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Texas Sting Reveals Dogfighting Underworld

Undercover cops bust vast fighting ring; seize 190 dogs

By Katherine Thompson,  Newser Staff

Posted Dec 7, 2008 1:55 PM CST
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(Newser) – Two undercover Texas cops infiltrated and brought down a dogfighting ring that appears to be part of an underground network that spans several states and has ties to Mexico. Dogfighting, recently upgraded from a misdemeanor to a felony in Texas, is "like the Saturday night poker game for hardened criminals,” one officer tells the New York Times. Some 55 people have been charged, and 187 pit bulls confiscated and euthanized.

In their 17 months posing as gang members, the undercover agents documented a culture that thought nothing of the brutal treatment of dogs: Those who lost in the ring were killed, and even successful pit bulls lived in "torturous conditions," says a Humane Society vet, who adds that "death was more pleasant than what they had to exist for.” Officials say this bust is just the beginning—“We could have gone on and on and on with this investigation,” says one.

Dog owners in underground dogfighting rings go through elaborate training regimes to make their dogs fight more viciously than ordinary dogs like these.
Dog owners in underground dogfighting rings go through elaborate training regimes to make their dogs fight more viciously than ordinary dogs like these.   (©holisticmonkey)
A rescued pit bull is treated at the Missouri Humane Society headquarters Monday, Oct. 22, 2007. The dog is one of 25 pit bulls that were recovered from an alleged dogfighting operation.
A rescued pit bull is treated at the Missouri Humane Society headquarters Monday, Oct. 22, 2007. The dog is one of 25 pit bulls that were recovered from an alleged dogfighting operation.   (AP Photo/Tom Gannam)
Many dogs rescued from dogfighting rings are not aggressive toward humans, but most of them retain their tendencies to fight other dogs, and have to be put down.
Many dogs rescued from dogfighting rings are not aggressive toward humans, but most of them retain their tendencies to fight other dogs, and have to be put down.   (AP Photo/Tom Gannam)
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It was absolutely awful. It’s not the dogs’ fault. It’s that people have taken and exploited this breed. - Dr. Dawn Blackmar, a Texas veterinarian whose office had to put down 80 dogs because of their danger to others.

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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 4 comments
Shannonals
Dec 9, 2008 10:15 PM CST
Animal fights isn't really news, it's been occuring for centuries, people have just now, "noticed" because it is now out in the, "light"
Guest
Dec 7, 2008 7:23 PM CST
as someone who has THREE rescue dogs, people like this make me so fugging angry. i hate them for the cruelty they inflict on dogs, and for the fact that they give pit bulls a BAD rap. i've had a pit bull and she was the sweetest dog. i'd like a few minutes alone with the dog fighters...
Guest
Dec 7, 2008 3:31 AM CST
I also wonder why these people are attracted to this cruelty of animals. If they would treat animals like this, then probably they would also treat people in the same fashion.

Another ring busted in LA
KTLA

Chicago offers big rewards for tips
Chicago Tribune

Pittsburgh police find evidence of ring
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

 
Texas • Michael Vick • felony • dogfighting • undercover investigation • pit bulls

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