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Eight men were being questioned and at least seven dogs were rescued after Dolton, Ill., police and Cook County Sheriff’s Police officers broke up a what was described as a major dog fighting operation Wednesday night.
"This was going to be much more extensive," said Sheriff Tom Dart. "There were cars from out of state there. So this was a large operation that was going to go on that night."
Two men were arrested immediately, as police raided a former auto repair garage in the shadow of the Bishop Ford Freeway. But a search of the building revealed more suspects, hiding in the building’s rafters.
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"We found six more people, one of whom has a warrant out for an attempted murder case," Dart said.
The sheriff said it appeared some of the dogs had already fought by the time officers arrived. One had severe bite marks and a wounded eye which medical personnel said may have to be removed.
The fighting ring itself was splattered with blood, as were the walls of the garage. A worn out vending machine in a corner contained narcotics investigators believe were used to sedate the dogs so they could continue fighting.
Dart said it was unclear whether the dirty garage had been the site of previous fights.
"The walls inside the facility are covered in blood," he said. "It’s hard to tell if it’s new or not."
Investigators said when they arrived, the sound of the fighting echoed through the parking lot.
"You could hear the yelling and the barking," Dart said. "You could hear them cheering on their dogs, and you could hear the dogs fighting."
One of those questioned had recently been released from jail after being charged with dog fighting, an officer said. Another had an outstanding warrant on an attempted murder charge.
Dog fighting exists in a shadowy world which is often difficult to detect. The fights are often advertised word-of-mouth or in online advertisements which are closely held. For that reason, Dart said his investigators were lucky to have raided the building when they did.
"They move these fights around a ton," he said. "We’ve had numerous ones where we show up at a location, and it had been moved hours before."
Members of the South Suburban Humane Society took the dogs.
This dog was found after police broke up a suspected dog-fighting ring in Dolton, Ill.
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Alaska...thanks for the comment. MJ was not my idol, but this song WAS a good one.
i tried posting here once,it did not post. i believe God should decide on the punishment these cruel people deserve,dog fighting is cruel and illegal.also put them behind bars with the worst of humanity untill.
i was in crystal lake illinois a couple of years ago and we could hear dog fighting behind the house on achilles lane near the electric high lines near a tree farm.it could have been just a bunch of dogs barking only they sounded real mean.i did not report it as i was not 100% sure.i wish i would have.
i pray God will punish these people doing this.
I've gotta say... i am religious, but not the same way some of u are... I find it funny that the first thing out of a lot of your mouth's Hang the people that did this, they deserve to die... All this death and how a Human Being needs to die because they abused an animal... A HUMAN BEINGS. yes we all love dogs and animals ect. and this stuff needs to stop.. no pet or animal needs to be tortured abused etc. But I am just surprised that a lot of u that are religious and not religious the first thing out of ur mouth is Kill these bastards blah blah blah.. Really? i mean Really? For u that are religious as i am... Does it not say in the bible let he without sin cast the first stone.. And Thou Shalt not kill... yea these people are killing animals and they are sick but Really? We are wish death on human beings because of their sick behavior.. Shame on you.. who claim to be religious... Laws need to be put in place so things like this don't happen.. Where animals aren't abused and tortured. Give the offenders jail time slap um with fines hell get them some mental help.. But don't wish death on someone.. And FFS stop bashing each other about religion this article is about Animal abuse. People need to wake up and realize just because u are religious doesn't mean ur righteous. Religion isn't about bashing and wishing death on others because they are messing up.. Its about acceptance of ur fellow human being no matter what THEY CHOOSE TO BELIEVE. and its not about judging it about forgiving. I think its funny how a comment about religion is what set all this off. And it was a Religious person that said it.. NO wonder so many people are turned off be religion its because the first thing out of a so called religious persons mouth is they need to burn in hell, REALLY? People need to get their religion straight and what it really means. Like i said i am a religious person. And i don't wish death on someone because they killed an animal. Maybe they need some help or jail time sure.. Death not so much.. Instead of wishing death on someone.. Maybe we should start doing constructive things like getting laws into place to stop things like this.. It doesn't even have to be a religious thing, human beings need to stop showing their butts and the monsters they are inside for wishing death on each other.. i swear that's some of the first things i read in comments people leave.. Just because u think someone needs to die doesn't mean they deserve to die.. some of u people disgust me. you don't even have to be a religious person to think its wrong to kill someone because they messed up and are sick in the head for doing such horrible things to AN ANIMAL. Wake up people someone deserves to die shouldn't be your first middle or last thought.. It should be what can we do to stop things like this from happening, what steps can we take to get laws put into place, or even what kinda help can we get people that do things like this. I dunno.. i think i've ranted on enough.. Take it as u want get pissed show your butt i don't care..
my prayers are coming true..... i saw something like this on tv and the police working hard to solve it so i began to pray. i stand in agreement with 'send them to a special place in hell... some of those other pups aren't pit bulls, how the hell can they fend for themselves!!!
just pray to god to make a way where there is no way humanly possible for god and he'll send signs and clues. just do it
amen. thank you
People caught fighting animals like this should be shot on sight.
To expect the afterlife to deal with this bastards is like a fairytale. This is a heinous act and needs to be dealt with quickly and painfully, here, on Earth, NOW.
Skip the debate on the existence of God, focus on the f'd up community that allows this s*it, and doesn't say a word.
Never give up on the dogs, and head the moving things. These dogs were taught to fight and now require more specialized training. My dog is not a fighter (Shar Pei brindle Bullmastiff) until pushed by other untrained dogs and then he acts as any dog with fangs. God have mercy on these dogs.