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Last updated 10:08 am CT February 09, 2010.
Officials Uncover Dog Fighting Ring
For the last two weeks, the Sheriff's department has gotten calls about dead pit bulls being thrown off a bridge there. Today authorities found the carcasses of eleven dogs.
Police say all of them had been shot in the head. Three of them showed signs they'd been used in dog fighting.
The discovery comes one day after Graves County police seized dozens of pit-bulls suspected of being used in dog fighting. McCracken County Sheriff John Hayden says the timing of the latest incident and the proximity makes it appear that there is a connection between the two.
Last night authorities in Graves county seized 80 dogs from two different sites. Investigators say all the dogs displayed signs of fighting.
Those dogs are now being cared for by workers from a local shelter. Folks who rescued the dogs say
they show obvious signs of animal cruelty and fighting.
Some had their teeth filed down so that they could not defend themselves against other dogs and were only used for bait. Others show clear scars or are missing eyes and one even had an untreated tumor.
Those who rescued the dogs say this is the worst animal cruelty they've ever seen.
Joseph Lacewell rescued the dogs and was furious about what he saw.
"It makes you sick to know that somebody could actually do this to a dog. I mean why? You can see these dogs are sweet dogs even after all they've been through. They'll lick you in the face, they just want attention. And to know that someone would do that to a dog that can't defend itself just makes you sick."
Authorities have arrested 29-year-old Joanal Deberry of Hickory, Kentucky on first degree animal
cruelty charges. Authorities are still investigating any connection between the two incidents.
The Humane Society is offering a reward on an arrest and conviction for animal cruelty and dog fighting.
Rescue groups have been called in from across the midwest They will be taking the dogs and trying to find them all safe homes.
If you'd like more information on the reward or on the Mayfield animal shelter where the dogs have been rescued please click the link below or contact Eleven Bully Rescue listed below.
elevenelevenrescue@yahoo.com
By: Ryan Kruger
rkruger@wsiltv.com
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