US man sentenced to 475 years for dog fighting
Authorities discovered over 100 dogs on the defendant’s property, along with numerous items associated with dog fighting including a treadmill designed for dogs and a breeding stand.
The dog, named Baby Shark, was one of the victims of the dog fighting ring and is pictured here alongside a legal representative who won the case. Credit: Paulding District Attorney's Office
A US man has been sentenced to serve 475 years in prison for his role in a dog fighting operation.
Vincent Lemark Burrell, of Georgia, was found guilty of 93 counts of Dog Fighting and 10 counts of Cruelty to Animals at a four-day-long jury trial last week.
An investigation into the criminal initially began after authorities were given a tip off from an Amazon driver who had seen multiple dogs tied up to fence posts on heavy chains.
Officers from the Paulding County Sheriff’s Office then visited Burrell’s property during November 2022, and discovered over 107 dogs, most of whom were tied to heavy logs. Most dogs were either underweight or very underweight, and none had access to food or water.
The search also uncovered numerous items related to dog fighting, including a live chicken being used to entice the dogs, a treadmill designed for dogs, a breeding stand, and a break stick - an instrument used to open the jaws of a dog during a fight.
There were also documents linking Burrell’s dogs to other known dog fighters, along with contracts for the sale of specific dogs found on the property.
The dog, named Baby Shark, was one of the victims of the dog fighting ring and is pictured here alongside legal representatives who won the case. Credit: Paulding District Attorney's Office
The suspect was arrested on the same day as teh search, and will now begin serving his 475 years jail time following his sentencing last week.
“The average person doesn’t realize how prevalent dog fighting still is,” Chief Marshal Trevor Hess, who was part of the investigation into Burrell, said in a release posted by the Paulding District Attorney’s Office.
“But the more we talk about this issue and educate the public, the more people will understand that dogs aren’t ‘just’ property, and you cannot treat them in this way”, added Hess.
Dog fighting in the US
Authorities and animal welfare groups say that dog fighting is widespread across the country and much more common than people think.
It is estimated that there are tens of thousands of individuals forcing hundreds of thousands of dogs to train, fight, and suffer every year in the US, according to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA).
A dog during a dogfighting rescue operation conducted by the ASPCA last year. Credit: ASPCA
Dog fighting rings can involve a network with hundreds of dogs. The animals are often kept in horrific conditions, given steroids and other drugs, and forced into physical training that can include treadmills and weighted collars. Dogs will often be made to fight until one of the animals is killed.
The blood sport continues to take place across the country despite dog fighting being a felony in all 50 states.
However, increased law enforcement and pursuing jail time for offenders is helping to tackle the practice.
“By prosecuting dog fighters, we bring this underground world to light, ensure that these dogs receive the justice they deserve, and work toward someday completely eradicating this crime”, explains Prosecutor Jessica K. Rock, Prosecuting Attorneys’ Council of Georgia.
Another particularly high-profile case recently saw a former Pentagon official plead guilty for leading a dogfighting network in Maryland for over 20 years. Frederick Douglass Moorfield Jr., admitted to training dogs for fighting, gambling on staged battles between dogs, and selling seasoned fighting dogs to others in the dogfighting network. He was sentenced to 18 months in federal prison and a $20,000 fine.
Read more: over 100 dogs rescued from suspected dog fighting ring in Florida.
We Have A Favor To Ask…
Species Unite amplifies well-researched solutions to some of the most abusive animal industries operating today.
At this crucial moment, with worldwide momentum for change building, it’s vital we share these animal-free solutions with the world - and we need your help.
We’re a nonprofit, and so to keep sharing these solutions, we’re relying on you - with your support, we can continue our essential work in growing a powerful community of animal advocates this year.
