. The dog fighting took place in a clearing behind an abandoned home on Highway 45, about a mile east of the Mississippi State Line. The dog fighting pit was surrounded by trees and very organized, according to police.

We're told that 10 officers arrived to a chaotic scene with over 50 people at the dog fight. People started scattering when deputies arrived and they were able to make 23 arrests, however some people got away. More arrests are expected to be made.

"There was a good group of people there. They started running all over the place and into the woods. We had to just grab whomever we could," said Chief Deputy DeShone Holloway, Washington County Sheriff's Office.

Investigators say it was a very organized ring with portable dog fighting pit.

"They had it to where they could break it down and fold it up, load it in a vehicle, and move it from area to area - where they would want to fight the dogs," said Deputy Bobby Jeter, Washington County Sheriff's Office.

Investigators say there were people from Alabama, Mississippi, Georgia, Florida, Louisiana and Texas at the fight. The sheriff says this was a huge money maker because they were "championship fighting dogs" in a crime that includes the possible death or injury to the animal and illegal gambling where thousands of dollars are bet on the outcome of the vicious fight.

"We were told this was supposed to be a championship fight. We believe we got here just in time. At this point, the dogs are not in terrible shape. They are scratched up a little bit, but after an hour fight one of them is usually carried out if not possibly dead -- because either one gives up or dies is how they lose," said Deputy Brad Warrick, Washington County Sheriff's Office.

The dogs are being held by the sheriff's office at an undisclosed location. Deputies hope the dogs can be rehabilitated.

Arrested and charged are:

Latrell Gary, Dog Fighting

Smith Parnell, Dog Fighting

Kenneth Bell, Dog Fighting

DeMarcus Moody, Dog Fighting

Timothy Finch, Dog Fighting

Charles Wiley, Dog Fighting

Brian D. Johnson, Dog Fighting

Sharon Tatum, Dog Fighting

Ana Spotts, Dog Fighting

Kenyora Todd, Dog Fighting

Kaprianna Walker, Dog Fighting

Maranda Fenton, Dog Fighting

Sharon Berry, Dog Fighting

Rolanda Kirby, Dog Fighting

Kemma Kirby, Dog Fighting

Thelma Kirby, Dog Fighting

ChastieyTurner, Dog Fighting and possession of marijuana

Shaeinka Kirby, Dog Fighting

Jessica Michelle Leverette, Dog Fighting

Derick Jones, Dog Fighting

Darryl Berry, Dog Fighting

Kelvin Walker, Dog Fighting

http://www.wlox.com/story/34264312/dog-fighting-ring-busted-in-washington-county