HOLLYWOOD, AL (WAFF) -
Investigators seized several dogs in an illegal dog fighting operation in Jackson County.
Law enforcement agencies executed two search warrants in the city of Hollywood Friday. Officials said the investigation began last year and several complaints had been received regarding the dog fighting.
Investigators served a search warrant at a home on Humphrey Lane and other property on County Road 36.
Police found several dogs they said were used for fighting.
Investigators said they found items used to train dogs and treat their wounds along with a stolen 4-wheeler that had a leash tied to it to make the dogs run.
Investigators seized 10 Pit Bulls on County Road 36 property. Most of them had injuries and one dog suffered a broken leg.
The area off Humphrey Lane
where the dogs were housed is now clear of dogs, although authorities say they
found skeletal remains of a dog.
Chief Jason Hepler said they
also found evidence measures were taken to increase their aggression.
"They had them on log
chains, and the log chains were long enough to where they could almost get to
each other but too short so they just kind of be nipping at each other but
couldn't actually get each other so it makes them kind of aggressive," he
said.
The dogs were taken to a local shelter where vets tended to their wounds, and they appear to be doing much better.
Officers took Richard Humphrey into custody and charged him with dog fighting, and they are searching for a second suspect.
It is believed to be the
first arrest for dog fighting in the town of Hollywood.
Humphrey was released Friday on a $5,000 bond.
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Investigators found several dogs injured on County Rd. 36.
Investigators found ten Pit Bulls used in dog fighting.
Richard Humphrey is charged with operating the ring. (Jackson County Sheriff's Department)
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