14 dogs rescued from alleged dogfighting operation in Gaston County

GASTON COUNTY, N.C. — Fourteen dogs have been rescued from an alleged dogfighting operation in Gaston County, according to the Gaston County Police Department.

The Gaston County Animal Care and Enforcement Unit, with assistance from the Humane Society of the United States, served a search warrant on a home along East Sixth Avenue at approximately 6:30 a.m. Wednesday.

“We received information several weeks ago about a possible dog fighting ring in this area or dog fighting situation,” Captain Billy Downey said.

At the home, dogs were found living in makeshift, hazardous enclosures throughout the property.

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14 dogs rescued from alleged dogfighting operation in Gaston County

Police said the dogs had suspected injuries from dog fighting and some dogfighting paraphernalia was found throughout the property. They did not specify what kind of items were found.

Veterinarians said they found dental issues, skin conditions, missing hair, and puncture wounds on some of the dogs.

“It’s always haunting … seeing what the dogs have had to endure and thinking about how they’ve suffered,” said Senior Director of the Humane Society of the United States Animal Rescue Team Jessica Johnson. “No animal deserves to suffer the way these dogs have, but this is the last day they will have to live like this.”

The Gaston County Police Department said it called the Humane Society after concerns about the welfare of animals on the property were raised. The Humane Society transported the rescued animals to an undisclosed location where they will continue to receive veterinary exams and much-needed treatment.

“The Gaston County police are grateful for the assistance and partnership with the HSUS in our ongoing commitment to ending this type of animal cruelty,” Captain Kyle Yancey said.

Neighbors told Channel 9 that they woke to authorities making moves next door.

“First they were knocking. Then I heard them hit the door, kick the door down and they all went in,” neighbor Quintonio Barnette said.

Barnette said he knew there were a lot of dogs at home but he never saw any fighting.

“It surprised me! I didn’t expect nothing like that. I mean I hear the dogs but, I didn’t expect anything like that,” Barnette explained.

Police said dogfighting is currently a Class-H felony in North Carolina, however, more tools are needed to crack down on this violent criminal industry.

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