Arrest Made In Illegal Dog Fighting Ring

A three-year investigation initiated 13 search warrants throughout Alabama, Mississippi, Georgia, and Texas that were executed Friday, August 23, 2013. Ten suspects were arrested and indicted on felony dog fighting charges.  Federal and local officials also seized firearms and drugs, as well as more than $500,000 in cash from dog fighting gambling activities that took place over the course of the investigation.  It is believed to be the second-largest dog fighting raid in U.S. history.

The Echols County Sheriff's Office assisted by the Georgia Bureau of Investigations, Department of Natural Resources and the Clinch County Sheriff’s Office conducted a search warrant at 614 Copeland Road in the early morning hours of Friday, August 23, residence of Raymond Lee Hendrix, Jr., 36 and Tara Hunt, 39, for evidence of dog fighting.  A search of the residence revealed kennels containing 9 pit bull dogs in various states of condition, some with noticeable scarring about the head and legs from apparent fighting.  Also seized from the residence was training equipment used in conditioning the dogs for upcoming fights.  The Humane Society of the United States responded to the scene and took possession of the pit bull dogs and also aided in the investigation.  Hendrix was arrested and charged with dog fighting and possession of tools for commission of a crime.  Hunt was arrested and charged with party to a crime (dog fighting).  Both were transported to Lowndes County Jail.