Massive Law Enforcement Raid Targets Ohio Dog Fighting Network

DAYTON, Ohio - After a year-long investigation in cooperation with The Humane Society of the United States, a combined federal, state and local law enforcement team disrupted a large dog fighting network in Dayton, Ohio late last night. Simultaneously, several kennels suspected of breeding and selling fighting dogs were also raided in Southwestern Ohio. The kennels are in Dayton, Cincinnati and Trotwood.

The coordinated raids involved 22 law enforcement agencies led by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Office of Inspector General (OIG) and the Ohio Attorney General's Office. More than two dozen arrests were made and more than 60 dogs were seized between the two facets of the operation. Federal charges are forthcoming.

Agents descended on a warehouse in an industrial section of Dayton as a dog fight was about to begin. While this was occurring, officers swept into the kennels in neighboring cities. The kennels were secured by police and the animals were seized and moved to temporary housing by HSUS officials.  The combined effort was reportedly the largest of its kind in Ohio.  Dog fighting is felony in Ohio, but the federal law for interstate dog fighting activities is only a misdemeanor – a law which Congress aims to strengthen as soon as this week. 

"Dog fighting is a barbaric and despicable act, and this organized network of animal fighters in southern Ohio was dealt a severe blow by this raid," said Wayne Pacelle, president and CEO of The HSUS. "The Humane Society of the United States commends the law enforcement agencies, local animal control and humane societies for their coordinated efforts on this case."

The HSUS assisted with the investigation culminating in these raids, and provided assistance on the scene with evidence collection and seizure and temporary housing of the dogs from the pit and kennels.  The Oregon Humane Society, Charles County (Md.) Animal Control and Sumter Disaster Animal Response Team (DART) of Florida were among the out of state responders to assist with the operation.

Facts:

• Legislation strengthening the federal animal fighting law could be passed by the U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate and sent to the president's desk as early as this week.  H.R. 137 and S. 261, the Animal Fighting Prohibition Enforcement Act, would make it a felony to transport any animal over state lines for an animal fighting venture.  The bill has 304 cosponsors in the House of Representatives and 36 in the Senate, including Senator Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) and Representatives Steve Chabot (R-1st), Paul Gillmore (R-5th), David Hobson (R-7th), Marcy Kaptur (D-9th), Dennis Kucinich (D-10th), Steven LaTourette (R-14th), Deborah Pryce (R-15th), Ralph Regula (R-16th), Tim Ryan (D-17th), Jean Schmidt (R-2nd), Zack Space (D-18th), Betty Sutton (D-13th), Patrick Tiberi (R-12th), and Charlie Wilson (D-6th).
• Dog fighting is illegal in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. The interstate transport of dogs for fighting purposes is prohibited by the federal Animal Welfare Act.
• Dog fighting is a felony in 48 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.