Florida dog-fighting ring busted

Saturday, October 25, 2014, 2:13 PM -

Investigators were looking for drugs when they stumbled across something much worse.

Florida deputies found twelve dogs held captive near what appeared to be a makeshift ring. Investigators say they found clear evidence of dog fighting, indicated by blood and heavy chains.

"They have their training leashes on them which are very heavy weighted down chains that makes the dog stronger," said Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey.

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Siricia Mitchell is suspected of conducting the fights in a small building on the property where the dogs were found. Mitchell was charged with 18 counts of animal cruelty in 2003, but records indicate that he was only found guilty of two charges. Agents also found six pounds of marijuana on Friday.

"I will tell you anything that we can work with our state attorney to put criminal charges on, for the narcotics, for the dog fighting, for the conditions of the dogs, we're 'gonna load the wagon," Ivey said.

Glenn Cole, a neighbour, said he doesn't believe dog fights occurred on the property. "There's no dog fights," Cole said. "I mean, I would have heard it." Other residents neighbouring the property have reported deceased pit bulls in the canals nearby, however, authorities did not initially suspect dog fighting. They were responding to a drug case.

"We [found] dogs that are being used to fight, to gamble, and quite frankly, their lives are being put in these horrific situations," Ivey said.

With files from CNN. Image courtesy of Simple Wikipedia.