Dogfighting Kingpin Toppled in Louisiana Raid

©2005	HSUS

He's been called the "Godfather of dogfighting," the "dogfighting don," and even the "Babe Ruth of dogfighting." Since March 9, Floyd Boudreaux is being called something else: an accused felon. On that day Louisiana State Police arrested Boudreaux, one of the most infamous dogfighters and breeders in the United States, along with his son Guy.

The arrests, which sent shock waves through the dogfighting world, were the culmination of a three-month effort by state and federal law enforcement agents, The Humane Society of the United States and the Louisiana SPCA.

Father and son were both charged with 57 felony counts of dogfighting and two counts of animal cruelty, following an early morning raid on Boudreaux's property in Broussard, Louisiana.

In addition to the state felony charges, Boudreaux and his son Guy could face federal charges for selling and transporting fighting dogs across state lines. All told, they might spend a total of ten years in prison for each of the 57 charges. For 70-year-old Floyd Boudreaux, that might as well be a life sentence.

Scarred Bodies and Temperaments

What investigators found on Boudreaux's property is typical of serious fighting dog operations: row after row of pit bulls, each tethered by a heavy chain to a small, ramshackle hut. Several sad-faced dogs bore a medley of deep scars on their muzzles and limbs, the hallmark of hardened fighting dogs.

Elsewhere in the compound, investigators found wooden ramps and treadmills, commonly used to train dogs in strength and endurance.

Laura Maloney, Louisiana SPCA director, said it was heartbreaking to see the dogs tethered outside in rows of five, wearing grooves into the muddy ground at the limit of their chains. Although most of the animals were healthy in spite of their scars, several were extremely aggressive. Because of their unsuitability for adoption, all of the adult dogs had to be euthanized.

Implications for The Shady World of Dog Fighting

What distinguished this bust from any other in recent years are its implications, both immediate and longstanding, for the world of dog fighting. Boudreaux is more than a backyard breeder—he is one of the main purveyors of some of the world's top fighting dog lines.

According to Sandy Christiansen, regional coordinator for HSUS's Southeast Regional Office, "Virtually every major bloodline of fighting dogs has the Boudreaux name somewhere in the pedigree. This guy's influence on the world of animal fighting has been huge."

More than any other person, Boudreaux has shaped the profile of the modern fighting dog. Specifically bred for maximum "gameness" (a determination to fight on, even in the face of certain death), dogs from the Boudreaux line are considered top-notch animals in the fighting world, fetching prices up to $10,000.

It's a quality that brought Boudreaux-bred dogs accolades from dog fighting enthusiasts, but little else. Even the most revered fighting dog lives the majority of his lonely life at the end of a short chain, with no social interaction save grim excursions to the fighting pit or breeding stand.

A Broussard neighbor said, "What bothers me the most is that they're on three-foot chains. Big, heavy chains. They spend their life under a chicken coop on a chain. That is not a life...that's horrible."

Nobody is Untouchable

As infamous as Boudreaux has been in the animal protection community, he has been equally admired in the dog fighting subculture. As far back as the 1950s, he appeared on the covers of animal fighting publications, posing alongside prized fighting animals. Today, his likeness graces t-shirts and other coveted dog fighting memorabilia.

It's no surprise, then, that Boudreaux's arrest has aroused rabid ire in the dogfighting world. Internet dogfighting chat sites are ablaze with the topic, with some devotees calling for a one-year moratorium on all dogfighting activity to "get the heat off." Others want the animal welfare officials involved to lose their jobs. Still others are scrambling to collect donations for Boudreaux's defense fund, perhaps fearing that they might soon need help themselves.

While Boudreaux evaded the law for years, his chances of escaping the justice system this time are slim, now that state and federal officials have stepped in. Regardless, the damage to his operation—and the world of illegal dogfighting—is done. The former "go-to guy" for fighting dogs has now lost most of his bark and bite.

Major dogfighting players are on notice that they could be the next ones in handcuffs, as long as they persist in their bloody business. Says Christiansen, "The arrests of Floyd and Guy Boudreaux send a message to the dog fighting community that no one is untouchable."

See the Video

HSUS Undercover: Inside Animal Fighting

Related Links

Dogfighting Fact Sheet