{"id":7315,"date":"2014-11-12T21:44:00","date_gmt":"2014-11-13T05:44:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cjnotebook.com\/?p=7315"},"modified":"2014-11-12T21:44:00","modified_gmt":"2014-11-13T05:44:00","slug":"defendants-caught-largest-dog-fighting-raid-u-s-sentenced-federal-court","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cjnotebook.com\/?p=7315","title":{"rendered":"Defendants Caught in the Largest Dog Fighting Raid in U.S. History Sentenced in Federal Court"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"U.S.<\/a>MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA<\/strong> \u2014 A federal judge on Wednesday sentenced \u00a0eight people who were arrested during the second largest dog fighting raid in U.S. History, officials said.<\/p>\n

The judge said between 420 to 640 dogs were injured or killed in this animal cruelty case.<\/p>\n

During the sentencing, U.S. District Judge Keith Watkins also ordered that after their release from prison the defendants will be prohibited from possessing dogs.<\/p>\n

In addition, \u00a0a restitution hearing will be scheduled in the future where the defendants may be ordered to pay \u00a0the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and the Humane Society of the United States for the care of the dogs that were rescued.<\/p>\n

Some defendants will be required to attend a drug program due to the large amounts of narcotics involved with this case.<\/p>\n

On Aug. 23, 2013, The Humane Society and the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals \u00a0assisted the U.S. Attorney\u2019s Office and FBI in seizing hundreds of dogs in Alabama, Mississippi and Georgia.<\/p>\n

Federal and local officials also seized firearms and drugs, as well as more than $500,000 in cash from dog fighting gambling activities.<\/p>\n

Throughout the hearing, Judge Watkins commented on the extreme cruelty committed both due to dog fighting and the conditions in which these dogs were forced to live. He said the federal sentencing guidelines for dog fighting are wholly inadequate to address the seriousness of the crime.<\/p>\n

He estimated that the defendants had injured or killed between 420 to 640 dogs in the course of this dog fighting operation. Also he noted was the amount of drugs, weapons and violence intertwined with dog fighting.<\/p>\n

\u201cThese dogs lived in deplorable conditions that constituted extraordinary cruelty,\u201d stated U.S. Attorney George L. Beck, Jr.<\/p>\n

Adding, \u201cThey were made to fight and if they lost, they were killed. In addition to the brutality experienced by the dogs, these events attracted drugs dealers and illegal gambling. It was not uncommon for large amounts of cash, often between twenty and two-hundred thousand dollars, to change hands. The prospect of huge profits made these fights even more popular and provided a venue for other criminal activity. I hope that these sentences demonstrate the seriousness of this crime and will deter others from committing these atrocities.\u201d
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