ASPCA Manages Transport, Care of 16 Additional Dogs Surrendered in Federal Dog Fighting Case

New York, N.Y.—The ASPCA^® (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals^®) was called upon by federal and local authorities to manage the transport and care of 16 more dogs surrendered by two defendants arrested in connection with the second largest dog fighting raid in U.S. history.

Two of 13 men arrested last month on charges of dog fighting—Demontt Allen of Houston, Texas and Sandy Brown of Brownsville, Ala.—surrendered the dogs who were later transported to a temporary shelter in an undisclosed location where hundreds of other dogs seized in the raid are being cared for by the ASPCA.  The ASPCA’s Anti-Cruelty Behavior team has been providing socialization and behavior enrichment for all the dogs since the raid a month ago.

The dogs surrendered are pit bulls mixes, estimated to range in age from one to four years. Many of the dogs appeared emaciated or thin, and some of them exhibited scars and other conditions consistent with dog fighting. Others tested positive for heartworm and they will be treated by the ASPCA medical team.

“Fighting dogs live brutal lives and are viewed as solely a means to financial gain by their owners,” said Tim Rickey, vice president of ASPCA Field Investigations and Response. “The dogs that have been surrendered have been spared a life of suffering. Thanks to the collaboration of numerous agencies involved in the case, these dogs have escaped a grim and violent end.”

Responders from the ASPCA and the Humane Society of the United States continue to provide veterinary attention and daily care for the dogs seized from multiple properties throughout Alabama, Georgia and Mississippi on August 23. The multi-state raid was the result of a three-year investigation initiated by the Auburn Police. Thirteen individuals were arrested on felony dog fighting charges and if convicted, the defendants could face up to five years in prison, as well as fines and restitution.

Dog fighting is a felony in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Additional illegal activities are often connected with dog fighting, such as drug and weapons violations. For more information on the ASPCA’s efforts to tackle animal fighting and to join the ASPCA Advocacy Brigade, please click here.