AXIS, Ala. (WALA) – It’s been nearly a week since Mobile County Sheriff’s office arrested 29 people for their alleged involvement in a dog fighting operation.
The investigation led deputies to a home in northern Mobile County in the city of Axis where 32 dogs were rescued.
At the time, the Mobile County animal shelter was already overcrowded. But thanks to a recent move to free up some space, the shelter was able to accept all of the dogs on short notice.
“A couple of weeks ago, we participated in a large transport that took many of our animals up to northern states,” explained Sharee Broussard from the County Commission’s office.
She says they currently have 153 dogs in the shelter with 74 available for adoption.
The 32 dogs from this incident are on legal hold at the shelter, meaning they must stay there until the case is closed.
“This one was a particularly large bust,” said Janine Woods, Executive Director of the Mobile SPCA. “And I feel quite badly because you know, they’ve got a bunch of dogs now that are, it’s not like you can, you know, put them in a home.”
Shelter staff say the dogs are doing better.
“Each of the dogs has been individually evaluated for any medical conditions or issues and the ones that are needing medical care or getting medical care, they are under veterinary care at the shelter,” Broussard adds. “Many of the dogs were underweight and all of the dogs are continually evaluated on a daily basis.”
Broussard and Janine Woods, The Executive Director of the Mobile SPCA say animal cruelty cases like this pop up rarely in Mobile County.
“This is the second time in two years that we’ve had something of this magnitude but our officers respond to calls on a regular basis for animal cruelty investigation,” said Broussard.
“I think we still have plenty of dogfighting out there in the county,” Woods shares. “I think we have plenty of chickens — fighting chickens, but I don’t — I think that they hide ‘em pretty well.”
While the investigation continues, Broussard is urging the public to consider adopting one of their dogs.
Authorities are still searching for the person they say set up the dog fighting ring, Jeff Marks, Junior. If you see him, please call the Mobile County Sheriff’s office immediately!
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