More than 100 dogs rescued, man arrested in Paulding County dog-fighting ring bust
Lemark Burrell (Paulding County Sheriff’s Business)
PAULDING COUNTY, Ga. – Much more than 100 canines had been rescued and a Paulding County person was arrested right after busting a significant pet dog fighting operation this week.
Lemark Burrell, 55, was billed with cruelty to animals and puppy battling.
Tuesday, using a number of search warrants, various organizations raided a house located at 1040 Old Cartersville Road. Investigators say they discovered 106 canines, primarily pit bulls. The Paulding County Sheriff’s Workplace describes the scene and the different state of the canines in a launch on Friday.
“Some of the canine had been emaciated, though others were being potent and particularly aggressive towards other puppies,” the sheriff’s office environment wrote. “The unhappy section is that the extensive greater part of these animals just craved the adore and awareness of the deputies and detectives that were on the scene.”
The sheriff’s office environment went on to describe that most of the dogs exterior were located tied to trees and metal stobs, and showed signs they have been not getting presented suitable meals and water.
“These animals were being tied to many issues using substantial and really significant logging chains and thick collars,” the sheriff’s office wrote. “Lots of of these canine were being fundamentally remaining in the factors with little to no shelter for days on end.
Investigators say the puppies have been also not staying witnessed by veterinarians and have not gained their correct vaccinations.
Inside of, circumstances had been not substantially far better.
“Some of the pet dogs were being housed in the basement of the household wherever the presence (along with the odor) of urine and feces was so robust, authorities experienced to put on protecting gear just to be capable properly enter the dwelling,” the sheriff’s place of work wrote. “Circumstances the place pet dogs have been becoming housed, both inside and on the exterior of this residence, ended up not healthy for humans, much fewer dogs.”
The Paulding County Sheriff’s Workplace unveiled this photograph showing the canine collars just take off of rescued canines throughout a dog-combating bust on Nov. 8, 2022. (Paulding County Sheriff’s Business office)
The puppies had been taken in by a variety of rescue amenities exactly where they can be rehabilitated. Close friends of the Forlorn Pitbull Rescue, Inc., East Paulding Animal Healthcare facility, New Hope Animal Clinic, Mostly Mutts Animal Rescue, Hiram Animal Clinic, Cedarcrest Animal Healthcare facility, Frank Ortiz of the Cedarcrest Animal Hospital, Jessica Rock of the Prosecuting Attorney’s Council of Georgia, and Steve Hammond, Director of Cobb County Animal Control all assisted move up to assist with the dog’s rescue.
Paulding County Sheriff Gary Gulledge produced a assertion about the bust that reads:
“In scenarios like these, we have to carry out a lengthy and extensive investigation. This is not one thing that we can just place alongside one another in a number of times, situations like these are compressive and demand us to get the job done with many community, point out, and federal entities. I am proud of the teamwork that has been exhibited in this circumstance and I am thankful that these canine are safe now. The dark and sinister environment of puppy battling is a despicable society that has no position in our planet”
Burrell was arrested at the dwelling devoid of incident. He was booked into the Paulding County Jail in which he was staying held as of Friday without having bond.
Investigators say he faces additional than 100 further counts, but all those have however to be filed.
The Paulding County Animal Regulate, the Paulding County Marshal’s Bureau, and the Paulding County District Attorney’s Workplace assisted the Paulding County Sheriff’s Workplace with the bust.
Investigators encourage any individual with data in this circumstance or any other possible dog-fighting ring, to get in touch with the Paulding County Sheriff’s Place of work Criminal Investigations Tip Line at 770-443-3047.
