Recent Dogfighting Cases: Who’s Being Caught, What We’re Learning & How Rescuers Need to Prepare

by Aubrey | Aug 8, 2025 | animal cruelty, dog fighting

Recent Dogfighting Cases: Who’s Being Caught, What We’re Learning & How Rescuers Need to Prepare

Dogfighting remains an organized, cruel crime. In recent years, multiple major busts have led to felony prosecutions and the rescue of large numbers of dogs. Below is an overview of confirmed cases and what they mean for shelters and advocates.

Recent Dogfighting Cases

1. South Carolina Bust with 160 Dogs Rescued
In early April 2025, 160 dogs were rescued across Dillon and Marion Counties in South Carolina’s second-largest dogfighting takedown. Eleven people were arrested, and confiscated evidence included drugs and weapons. Facebook+13Wikipedia+13WBAL+13

2. Markus Anjawn Brown Arrest in Richland County, SC
On June 12, 2025, Markus Anjawn Brown, 47, was arrested in Richland County on charges of criminal conspiracy, animal fighting, and ill treatment of animals. Twenty-three dogs, including six puppies, were seized from two properties. Brown’s arrest was unrelated to the 160-dog case. AP NewsDepartment of Justice

3. Former NFL Player Conviction in Oklahoma: LeShon Eugene Johnson
In August 2025, ex-NFL running back LeShon Eugene Johnson, 54, was convicted on six felony counts under the Animal Welfare Act. Authorities seized 190 pit bull‑type dogs— the largest number ever taken from one individual in a federal dogfighting case. He now faces up to five years in prison and fines up to $250,000 per count. Department of Justice+4Department of Justice+4New York Post+4

4. Georgia (Paulding County)
In 2022, over 100 chained and malnourished pit bulls were seized. In January 2025, Vincent Lemark Burrell, 57, was sentenced to a staggering 475 years in prison for dogfighting and animal cruelty. Wikipedia+1

5. Georgia (Donalsonville)
A 2022 dogfighting event in Donalsonville involved 24 pit bull‑type dogs used in matches. By February 2025, eight residents had been convicted in connection with the operation. YouTube+7Wikipedia+7Facebook+7

6. Fort Wayne, Indiana — 22 Dogs Rescued
In late July 2025, a heat-crisis raid rescued 22 dogs and puppies from a suspected dogfighting operation. They were found in cramped, filthy cages amid extreme temperatures. wplg

7. Fort Wayne, Indiana — 25 Felony Charges Filed
In the same area, two men were recently indicted on a combined 25 felony counts for running a suspected dogfighting ring. Evidence included modified treadmills, weighted collars, and syringes. wplg

8. DeLand, Florida — 29 Dogs Rescued by SWAT
In July 2025, a SWAT raid in DeLand freed 29 dogs chained in kennels, many showing scars typical of dogfighting. Narcotics were also found on site, and the suspect faces animal cruelty charges. wplg

9. Southeast Dallas, Texas — 8 Dogs Rescued
In early August 2025, authorities executed search warrants at three properties and rescued eight emaciated dogs, including puppies. Gerald Brooks, 53, was arrested and faces five counts of dog fighting. wplg

10. Beaumont, Texas — 10 Dogs Seized from Suspected Fighting Ring
In late July 2025, Beaumont Animal Care confiscated 10 dogs from a suspected fighting ring under deplorable conditions. Fight-related equipment like treadmills and weighted collars was also found. The dogs are now in foster care. wplg

11. Baker, Louisiana — Only 2 Dogs Survived a Horrific Bust
In a warehouse bust, 30 dogs were discovered in horrific conditions. Sadly, only two survived and are undergoing rehabilitation. wplg

12. Frederick Moorefield Jr. — Former Pentagon Official
In Maryland, former Pentagon official Frederick Moorefield Jr. pleaded guilty to two counts of dogfighting. He used electrocuting methods on dogs for over 20 years under the name “Jihad Kennels.” The judge described the crimes as heinous and cruel on an exceptional scale. Moorefield was sentenced to 18 months in federal prison, followed by six months of home detention. WBAL

