U.S. Marshals seize 63 pit bulls from suspected Dodge Co. dog fighting ring
EASTMAN, Ga. -- Documents show U.S. Marshals seized approximately 63 pit bulls from a Dodge County home earlier this month. The Eastman home is part of a suspected dog fighting ring.
Xavier Simmons, Benjamin Shinhoster, Dwight McDuffie, James Lampkin, Deveon Hood, Joe Ford and Andre Archer have all been arrested and charged with dog fighting, according to Dodge County Sheriff's. Additional charges are pending. All bonded out expect for Lamkin.
Documents filed in Dublin federal court say officers received a tip on March 17 about an organized dog fight taking place in Dodge County at 9 p.m.
GSP later initiated a traffic stop at 11 p.m., finding a pit bull with cuts and covered in blood inside a box. The owner admitted to attending dog fights that night at 2083 Rozar Goolsby Road in Eastman.
Agents then raided the home and found a dog fighting pit in the front yard that had been disassembled, according to the documents.
In the back of the home, agents found about 55 pit bulls staked to the ground by heavy chains. Nearby, they also discovered antibiotics and syringes for the dogs, and a treadmill with a rope attached to the front.
Authorities returned two days later on March 19 to execute a search warrant.
They found seven pit bulls in four grave areas. The dogs were lacking food and water, the documents say, and more training equipment was also discovered.
All the dogs seized from the home are now being treated by veterinarians.
This is a developing story. Check back here for updates as they come available.
