8 Sentenced In Second Largest Dog Fighting Ring In History
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From Montgomery — the U.S. Attorney’s office says 8 people involved in the second largest dog fighting raid in US history have now  been sentenced to prison. You may remember that case from last year, when local and federal law enforcement agencies seized 451 dogs — most of them in deplorable conditions.
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Investigators say the dogs were tethered to heavy chains, they were starvng to death, some had missing eyes. But now the people convicted of fighting these dogs will see time behind bars…
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Hundreds of dogs from Texas, Georgia, Mississippi and in Alabama were forced to fight  other dogs.
The U.S. attorney’s office says most of the time, it was all for money.
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“In this one single dog fighring ring, we’ve heard of hundreds of dogs being involved, numerous states being involved and the amounts of money involved in this dog-fighting conspiracy is unpresedented,” Said Tim Rickey with ASPCA.
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But  now 8 of the 13 people found guilty of being involved in the dog fighting have been sentenced.
Five of them are from Alabama: Donnie Anderson received 8 years for sponsoring the dog fights — that’s the longest sentence ever given  in a federal dog fighting case. Investigators say they found nearly 150 dogs just at his home. Michael Martin, Irkis Forrest, William Edwards, and Sandy Brown were also sentenced between 6 months to 5 years.
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Three others from Texas, Georgia and Mississippi were also sentenced — that’s how far the investigation spanned.
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“We believe that the sentences given will send a message to those who want to violate the law that it will not be tolerated in the Middle District,” Said U.S. Attorney, George Beck Jr.
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These are some of the photos released by the agencies that worked the case. They were used as evidence in the court to show the conditions the dogs suffered. So bad, between 400 and 600 died  during the period of time the dog fighting took placed.
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“This was my first dog fighting case. I found it incredibly emotional. I do not ever want to make light of people who go to war but i came home many nights thinking i had PTSD so it was tough, it was really tough,” Said case prosector, Clark Morris.
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While it’s been a long road to recovery, the good news is about 250 of the 451 dogs now have new homes.
About 270 dogs were found in Alabama.
Five other people were found guilty in the dog fighting ring. Their sentences will be held in the coming weeks.