13. Massachusetts Federal Case — John D. Murphy
In April 2025, John D. Murphy, 51, was sentenced in Boston for federal dogfighting charges. He received one year and one day in prison (with the final three months in community confinement), three years of supervised release, a $10,000 fine, and a ban on owning pit bull‑type dogs. Department of Justice

Summary of Recent Dogfighting Cases

What Rescues Should Know: Triage and Trauma

• Medical needs
  Dogs coming from fighting operations often arrive with extensive injuries, both old and new. Expect puncture wounds, scar tissue, missing or broken teeth, torn ears, and untreated infections. Many are malnourished, dehydrated, and carrying heavy parasite loads. Females may have been bred repeatedly, leading to reproductive health issues. Immediate veterinary care is essential, with ongoing treatment plans for chronic conditions.

• Behavioral support
  The first priority is decompression — reducing environmental stress and giving the dog time to feel safe. Build trust through consent-based handling, predictable routines, and gradual exposure to new people and environments. Muzzle training should be introduced as a positive skill, not a punishment. Avoid assuming that every fight-bred dog is automatically aggressive toward other dogs or people. Each dog is an individual, and behavior should be assessed over time in a supportive setting.

• Intake and biosecurity
  Implement strict quarantine protocols to protect both the new arrivals and existing shelter or foster animals. Vaccinate upon intake when medically appropriate. Document every injury, scar, and identifying mark, along with microchip scans, to preserve evidence for legal proceedings. Maintain chain of custody when required by law enforcement, and store all records securely.

• Collaboration matters
  Large-scale seizures require coordinated efforts between rescues, shelters, veterinarians, and law enforcement. Rescues can assist with immediate triage, housing, long-term rehabilitation, and educating investigators on best practices for handling traumatized animals. Training law enforcement on safe handling, evidence collection, and welfare standards can improve both case outcomes and the dogs’ well-being.

Why These Cases Matter

• Scale of the cruelty
  Large seizures such as the 160-dog South Carolina case or Johnson’s 190-dog operation reveal just how organized and far-reaching dogfighting networks are. These are not isolated incidents. They involve coordinated breeding, training, transport, and fighting across multiple locations.

• The reach of high-profile offenders
  Johnson’s NFL background drew national attention and shattered the stereotype that dogfighting is confined to low-profile or rural offenders. It can intersect with celebrity, wealth, and influence, which can make prosecution more complex but also more visible to the public.

• The power of strong enforcement
  When courts hand down long prison sentences, require forfeiture of animals, and impose heavy fines, it sends a message that the legal system takes animal fighting seriously. Financial, legal, and social consequences can act as real deterrents for others involved in these crimes.

• Momentum for policy change
  These cases provide lawmakers with real-world examples of why stronger laws are necessary. They strengthen arguments for felony penalties on the first offense, lifetime animal-ownership bans, cost-of-care bonds that shift the burden to defendants, and mandatory forfeiture of all animals used in fighting.

What You Can Do Now

• Support rescues that prioritize rehabilitation
  Donate to organizations that provide individualized care, medical treatment, and behavioral support for seized dogs. Avoid supporting operations that warehouse animals without enrichment or adoption pathways.

• Push for stronger laws and enforcement
  Call or email your state legislators to demand:
  • Felony penalties for animal fighting on the first offense
  • Cost-of-care recovery from offenders
  • Lifetime ownership bans after conviction
  ➡️ Find Your State Legislators

• Report suspected dogfighting or neglect
  Warning signs include dogs kept on heavy chains, large numbers of adult dogs and puppies, visible scars or fresh wounds, and properties with fight-related equipment like treadmills or break sticks.
  ➡️ Report to the HSUS Animal Fighting Tip Line (1-877-847-4787) or contact your local animal control.

• Share responsibly
  Use only confirmed names, case numbers, and reputable sources. Avoid spreading rumors that could jeopardize active investigations or prosecutions.