Small Town Bust Uncovers Big Time Cruelty

©The HSUS

This dog was seized at the Bayboro bust.

By Ariana Huemer

On a hot and humid afternoon in mid-July, the small town of Bayboro, N.C. was shaken to learn of an alleged dogfighting operation in the community. Acting on a tip that a Bayboro resident was training and selling fighting dogs, investigators from the Pamlico County sheriff's department and Pamlico County animal control, accompanied by The HSUS, swooped down on the property of 36-year-old Corey Jordan.

There they found 17 adult dogs, many scarred and injured, chained to stakes. Nearby was

a blood-stained plywood pit box, containing bloody carpet and a makeshift treadmill—a device typically used to strengthen dogs for fighting. Investigators also found 14 pit bull puppies huddled in pens.

Pamlico County Animal Control took all 31 dogs into protective custody, and sheriff's investigators charged Jordan with 17 felony dogfighting counts and 17 misdemeanor animal cruelty charges for restraining dogs in a cruel manner. With an additional 31 more misdemeanor dogfighting-related charges, Jordan, if convicted, could be facing a lengthy prison-stay. 

While the discovery of a dogfighting operation might have been unexpected to some Bayboro residents, it hardly surprised dogfighting experts.

"North Carolina has long been notorious as a hub of illegal dogfighting activity. Many of the biggest names in underground, illegal dogfighting—as well as smaller, 'hobby' dogfighters—hail from North Carolina," said Robert Reder, The HSUS' North Carolina representative who accompanied local law enforcement in the raid.

While "hobby" dogfighters run relatively smaller operations than rings recently busted in Virginia and Ohio, the small-time operations are no less cruel and the penalties against them are no less severe. Dogfighting has been a felony in North Carolina since 1998, carrying considerable prison time.

Despite that, stubborn adherents to the bloodsport have yet to throw in the towel. However, the July 12 Bayboro bust should make it clear to dogfighting participants at all levels that anyone—from high-profile celebrities to the small-time, hobby dogfighter—is fair game when it comes to cracking down on illegal animal fighting.

Ariana Huemer is cruelty caseworker for The Humane Society of the United States.

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