Donald Williams, 49, of Old Adams Station Road in Utica, Miss. was arrested Wednesday afternoon and charged with 26 counts of misdemeanor animal cruelty and one felony count of dog fighting. Hinds County Sheriff's Department described the 25 seized dogs as extremely dangerous and aggressive.
According to the clarion ledger.com, Hinds County Sheriff's Department spokesperson, Othor Cain stated the dog fighting training was more "advanced" than the one by Michael Vick. Authorities said the dogs were tied to heavy chains with treadmills, jaw shanks, and steroids as part of their training regimen. The animals were being trained similar to police dogs, however these dogs were being trained to fight and kill. Police suspect the dogs were being sold throughout the Southeast.
The dogs had to be tranquilized to be moved because they were trying to escape by chewing through the plastic transport crates. A cat was also found on the scene which was being used as bait for the dogs making the dogs even more aggressive.
When one dog managed to escape, he attacked an older female dog critically injuring the dog so badly she had to be euthanized.
News station wapt.com's interview with the Mississippi Animal Rescue League's representative Debra Boswell echoed the feelings of everyone working on the case and the terrible tragic ending most likely ending with euthanasia for these fighting dogs.
"(It makes me) absolutely sick to my stomach, as it does everybody working on this case," she said. "That a human being could take an innocent animal and do this to it."
Authorities and the Mississippi Animal Rescue League feel the dogs cannot be rehabilitated and are waiting for a court order to euthanize them.
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