Georgia's New Dogfighting Law Sees First Arrest

©The HSUS

Like most fighting dogs, the confiscated dogs from Shake Down Kennels were in poor condition.

On July 3, 2008, the Madison County Sheriff's Office, acting on intelligence provided by The Humane Society of the United States, raided Shake Down Kennels, an alleged dogfighting operation in Danielsville, Ga.

Johnny Johnson, the apparent owner of the operation, was arrested and charged with felony dogfighting. Authorities seized seven dogs along with suspected dogfighting paraphernalia.

"Today's raid is the first salvo in what we hope will be a long list of law enforcement actions that utilize Georgia's newly strengthened law to end the horrible spectacle of dogfighting in the state," said John Goodwin, manager of animal fighting issues for The HSUS. "The Madison County Sheriff's Office deserves great recognition for taking such quick action against a suspected dogfighting operation. The raid shows that once law enforcement is given the necessary tools, they are ready and able to bring animal fighters to justice."

Information regarding Shake Down Kennels was first provided to The HSUS via its tip line, 877-TIP-HSUS. The HSUS animal fighting tip line was established as a pro-bono venture by Atlanta-based security 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.  

Dr. Melinda Merck, forensic veterinarian and leader of American Society for the Protection of Cruelty to Animals' CSI Unit, also assisted with the raid and evaluated the seized dogs for evidence of animal fighting. 

"We will not tolerate those who promote and profit from illegal dogfighting in our county and we are grateful to both The HSUS and the ASPCA for their work on this case," said Madison County Sheriff Clayton Lowe. "Now that we have the law on our side, the time when law enforcement had to turn a blind eye to illegal dogfighting is over."

On May 16, Gov. Sonny Purdue signed legislation strengthening the state's dogfighting law. The July 3 raid in Madison County is the first reported law enforcement action under the new law, which makes it a felony to own, possess, train, transport or sell a dog for the purpose of dogfighting. Those involved in illegal dogfighting, as Johnson is alleged to be, can receive one to five years in prison, a minimum fine of $5,000 or both.