Multistate dog fighting network taken down

July 9, 1:17 PMKansas City Crime ExaminerJay Adkins

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AP Photo/The St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Emily Rasinski

A multistate dogfighting network has been dismantled by law enforcement authorities cooperating in several states. Animal welfare groups said this could be the "largest dogfighting operation in U.S. history."

Prosecutors in Kansas City, St. Louis, southern Illinois and eastern Texas announced they would pursue federal charges against 26 people, including seven people indicted in Kansas City, MO.

Acting U.S. Attorney Matt Whitworth said his office takes a hard line on "this so-called sport."

Whitworth went on to say "Dogfighting inflicts serious injuries and death upon dogs that are bred and trained to be dangerously aggressive, Like many dog owners, I am appalled that such a cruel and inhumane activity occurs in our state."

The Missouri Highway Patrol began the investigation in 2008 on a tip from the the Humane Society of Missouri and has been investigating the illegal dogfighting activities with the help of the FBI and the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

A large number of dogs were seized in a raid Wednesday. The dogs consisted mostly of pit bull terriers and were turned over to the Humane Society and the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals who are also cooperating with authorities to gather evidence against the defendants. A determination will be made on each animal as to whether they can be rehabilitated and some of the dogs may have to be euthanized depending on their level of health and the dog's ability to recover from the violent lifestyle they have been involved in.

The charges filed are very similar to those filed against NFL star Michael Vick. Vick was sentenced to a 23 month federal prison term, which he served at the Leavenworth Federal Prison combined with home confinement and is scheduled for release from federal custody on July 20, 2009. Although Vick's fate in the NFL remains uncertain, the Minor Football League awaits him with open arms and says they have a place for him to play while the NFL decides what they will do in the matter.