Alabama man, 42, is arrested following bust at a suspected dog-fighting ring where cops rescued at least 17 pitbulls and found 11 canine skulls
- WARNING: GRAPHIC CONTENT
- Police discovered the ring in Mulga when responding to a report of dogs fighting
- They initially found 17 pitbulls and later rescued multiple more
- Fresh blood and at least 11 canine skulls were found at the operation
- Reginald Antonio Dowdell, 42, was charged with felony dog fighting on Monday
- He could face 3 more dog fighting charges along with 16 animal cruelty charges
Reginald Antonio Dowdell, 42, is facing felony dog fighting and animal cruelty charges after police discovered what appeared to be a dog-fighting operation in Mulga, Alabama
At least 17 dogs have been rescued from a suspected dog-fighting operation in Alabama where authorities found fresh blood and 11 canine skulls.
Reginald Antonio Dowdell, 42, was formally charged with felony dog fighting on Monday following the bust in Mulga.
Jefferson County authorities have said Dowdell could face three additional dog fighting charges as well as 16 animal cruelty charges.
Deputies responding to a complaint about dogs fighting on Sunday morning were approaching a home in a wooded area when they were met by a juvenile carrying an injured dog.
When they reached the ring, deputies initially found 17 pitbulls, at least four of which had injuries consistent with dog fighting.
Several more dogs were later found near the site, as well as 11 skulls so far.
‘It’s gut-wrenching and heartbreaking,” said Chief Deputy Randy Christian.
‘The fact that some people can see it as a sport to facilitate or be an audience for is just despicable and hard to comprehend.’
Police initially found 17 pitbulls at the operation and later rescued ‘multiple’ more dogs
Many of the dogs rescued from the property had injuries consistent with dog fighting
Animal control has taken custody of the dogs, according to the sheriff’s office.
Greater Birmingham Humane Society president Allison Black Cornelius reacted to the bust in a Facebook post, writing: ‘If you see or hear something say something. And that’s what happened. It was a long and grueling day. Many thanks to our staff and to Sheriff Hale’s incredible deputies.
‘None of us will ever forget what we saw and none of us will rest until violence like this stops. It sickens me to think these people live and walk amongst us in our community. And the fact that these scum bags had a child on scene made me want to throw up.
‘Pray for all of these poor creatures and pray for the GBHS hands that will be trying to heal the hurts these animals have suffered over the next many many months.’
Animal control has taken custody of the dogs with help from the local humane society
The Jefferson County Sheriff’s office released the photo above of one of the rescued dogs
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