Unveiling the Dark Underbelly: The Thriving Underground Realm of Dog Fighting
Unveiling the dark world of dog fighting: Delve into the underground realm of this brutal blood sport where federal agents embark on a dangerous mission to rescue innocent victims in rural South Carolina
One dark, rainy morning this autumn in rural South Carolina, a group of federal agents clad in tactical gear silently gathered for a mission that encompassed both raid and rescue. The potential outcomes were grave: The agents were concerned that the victims may be severely malnourished, dehydrated, and possibly restrained. It was likely that many of them were injured, and some may have already perished.
Nearly 40 pit bulls, who were victims of abuse, were fortunately saved. This kind of situation is common for experienced agents who work in the secretive world of dog fighting. The illegal blood sport gained widespread attention in 2007 when NFL star Michael Vick admitted to a federal charge linked to dog fighting. Although the spotlight has dimmed since then, the issue continues to exist.
According to a CNN investigation, federal authorities seized more dogs last year through civil forfeitures than in any other year since Vick's indictment. Court records and interviews also shed light on how dog fighting has changed in the age of the internet, with dog owners using encrypted messaging apps to exchange training tips and set up fights. A single match could involve the exchange of hundreds of thousands of dollars, and breeders can profit from the sale of semen or puppies.
Although brutal dog fights have taken place in various cities and towns across the US, records indicate that federal authorities are confiscating large numbers of animals in the southeastern US, particularly in South Carolina. This is largely due to the fact that the US Attorney's office in South Carolina has two prosecutors dedicated to these cases.
Elle Klein, an attorney, vividly remembers her first encounter with the aftermath of a dog fighting bust. She came across a injured black dog tied to a tree, bleeding and with flesh hanging from his ears. As she approached, the dog's tail began to wag.
"That moment really ignited something in me," said Klein, who has rescued countless animals from suspected fighting rings in her state. "It made me angry to see people participating in this cruel culture, betting on it, spectating, and actively contributing to it."
Assistant United States Attorney for the District of South Carolina Elle Klein poses for a portrait in Orangeburg, South Carolina, on September 21, 2023.
Austin Steele/CNN
The Michael Vick case
For centuries, dog fighting has been a known practice, but it wasn't until 2007 that the sport gained widespread attention in America. In April of that year, state agents raided a rural Virginia home on suspicions that Michael Vick, a top NFL player, was running a dog fighting ring on the property. The raid led to the rescue of numerous injured and abused dogs that were being bred for fighting. Court records revealed that Vick had been financing the enterprise since he signed his first NFL contract in 2001, and he and his co-defendants ultimately pleaded guilty to felony charges related to their involvement in dog fighting at the Virginia ranch.
In May 2007, George W. Bush signed a law making dog fighting a federal felony. In consequence, Michael Vick spent nearly two years in federal prison. After serving his sentence, Vick returned to the NFL and eventually signed a $100 million contract. Currently, he works as an analyst for Fox Sports.
Vick told reporters in 2007 that he accepted full responsibility for his actions. He asserted that he would not blame anyone else and declined CNN's request for an interview on the topic of dog fighting.
A brand-new dog fighting world
The aftermath of the Vicks case initially caused a stir among the public and captured the attention of the federal authorities, resulting in a significant impact on the underground blood sport. The implementation of Bush's new law enabled law enforcement to crack down on large-scale dog-fighting operations, culminating in a groundbreaking raid in the Midwest in 2009 that led to the rescue of hundreds of dogs. However, once these high-profile cases faded from public attention, dog fighters resumed their activities, operating with even greater secrecy.
Years ago, individuals involved in organized dog fighting in the US, estimated to be around 40,000 people, relied on word-of-mouth or underground magazines to learn about recent matches, training techniques, and medical care for fighting animals.
SLED officers enter a home following a law enforcement raid related to dog fighting in Orangeburg, South Carolina, on September 21, 2023.
Austin Steele/CNN
The internet has revolutionized the way dog fighters acquire knowledge. With just a few Google searches, an enterprising dog owner can learn how to use a slat mill, a specialized treadmill for dogs, to condition their animal. YouTube provides tutorials on how to use a flirt pole, a stick with a bungee cord, to improve endurance for dogfighting. Additionally, those interested in breeding pit bulls can gain insights on bloodlines from Reddit users.
Furthermore, the internet has transformed how dog fighters communicate. They frequently share their dogs' weight and gender in private social media groups or through encrypted messaging apps to arrange fights.
In a 2022 indictment, it was revealed that a dog fighter from Virginia utilized Facebook to organize matches for his dog Durantula, referring to his recent fight as "another DOA" and a "15-minute chest & gut kill."
Similarly, a Michigan-based dog fighter, indicted in 2018, was found to have used WhatsApp to distribute videos of animal fights, with one featuring "Barracuda" described as a "straight finisher throat and kidneys!!!"
