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AP Photo/The St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Emily Rasinski
In what authorities described as the biggest dogfighting bust in history, more than 30 people were recently arrested in five states. Between 350 to 450 dogs, mostly pit bulls, were seized.
Federal charges were filed by prosecutors in Illinois, Kansas City, Eastern Texas, Nebraska, Iowa and St. Louis.
Acting on a tip from the Humane Society of Missouri, the Missouri Highway Patrol initiated a probe in the spring of 2008. The subsequent undercover investigation involved the Federal Bureau of Investigation ("FBI") and the US Department of Agriculture when the state troopers uncovered links to other dogfighting operations in Nebraska, Iowa, Texas, Oklahoma, Illinois and Arkansas.
Defendants in the St. Louis case operated unlicensed kennels under the names "Cannibal Kennels," "Shake Rattle and Roll Kennel" and "Hard Goodbye Kennel." Robert Hackman, who operated the Shake Rattle and Roll Kennel allegedly sold a pit bull for $1,500 and delivered it with steroids to prepare the dog for fighting. Illegal gambling is alleged to have taken place during the fights, with thousands of dollars changing hands.
Dog fighting is banned in each of the states, and is a felony in 48 of them.
The indictment reveals that under-performing dogs were either electrocuted or shot to death. The bodies were then either burned or thrown in a river. Furthermore, dogs wounded during the fights were denied veterinary care.
Dispelling the myth that dogfighting involves uneducated, poor and/or rural citizens, one of the defendants, 48-year old Cris Bottcher worked as a nurse at a Bethany (MO) hospital. Another, 55-yr old Rick Hihath, was a physical education teacher. In a 1998 letter, Mr. Hihath wrote to a local newspaper, he claimed to have known about 50 "men," some of whom he identified as "close friends," who hosted cockfights. Mr. Hihath called them "good, old-fashioned American people." Also dispelling the perception that only men are involved in dogfighting, at least one of the defendants, Jill Makstaller, is a woman.
Each of the defendants faces up to five years in jail and a $250,000 fine for each charge, a class D felony. Each defendant was charged under 18 U.S.C. 371 (conspiracy), 7 U.S.C. 2156(a) and 18 U.S.C. 2 and 49 (sponsoring or exhibiting an animal in an animal fighting venture).
The seized dogs, all bearing scars or wounds typical of dog fighting, are being cared for by the Humane Society and American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals at undisclosed locations.
Dog fighting involves two dogs, which have been bred, reared and trained to fight. The animals are placed in a circular pit to fight to the death. The fight, which may last up to 4 hours, continues until one of the dogs dies, or neither of the dogs can continue.
Dogs will rarely fight to the death, particularly for no reason, unless trained to do so. In the case of fighting dogs, they are trained with bait animals, which are often puppies and cats. Most of these are either stolen, or acquired through “free pet to good home” ads. Dog handlers create painful stimuli in order to provoke the dog’s aggression prior to the fight, such as by sewing bottle caps into the dog’s skin or burning the dog’s pads.
Dogs which run away from an opponent cause their handlers embarrassment and loss of reputation. As such, handlers will often electrocute the dog as punishment using a car battery or other crude methods. Losers are beaten before being abandoned to die.
Past dog fight raids have resulted in the seizure of more than $500,000 at each fight, and it is not unusual for $20,000-$30,000 to change hands in a single fight. Of course, no winnings are reported to the IRS. Because so much money changes hand, it is an ideal medium for laundering money. Additionally, drug possession, rape, illegal weapon possession, and murders have been associated with animal fighting. Data tends to prove that people who perform acts of cruelty to animals, have a tendency to commit acts of violence against people. In fact, the FBI has recognized the animal cruelty-human violence link since the 1970s as its analysis of serial killers (e.g., Jeffrey Dhamer; Ted Bundy; David Berkowitz; Albert Disalvo, aka the Boston Strangler; Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold, the Columbine high school shooters; etc.) showed that most had tortured and/or killed animals before moving on to people.
According to the Humane Society of the United States, in 2007:
- Approximately 250,000 dogs (not including bait animals) were placed in dog fighting pits nationwide.
- Approximately 40,000 people were involved in organized dogfighting and an additional 100,000 were involved as street-level, or unorganized, fighters.
