AL: Dog fighters to pay largest restitution in federal history

Dog fighters to pay largest restitution in federal history
Posted: Jan 21, 2015 2:39 PM EST Updated: Jan 21, 2015 2:40 PM EST

MONTGOMERY, AL (WSFA) - The individuals who pleaded guilty to the second largest dog fighting raid in U.S. history are being ordered to pay the largest restitution ever recorded in a federal dog fighting case.

During the hearings, which were held on Friday, U.S. District Judge Keith Watkins ordered the defendants to collectively responsible for paying a restitution in the amount of $1.98 million to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) and the Humane Society of the United States. Both organizations assisted in the removal, transport, treatment, sheltering and care of the more than 400 animals seized during the raid.

A multi-agency investigation led to the arrests of 12 people from Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi and Texas, 10 of them indicted for violations of the federal dog fighting statute and the federal gambling statute. The organizations estimated that they collectively spent around $5.5 million on the case alone.

“These dog fighters abused, starved and killed their dogs for the supposed ‘fun' of watching and gambling on a dog fight,” stated U.S. Attorney George L. Beck. “We would like to thank the HSUS and the ASPCA for taking care of these sick, wounded and abused dogs for such an extended period of time. Because the HSUS and the ASPCA took such care of these dogs, many were able to be placed in rescues or homes, where they are now safe from the horrible lives they previously had to endure.”

“Once again, the court sent a serious message to dog fighters about the true cost of their crime,” said Chris Schindler, manager of animal fighting investigations for The HSUS, who testified at the hearings. “The dogs rescued in this case suffered physically and emotionally and required untold hours of medical care and enrichment with professional staff. The individuals who treated them so poorly should be held responsible.”

Dog fighters to pay largest restitution in federal history - WSFA.com Montgomery Alabama news.

 

$2 million in restitution ordered in dogfighting cases

Posted: Wednesday, January 21, 2015 12:05 pm

A total of $1,987,411.95 in restitution has been ordered in connection with what is believed to be the second largest dogfighting raid in the United States.

Restitution hearings in front of U.S. District Judge William Keith Watkins concluded recently.

The raids, which occurred in August of 2013, spanned throughout the Wiregrass, Georgia, Mississippi and other places.

The restitution will be allocated between the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and The Humane Society of the United States, according to a written release. The ASPCA estimates the two entities spent between $5.5 million on the case.

“These dog fighters abused, starved and killed their dogs for the supposed ‘fun’ of watching and gambling on a dog fight,” U.S Attorney George Beck said in the release.

In August of 2013, the FBI seized hundreds of dogs in Alabama, Mississippi and Georgia. Federal and local officials also seized firearms and drugs, as well as more than $500,000 in cash from dog fighting gambling activities.

The case was investigated by the Auburn Police Division and the Federal Bureau of Investigation with assistance from the following agencies: Alabama Alcoholic Beverage Control Board; Coffee County Sheriff’s Office; Alabama State Troopers; Lee County District Attorney’s Office; Alabama Department of Public Safety; Bainbridge; Georgia Department of Public Safety; Georgia Bureau of Investigation; Echols County Sheriff’s Office; United States Marshals Service; Lee County Sheriff’s Office; Houston County Sheriff’s Office; Opelika Police Department; Georgia Highway Patrol; Georgia Bureau of Investigation; Mississippi Bureau of Investigation; Drug Enforcement Administration in Pensacola, Fla. and Columbus, Ga.; and Taylor Crossing Animal Hospital.

Dog fighting is a felony in all 50 states and the District of Columbia.

$2 million in restitution ordered in dogfighting cases - Dothan Eagle: Crime Court

 

Damn, that's a lot of money to be paid.

 

I agree, rage, I'd love to see their break down of expenses they claim. Would be laughable!