Social media has transformed the way people watch sporting events. "In the past, if you wanted to see a dog fight, you had to attend in person," explained Virginia Maxwell, a professor at the University of New Haven specializing in animal crime investigation. "But now, they are often livestreamed."
Dog fights often occur in makeshift arenas such as backyards or basements, with the handler standing close by to keep a watchful eye on the match. The fights can go on until one or both of the dogs are unable to continue, or worse. Handlers may intervene by throwing in the towel to spare a dog from further harm. Some dogs achieve a winning streak of one or two fights, earning them the title of "Champions," while those with an impressive track record of five wins are known as "Grand Champions."
In a 2017 incident involving a Virginia dog fighter, a pit bull named "Eulogy" participated in a fight that lasted nearly 2 hours, as documented in court records. The dog fighter even shared a detailed "play-by-play" of the brutal match on Facebook. Prosecutors have revealed how fighters utilized private groups on Telegram to orchestrate fights and discuss prize money, with one dog reportedly winning $50,000 in a single match.
Dog fighting for me is something totally different
Its been a constant game of cat and mouse between law enforcement and dog fighters over the years. And recently, federal interest in the blood sport has spiked.
In the past year, federal authorities confiscated approximately 400 dogs from suspected dog-fighting rings, marking the highest number since at least 2007, as reported by CNN's analysis of federal civil forfeitures. Notably, this figure excludes dogs that were voluntarily surrendered or seized by local or state officials. This surge in seizures follows a period of infrequent confiscations.
Among the offices making significant contributions to this rise, the US Attorney's office in South Carolina stands out, with prosecutors Elle Klein and Jane Taylor playing pivotal roles in individually rescuing hundreds of dogs.
Taylor, the head of the criminal division, had been dedicated to dismantling drug operations in South Carolina since the 1990s. In the course of investigating a drug trafficking case, she unexpectedly intercepted a wiretapped conversation about organized dog fighting.
An officer checks his radio following a law enforcement raid related to dog fighting in Orangeburg, South Carolina, on September 21, 2023.
Austin Steele/CNN
Criminal Division Chief of the US Attorney's Office District of South Carolina Jane Taylor poses for a portrait in Prosperity, South Carolina, on September 21, 2023.
According to Austin Steele/CNN, Taylor, a prosecutor, shared that while he prosecutes many drug dealers, he believes that not all of them are bad people. However, he holds a different view on dog fighting.
Court records reveal the disturbing nature of the sport, with details of blood stains, a "rape rack," and a device used for electrocution found in the residence of a Pentagon official indicted in October. Authorities allege that the official fought dogs and used cruel devices for breeding and after losing fights. Moorefield pleaded not guilty, and his attorney did not respond to requests for comment.
In 2012, a prosecutor who tried a New York City building superintendent had suspicions that he electrocuted losing dogs and disposed of their bodies with the morning trash. The superintendent kept nearly 50 dogs in wooden crates at the building where he worked. In a separate Virginia case, dog fighters shared methods of killing dogs that lost fights, with one defendant claiming to have "loved" killing dogs.
{{img_placeholder_4}}
In 2012, approximately 50 dogs were discovered in the basement of a New York building supervisor, where many of them were found living in unsanitary conditions in crates and exhibiting signs of being used for dog fighting.
ASPCA
Taylor started tackling the issue while still working on prosecuting narcotics crimes. Her major breakthrough came when she and Klein led a raid on a dog fighting event named the Carolina Classic last year.
Men from all over the East Coast traveled to a secluded area in rural South Carolina for the gathering, bringing along with them over twelve dogs. The animals were either tied up or kept in kennels spread out across the property, creating a cacophony of howls and barks before they were brought into the backyard pit. The pit itself was a square approximately 8 feet by 8 feet in size, enclosed by wooden panels to contain the dogs.
Attendees of the event arrived equipped with a variety of tools, including guns, ammunition, a spiked club, a break stick used to force a dog to open its jaws once a fight is over, and a trophy.
Unbeknownst to them, one of their fellow participants was actually working as an informant for the government. This provided law enforcement with valuable insider information about the operation. When the altercation began, law enforcement agents quickly intervened, causing the men to scatter on foot while leaving behind two dogs engaged in a fight.
That weekend, over 300 dogs were confiscated and more than 20 individuals were arrested, marking the biggest bust in the state's history.
But Taylor and Klein continued their efforts. In February, they were part of a case where 23 dogs, left outside in the cold with no food or water, were rescued. Additionally, the police found a bag containing two deceased dogs, reportedly frozen to death by their owner.
In September, Klein and Taylor carried out their largest raid yet, executing 10 search warrants in a single day to seize approximately 120 dogs from suspected fighting rings across the state. "It's terrible," Taylor commented, shaking her head as she described the scene at a rural South Carolina property where nearly 40 dogs were living in squalid conditions, chained up and exposed to the elements, with visible scars on their heads, necks, and legs.