Comments
The sad thing is that the Humane society and groups like PETA think those dogs need to be euthanize. As Best friends showed The dogs can be rehabilitated
I agree completely, so many animals being tossed away...and and so many being tossed into the pond. Most of them being Pitts, the simple fact is when a dog or a cat comes in and has an aggressive attitude they feel there unable to turn around. But the truth is, any animal can be turned around, it takes time and paitence but it is very much so possible.
the sad thing is that the people involved in this animal torture cannot be punished using car batteries or bottle caps sewn under the skin - they deserve it
Dog fighting is as common as FOOTBALL and apple pie in America, and this bust proves it. I think it's very foolish to "evaluate and rehabilitate" fighting dogs seized from busts-they were exposed to violence, and I already heard of a few reports that children were severely maimed from "rehab dogs". Considering 20 million dogs, cats, kittens and puppies are killed yearly in pounds-NOT relating to dog fighting-costing American tax payers literally $2.5 BILLION dollars a year to kill them, it's foolish to concentrate on pit bulls seized in raids. They should be immediately euthanized. To do otherwise is a total waste of resources. If me or my kids got attacked by a "rehab" dog, I can guarantee I will SUE that animal welfare agency and all persons responsible for releasing a dangerous dog to the community-and I will sue in the millions.
That is redicilous...any dog could attack you! If they have a dog in rehabillitation it is because experts believe they have a fighting chance, and not to mention Pitt Bull's are not the only dogs in rehabillation! They have abused and un-wanted dogs being brought back to sivilization. You cant judge a dog because of his owner, because of the actions that were once bestowed upon them. It is redicilous to think that every fighting dog is worthless because of the surroundings they were in. It to state that they should immediately be euthanized is the most horrible thing I have ever heard. What if someone were treating you with the same hatered you are showing to the pitt-bull breed? And quick question...would you ever say these things about your brother or sister...next door neighbor, if they had gotten into a little trouble, would you assume the worst of them and dissmess them forever. Nevermind seconed chances! You have a real twisted way of thinking!!!!
Best Friends is full of it-I already heard of a few reports of "rehab" pitties attacking children. Why is it that pit bulls have more rights than the safety of children and the elderly. Ever wonder why they call these dogs "pit bulls" for? They were specifically bred for FIGHTING.
I think it's very sad we put the welfare of a fighting dog above the safety of children and the elderly-children and elderly safety don't count-only these pit bulls, these disgusting fighting dogs. It's true!
Luke-It's very sad that you would call the victims of such a horrible crime, disgusting fighting dogs. What is really disgusting is that these dogs were forced to fight for their lives and that people like you would turn around be offended that people want to give them a chance at a better life. I think that given their history and trauma we have to carefully consider their quality of life as well as their temperament when considering if they are adoptable. The groups involved in working with the dogs are trying to help these dogs are well as the reputation of the pitbull terrier. It's in nobody's interest to adopt out an unstable dog. Many fighting dogs have excellent temperaments with people. Some of the Michael Vick dogs are now working as certified therapy dogs. They lived very tough lives and still found the strength to trust again and are now giving back to the communities they live in. I would like to see more convicted dog fighters be held financially accountable.
Mr. Ruiz, I am just starting out at examiner.com, in the Albuquerque True Crime examiner column. I just mentioned your superb article on New Mexico dog fighting. I'm having some computer difficulties, so I wasn't able to post a link. Please check it out.
Keep writing. We are reading. And if everyone would stop saying it's sad we value the lives of dogs over people . . . it's not true. We value them, period. There are plenty of groups working for humans in need. Don't criticize good people for helping innocent animals. Gandhi said it best: "You can judge a society by how it treats its animals."
I participated in dogfighting for 18 years. I've met or at least spoken with just about every major player in the game during those years (1979-1997). I have yet to meet anyone who uses bait animals ( puppies, cats, pets etc.) to train fighting dogs, or even condone or feel there is any benefit in it. It would be like training a pro fighter with untrained individuals off the street.
sounds like this scum is going to get off with just probation what a justice system
It is unspeakable what the people who fight dogs do..still do! Never in my life have I crossed paths with someone so shady, so disrespectful so un-careing for the animals in this world. The tourture that fighting animals have experienced is terrible, you people need harsher punishment...
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