Dog News

27 Pit Bulls Rescued from Dog-Fighting Ring

by Melanie

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Two men have been arrested and 27 pit bulls seized after a dog-fighting ring in Charlotte, North Carolina was busted.  Officials say it’s the largest ring they’ve ever investigated.

Melvin Smith and Lefonze Williams have been charged with the felony of training animals with the purpose of dog fighting and baiting.

2.9.13 Rescued Pit Bulls4
Melvin Smith, left, and Lefonze Williams

 

Police responded after receiving a tip that several pit bulls were in the backyard of a residence.  When police arrived they found several barking dogs chained up in the yard.  Animal control was called, and they found evidence “consistent with training dogs for the purposes of fighting.”

Police ran a perimeter around the home and obtained a search warrant while waiting for the residents to return.  Once inside, they found a fighting arena, tethers, antibiotics and muscle supplements.

Sadly, two dead puppies were also found.  They were only a few weeks old.

This latest discovery comes just two weeks after police busted another dog-fighting ring in Charlotte.  Fourteen pit bulls were rescued, and two men were arrested.  At this point police do not suspect that the two cases are connected.