Taylor and Klein are driven by their passion for animals, particularly in their efforts to combat organized dog fighting. This illegal activity often involves sophisticated training methods and the maintenance of a large number of dogs, and frequently crosses state lines, violating laws against animal abuse and gambling.
The lucrative nature of dog fighting is evident in the high entrance fees for handlers and the substantial wagers placed by spectators. Winning dogs can also bring their owners additional income through breeding and the sale of puppies.
"It is huge business," said Maxwell, the professor who specializes in animal crime investigations. "Its very, very lucrative for them."
{{img_placeholder_5}}
A dog with severe scarring was one of 22 pit bulls seized from a South Carolina property in 2022.
United States District Court of South Carolina
{{img_placeholder_6}}
Animal remains were discovered on a suspected dog fighter's property in 2022.
The money from dog fighting extends beyond just the dog owners. It involves breeders selling to dog fighters, transporters driving the animals out of state for fights, and promoters charging entry fees.
"It goes beyond just the individual involved in the dog fighting," Klein stated. "In my view, even profiting one dollar from this is unacceptable."
Many of the fighters are also linked to other criminal activities. Federal authorities uncovered Eric Dean Smith's dog fighting ring in the mid-2010s while investigating him for selling cocaine and being a member of the Bloods street gang. Wiretaps revealed that Smith was making thousands of dollars from selling cocaine every week. He was also heard discussing plans to sell a dog for $2,000. During a raid on Smith's property, federal agents found drugs, guns, large amounts of cash, and around 90 dogs.
Experts have stated that this practice goes beyond race and class. In addition to veterinarians, educators and high school sports coaches have also faced charges for these crimes.
"It's happening across the board," states Robert Misseri, the director of the animal welfare organization Guardians of Rescue. "It's a much bigger issue than most people realize."
The devastating toll of the blood sport
The grassy field in New Jersey was the scene of a playful scuffle between a spirited black and white pit bull and a feisty sato named Ally. Their tails wagged furiously as they darted around, playfully snapping at the air instead of each other. There was no referee in sight to declare a winner in this lively encounter.
After being rescued from a dogfighting ring on Long Island, Wish the pit bull underwent a long journey from the violence of the fighting ring to a peaceful life filled with play and love. Wish was one of almost 90 dogs rescued in 2021 and received care at two recovery centers operated by the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA). The ASPCA uses one facility for "cruelty recovery" and another for behavioral rehabilitation. Thankfully, Wish was adopted by a couple in New Jersey who already had two dogs, and now he enjoys a comfortable and loving home. His story stands as a powerful contrast to the suffering that many fighting dogs endure.
{{img_placeholder_7}}
Wish plays with his owner outside his home in New Jersey.
Isabelle Chapman, of CNN, reported that there are dogs who spend their whole lives outside, restricted by a heavy chain attached to a car axle that is bolted to the ground or kept in cages, isolated from other dogs. Those involved in dog fighting are afraid that if the dogs are able to reach each other, they will engage in fights.
A Florida dog fighter had to euthanize a dog after one of the dogs broke her back and paralyzed her back legs in a "yard accident," as described in a civil complaint.
When federal agents seize the dogs, they are often found with swollen faces, mangled ears, and are frequently malnourished or dehydrated.
Jessica Aber, a US Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, who has handled animal crime cases, described it as simply animal cruelty. She emphasized the inhumane breeding, training, and living conditions for the dogs involved in illegal fights. She strongly denounced the brutal and barbaric nature of this activity and expressed that it should not be tolerated in our society.
According to experts, while some of these dogs are too aggressive to be rehabilitated, there are others, such as Wish, who can be successfully adopted.
Dr. Martha Smith-Blackmore often witnesses the tragic impact of the blood sport firsthand. Three days prior to conducting a post-mortem examination on a severely injured dog, law enforcement delivers the frozen animal to her animal hospital in a black cadaver bag. To secure the evidence, she places the dog, along with the bag, in a blue kiddie pool on an IKEA table in her office.
After the dog thawed, she wheeled the gurney down several floors to her lab. As she examined the dog, she spoke to it.
"I'll assure them that you're fine. This is your opportunity to communicate with me. You're going to tell me what occurred," Smith-Blackmore stated.
Smith-Blackmore meticulously captures hundreds of images of her subjects, focusing on their skin, brain, and thorax, while carefully analyzing toxicology results. Evidence of dog fighting, such as testosterone, cocaine, or methamphetamine, is closely scrutinized, along with deep puncture wounds on the underbelly and armpits. The front legs of fighting dogs often bear lacerations from opponents' teeth, sometimes reaching the bone.
Upon completion, she compiles her findings into a detailed report, ultimately aiming to convey the dog's story effectively in court.
Smith-Blackmore emphasized the importance of people understanding the suffering that the animal experienced, beyond just knowing about its wounds. CNN's Isabel Rosales, Casey Tolan, Scott Bronstein, Jade Gordon, Yahya Abou-Ghazala, and Scott Glover all contributed to this report.
