Authorities rescued more than 200 dogs and puppies from a suspected dogfighting ring spanning multiple counties in Northeast Texas, marking one of the largest such operations in state history.
The raid, dubbed “Operation Fight Club,” unfolded on February 10 with the execution of 27 search warrants across properties in Dallas, Ellis, Kaufman, and Smith counties.
Participating agencies included the Dallas Police Department, Texas Department of Public Safety, Dallas Animal Services, the ASPCA, Operation Kindness Humane Society, Garland Animal Services, and the SPCA of Texas.
Investigators found dogs chained with heavy restraints in rundown kennels, many bearing scars indicative of fighting. Evidence seized included weighted collars, medications, treadmills, fighting pits, and stolen firearms, according to police and animal welfare groups.
“There was a tremendous amount of planning and preparation that went into this case and it was a massive multi-agency response,” said Courtney Burns, chief investigator for the SPCA of Texas, NBC5 DFW reported.
Burns described how suspects condition dogs for fights, noting that equipment like treadmills forces animals to run endlessly.
“It’s almost like treating them like an athlete, but they don’t have a choice, you know,” she said.
Veterinarians conducted on-site forensic exams, assessing both the animals and their living conditions.
“We had veterinarians as well as additional vet staff on scene at several of the properties. And that’s so we could perform our forensic exams, which include not only looking at the animal but looking at the environment in which the animal was living,” said Meredith Jones, chief of staff for Operation Kindness Humane Society, per NBC 5.
Most of the dogs were taken to an ASPCA recovery center for medical evaluations, behavioral assessments, and ongoing treatment. Dallas Animal Services, facing capacity strains, appealed for community help.