Five charged, more than 150 dogs seized in massive dog fighting raid

KSDK -- Five area men stand accused of running a massive dog fighting ring.

More than 150 Pit Bull Terriers were seized by officers from multiple federal and state law enforcement agencies in an early morning raid on several locations in the St. Louis area.A history-making operation.

The U.S Attorney filed motions seeking to take legal ownership of the dogs and place the animals in the care of the Humane Society of Missouri. The U.S. Attorney wants the defendants to reimburse the Humane Society for all costs to care for the dogs.

The Humane Society calls this probably the largest dog fighting raid in U.S. history. All pit bulls seized in Missouri and Illinois will be taken to a secure facility where the Humane Society can treat them. This is the largest sheltering operation in the history of Missouri Humane Society.
As for the future of the dogs, the Humane Society will make recommendations about each animal to the U.S. District Court which will make the final decision for each animal.

The indictment...More