Georgia Raid Takes Down Another Alleged Dogfighter

	©The HSUS
	The August 21, 2008, raid of Gerald Holcumb's property netted eleven scarred dogs and some suspected dogfighting paraphernalia.

In the fourth blow against organized dogfighting in Georgia in the past three months, authorities raided the alleged dogfighting operation of Gerald Holcumb, a.k.a. "Irish Jerry."

Acting on intelligence provided by The HSUS and Norred & Associates, The Appalachian Judicial Circuit District Attorney's office and Gilmer County Sheriff Stacey Nicholson lead the August 21 raid of the alleged dogfighting operation near Ellijay, Ga.

Gerald Holcumb, the apparent owner of the operation, was arrested and charged with felony dogfighting, being a felon in possession of a firearm and possession of marijuana. Authorities seized 11 dogs along with suspected dogfighting paraphernalia. Several dogs had scars consistent with dogfighting.

Holcumb's arrest is particularly significant because he is reportedly an influential figure in the underground dogfighting circuit who has been involved with dogfighting since 1966.  

Tips and Collaboration

"Today's raid is yet another blow to the dogfighting world," said Chris Schindler, deputy manager of animal fighting law enforcement for The HSUS. "We commend District Attorney Joe Hendricks' investigators for taking dogfighting allegations seriously and bringing animal fighting suspects to justice."

Dr. Melinda Merck, forensic veterinarian and leader of American Society for the Protection of Cruelty to Animals' CSI Unit, assisted with the raid and evaluated the seized dogs for evidence of animal fighting. The Zell Miller Mountain Parkway Drug Task Force also took part in the raid. 

Information regarding this alleged dogfighting operation was first provided to The HSUS via its tip line, 877-TIP-HSUS. The HSUS animal fighting tip line was established by Atlanta-based corporate security and investigations firm Norred & Associates in the wake of the Michael Vick case so that Georgia residents can easily report illegal animal fighting to authorities.

The HSUS offers up to $5,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of anyone involved in animal fighting. The HSUS's animal fighting reward program has been made possible thanks to a grant by the Holland M. Ware Charitable Foundation, which is also based in Atlanta.  

"Georgia's newly-strengthened dogfighting law has made it possible to crack down on another one of the nation's leading dogfighting figures," said Appalachian Circuit District Attorney Joe Hendricks. "I am thankful to my office's lead investigators in this case, Kenny Crook and Johnny Russell, Gilmer County Sheriff Stacey Nicholson, The Humane Society of the United States, the ASPCA and The Zell Miller Mountain Parkway Drug Task Force for their hard work in making this raid happen."

It is a felony to own, possess, train, transport or sell a dog for the purpose of dogfighting in Georgia. Those involved in illegal dogfighting, as Holcumb is alleged to be, can receive one to five years in prison, a minimum fine of $5,000 or both. This is the fourth significant dogfighting raid for which The HSUS and Norred & Associates have provided intelligence to Georgia authorities since Gov. Sonny Purdue signed legislation strengthening the state's dogfighting law on May 16.

What You Can Do

Learn to spot the signs of dogfighting and fight back against this criminal activity.

Related Links

Dogfighting

Dogfighting Fact Sheet

Dogfighting Cases

Taking Action to End Dogfighting: How to Spot the Signs and What You Can Do