Over 100 Pit Bulls are sleeping more soundly tonight after being rescued from a Georgia home. Authorities discovered the dogs at the home of Vincent Lemark Burrell, a 55-year-old man who was arrested for allegedly breeding the pups and training them to fight.
A Terrifying Scene
The arrest came on Nov. 8 at the end of a long investigation into a “massive dog fighting operation,” according to a news release by the Paulding County sheriff’s office. Burrell’s home, which is located about 30 miles outside of Atlanta, was rife with unvaccinated Pit Bulls who had been living in severe neglect and under abusive conditions. Dogs were left outdoors for days at a time, tied with logging chains and thick collars to metal stumps in the ground or trees. Many of the dogs were emaciated while others were aggressive.
Inside, authorities found more Pit Bulls in the basement, where the presence of urine and feces was so strong that officers had to wear protective equipment.
“Conditions where dogs were being housed, both inside and on the exterior of this property, were not fit for humans, much less dogs,” the sheriff’s office said in a statement. “Dogs were tied to trees, tied to metal stobs in the ground, and were kept without being properly hydrated and fed. Many of these dogs were basically left in the elements with little to no shelter for days on end. Furthermore, these dogs were not being seen on a regular basis or vaccinated by a veterinarian.”
All of the dogs were transferred to rescue facilities.
Crime and Punishment
Burrell was incarcerated at the Paulding County Jail and is being held without bond. Authorities have obtained several search warrants and are still combing through his home for evidence of dog fighting and animal abuse. All in all, Burrell will likely be charged with over 100 counts of cruelty to animals and dog fighting.
Dog fighting, which involves breeding and conditioning canines to fight for entertainment purposes, is a felony across all states in the U.S. Even possessing a dog for the purpose of fighting is a felony offense in many states, including Georgia. It’s safe to say Burrell will be charged to the full extent the law allows.
“I am proud of the teamwork that has been exhibited in this case and I am thankful that these dogs are safe now,” Paulding County Sheriff Gary Gulledge said in a statement. “The dark and sinister world of dog fighting is a despicable culture that has no place in our world.”
