CABARRUS COUNTY, N.C. — A Concord man has been sentenced to more than six years in prison for another dogfighting ring after officials rescued 15 dogs in a 2018 animal cruelty case.
Deputies said in the 2018 case, the dogs were abused in dogfighting rings until they were found in a wooded area off Epworth Street in Concord.
The dogs were chained to a brutal life of fighting. They're safe now but still scarred.
"There were definitely some signs of neglect. Several of them were underweight and a few of them did have outwardly injuries, scratches, bruises, some bumps," described Julie Schwall, the supervisor over Cabarrus County's animal shelter.
She said the dogs were rescued June 7, 2018.
When Channel 9 visited the dogs June 22 of that year, our camera crew noticed a huge improvement. Many of the dogs greeted our camera with wagging tails.
Investigators gave Channel 9 an exclusive first look at the dogs’ recovery on June 22 because the case against the man accused of abusing the dogs was heard by a grand jury on June 25, 2018.
"I think it was very cruel," said neighbor Edward Starnes.
Deputies said tips from worried neighbors, such as Starnes, helped them arrest the then-22-year-old Delontay Moore. Deputies said he kept the 15 dogs chained on the abandoned property.
“It makes me feel down, horrible, burdened when someone lets animals fight,” Starnes said.
While the dogs suffered, their spirits were never broken, but they were learning to trust again.
“They’re just really nice dogs. They get treats all the time. They’re being spoiled while they’re here,” Schwall said with a smile.
In 2018, Channel 9 learned Moore, now 26, had a long criminal record but had never been charged with animal cruelty before.
On Wednesday, The Department of Justice said Moore had been sentenced to 75 months, or more than six years in prison for conspiracy to commit dog fighting offenses and being a felon in possession of a firearm.
According to court documents, Moore sponsored and exhibited a dog in a dog fight in Dec. 2019 after working with others to prepare and train the dog for the fight. The dog lost and died of injuries it suffered during the fight.
In February, agents seized 25 dogs from Moore, many of which showed the types of scars that are observed in dogs that are used in dog fights. The dogs also showed signs of gross neglect including infections where their ears had been cropped, inflamed or infected wounds and dehydration.
On the day of the seizure, three dogs required emergency treatment, including treatment for a fractured leg with exposed bone.
Moore’s weapon charge came after someone saw him carry an AR-15 assault rifle behind his house and stash it under a tarp. Moore was already a convicted felon at that time.
“Dog fighting is not only inhumane and brutal, but also a federal crime,” said Assistant Attorney General Todd Kim of the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division. “Shutting down this criminal industry and holding accountable those who engage in it is part of our ongoing mission.”
“This case reveals the cruel truth of dog fighting: it brutalizes and exploits animals for the sake of trivial human entertainment,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Sandra J. Hairston for the Middle District of North Carolina. “We thank the law enforcement agents who investigated the case. Through their efforts, the defendant will serve a federal prison sentence for participating in this barbarous activity and for illegal possession of a firearm.”
“The intentional infliction of pain and suffering on animals for sport is unfathomable,” said Special Agent in Charge Jason Williams of the U.S. Department of Agriculture-Office of Inspector General. “We appreciate the commitment of our law enforcement partners in pursuing these individuals who choose to participate in this heinous pastime while also committing other serious offenses in our communities.”
(WATCH BELOW: Deputies find meth, guns while removing 80 dogs, 2 monkeys from York home)
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