Two Animal Fighting Rings Busted This Week

December 12, 2008 | Pet Pulse Staff Reports

This week marked the end of two major fighting rings, for both dogs and birds, in North Carolina and California. (Pet Pulse Photo Courtesy of the Humane Society of the United States)

NEW YORK -- Wednesday brought two investigative conclusions for the Humane Society of the United States, (View HSUS page on Zootoo) as well as the liberation of 127 dogs and nearly 2,000 birds.

The two successful raids of dogfighting and cockfighting operations in McGrady, N.C., and Humboldt County, Calif., respectively, were announced in HSUS press releases yesterday.

The HSUS has conducted as many as three raids in a single day, but this week's progress certainly impacts the organization's "active and engaged effort to root out animal fighting," John Goodwin, manager of animal-fighting issues for the HSUS, told Pet Pulse.

The dogfighting ring bust involved the seizure of 127 Pit Bulls -- 62 adults and 65 puppies. The dogs appeared in relatively good health, according to media reports, and were housed in wire kennel enclosures.

Wilkes County Sheriff's Office, Wilkes County Animal Control agency and the HSUS were all involved with the raid, which marks the culmination of a four year investigation.

The site was dubbed one of the nation's largest breeding operations for fighting dogs by the HSUS, according to The Winston-Salem Journal.

Edward Faron, 61, owner of Wildside Kennels, was arrested, alongside his son, Donni Casanova, and Amanda Lunsford, 25.

Faron is an established figure in dogfighting circuits, as he has been previously convicted for dogfighting.

"This is a man who is nationally known," said John Goodwin, manager of animal-fighting issues for the HSUS. "We recognize him as one of the top 10 breeders of fighting dogs in the United States."

Faron is also the co-author of "The Complete Gamedog -- A Guide to Breeding and Raising the American Pit Bull Terrier," in which he explains how to breed and raise dogs used for fighting. Some of the details in the book, Goodwin said, are "just brutal. Horrific."

Faron, Casanova and Lunsford were all charged with felony counts of dogfighting and baiting, but were released after each posting $2,500 bonds.

The charges could lead to a prison sentence of four to 10 months.

"The raid of this suspected dogfighting operation is the culmination of an extensive investigation -- and dogfighters everywhere should worry that they could be next," said Chris Schindler, deputy manager of the HSUS' animal fighting law enforcement, in the release.

Illegal cockfighting rings could also take a hit from the HSUS' recent seizure of 1,400 game cocks and 500 game fowl on a Humboldt County, Calif., property, which Goodwin labeled a "gigantic" operation.

While no arrests have been made, officers appeared optimistic about the raid's significance.

"Today's raid is an important step towards eradicating this cruel, criminal activity in California," said Eric Sakach, director of the HSUS' West Coast regional office, in a different release, also issued Wednesday.

Veterinarians are now examining the roosters and hens for scars, drugs and other signs of fighting. Animal control officers also uncovered steroids, trophies and 72 blades, which could have been attached to roosters' legs during fights.

While authorities did not find evidence that cockfights actually took place on the property, one police officer said the property owners were likely involved with outside rings.

"I know of places where people have fought them in downtown Eureka," Humboldt County Sheriff's Deputy Todd Fulton told The Times-Standard.

The raid was the result of a collaborative effort from the San Cruz County Animal Services, California Department of Justice, United States Marshal's Office, San Bernadino County Sheriff's Office, California Department of Food and Agriculture and Amador County Animal Services.

Suspects in the case have reportedly been identified. Those charged with possession of birds for fighting or cockfighting could receive up to six months in prison and a maximum fine of $1,000.

Cockfighting is a felony in 37 states; in California, the gambling practice warrants a misdemeanor charge on a first offense, and a felony on the second.

The law's relative leniency made it a prime sport for the breeding facility, Goodwin says.

"It wasn't particularly surprising to see a large cockfighting operation to pop up in California, especially because this guy set up right on the other side of Oregon, where it is a felony," Goodwin said.

"The law sends a strong message to cockfighters, that they are not really going to have to pay a price."

Tell us what you think about "Two Animal Fighting Rings Busted This Week" below. Share your favorite videos by clicking on the ZootooTV tab. Send us your story ideas by e-mailing us at news@zootoo.com or by calling us at 877-777-4204.

Pet Pulse reporter Amy Lieberman, The Associated Press, The Winston-Salem Journal and The Times-Standard contributed to this article.