Authorities in west Georgia arrested 34 people and seized 27 vehicles, several guns and over $28,000 in cash in a Saturday night raid on an alleged dog-fighting operation in Meriwether County. Officers from several agencies, bolstered by helicopters from the Coweta County Sheriff’s Office and the state Department of Natural Resources, took part in the raid, which went down off Happy Hollow Drive.
When the helicopter pilots hit their target with spotlights, participants and spectators ran into the arms of waiting officers holding a perimeter around the event. Deputies found a large “fighting pit” and an emaciated, bleeding female pit bull terrier. That dog was taken into protective custody, along with another dog seized.
One of the vehicles confiscated was a large “Express Wings” catering truck that was set up to serve fried chicken and fish to spectators. Deputies also seized five guns, two generators and lighting equipment. One of those arrested was wanted by U.S. Marshals on a federal indictment accusing him of dog fighting.
Those arrested were of them local and some from as far away as Arkansas and Michigan, face various charges, including gambling, cruelty to animals, possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime, theft-by-receiving stolen property and conspiracy to commit or promote dog fighting.
