The HSUS estimates that more than 40,000 people participate in organized dogfighting in the U.S., and The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) states that [dogfighting[ continues to occur in every part of the country and in every type of community.. The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals helped in the recovery of the dogs, who were found in awful living conditions in basements, garages and sheds. " ( source) When the greedy get greedier, operations expand. Learn about careers at Cox Media Group. Shelley Johnson aka Gold Mouth, 40, of Macon, Georgia, was sentenced to 37 months in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release and a . Feds Break Up Massive South Carolina Dogfighting Ring "Were seizing 21 dogs -- all associated with dog fighting -- dog fighting paraphernalia, which is anything to include up to slat mills, treadmills, break sticks, drugs -- anything associated with conditioning dogs to fight, "said Andy Seltz, of the Michigan Humane Society. 1:08 A Gadsden County man charged with heading a north Florida drug trafficking and dog-fighting ring was sentenced to 30 years in federal prison Friday. "Were seizing 21 dogs all associated with dog-fighting dog-fighting paraphernalia, which is anything to include up to slat mills, treadmills, break sticks, drugs anything associated with conditioning dogs to fight," Humane Society's Andy Seltz said to WDIV. The investigation began 18 months ago when the Drug Enforcement Administration launched a probe into drug trafficking in the area. And we're estimating that this operation will cost a little over $74,000 for their medical and rehabilitation before they can be rehomed.". Police seize pit bulls in dog-fighting bustSpotted from hot-air balloon. IE 11 is not supported. Authorities say the eight suspects participated in a large-scale illegal dogfighting ring that operated in northern Florida from 2014 through 2019. The agents recovered "a couple more dogs" and documented a bloody fighting pit, but they failed to apprehend any additional suspects. Dogfighting is a felony in all 50 states. The footage shot by a confidential government informant shows two pit bulls locked in a fight to the death as a group of men look on in a wooded location near Tallahassee. Federal law enforcement officials executed 11 search warrants in Middle Georgia Wednesday in a massive dog fighting investigation. Much of the investigation stems from tips from neighbors in the area, officials said. Using wiretaps, federal agents intercepted communications about dogfighting, prompting them to expand the investigation. The dog fighting operation spanned from Long Island, New York City, Connecticut and Massachusetts, and included breeding, training and illegal fighting of pit bulls, an investigation by. A third man, who kept the dogs at his home for $60 a month, is charged with being a felon in possession of an un-spayed or un-neutered dog. Authorities and animal welfare organizations in the Gulf Coast region of the U.S recovered an unbelievable 367 dogs, mostly American Pit Bull Terriers, in a multistate dogfighting bust last. The locations in Suffolk County were Shirley, Mastic, Bay Shore, Wyandanch, Hampton Bays and Amityville. The man arrested at the home was not identified, but is facing felony charges, according to WJBK-TV(Channel 2). Aliza Nadi is an investigative producer for NBC News. 1. Red Rover, an organization dedicated to emergency animal care, is assisting the HSUS with caring for 45 dogs. "We became more aware that dogfighting was a significant side enterprise, so to speak, that this group was involved with," Mountin said.