Setting an unfortunate record
Former NFL running back LeShon Johnson has been charged in a federal indictment for violations of US dog fighting laws. According to the Department of Justice, Johnson was charged with the possession of 190 “pit bull-type” dogs for use in a dog fighting ring and for “selling, transporting, and delivering a dog for use in an animal fighting venture.”
The DOJ believes this is the most dogs ever seized from a single person in an animal fighting case.
It disrupts a major source of dogs used in other dog fighting ventures.”
“This strategic prosecution of an alleged repeat offender led to the seizure of 190 dogs destined for a cruel end. It disrupts a major source of dogs used in other dog fighting ventures,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Adam Gustafson of the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division (ENRD).
Bred dogs for himself and others
In its press release, the US District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma said that the former third-round NFL draft pick, now 54 years old, ran the Mal Kant Kennels dog fighting operation in Broken Arrow and Haskell, Oklahoma.
He would breed the winningest dogs – “champion” and “grand champion” – to produce more fighting dogs. Those offspring, as well as stud rights to his champions, would be sold to other dog fighting operators who wanted to better their stables.
Not only did Johnson operate a dog fighting operation himself, but his business helped grow other operations around the country.
This is not Johnson’s first time running afoul of dog fighting laws. In 2004, he pleaded guilty to state animal fighting charges and received a five-year deferred sentence the following year.
Illegal across all of US
Dog fighting is fairly self-explanatory: two dogs are put into a ring and forced to fight, usually until one is too injured to continue or dead. Dogs, usually pit bulls, are bred and trained to be as strong and vicious as possible.
often have links to organized crime
Like human fighting sports like boxing or mixed martial arts, dog fights are a lucrative form of entertainment for those involved, particularly promoters and winning owners. Much of the entertainment and cash flow revolves around gambling on the fights, as well. Dog fighting operations often have links to organized crime.
Rescuers try to rehabilitate and rehome dogs that are seized from fighting operations, but many are often beyond repair both physically and mentally and have to be euthanized.
Dog fighting is illegal in all 50 states and on the federal level. Mere attendance at a dog fight is even illegal in every state.
LeShon Johnson faces 21 counts and a maximum of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine for each.
