AXIS, Ala. (WALA) -29 people behind bars in Metro Jail after the Mobile County Sheriff’s Office busted a dog fighting ring on Williams Avenue in Axis. After getting information about a dog fight Saturday night the sheriff’s office says they saw around 20 cars pull up to this house, some of which had pit bulls inside. Sheriff Paul Burch says what they found next was disturbing.
“It’s barbaric. I can’t wrap my head around that being entertainment for people,” said Sheriff Paul Burch. “When we disassembled the pen, they were fighting in there was blood all over it. There are also very obvious graves of dogs in the backyard.”
MCSO says 32 dogs were taken from the house by animal control and are currently at the Mobile County Animal Shelter. Some of the dogs have obvious signs of the fights they had been in.
“Some had healing scars, healing wounds, one is probably not going to make it that was actually fighting that day,” said Sheriff Burch.
Some of the 29 people arrested traveled from across the county and with some of them coming from as far as Waynesboro, Mississippi. Neighbors on Williams Avenue were surprised to hear so many people were coming into their neighborhood for dog fighting.
“That’s a little concerning because there’s out here and everybody just if they got in a real big hurry somebody could get hurt,” said Dewey Stokley. “I’m proud to see they got it stopped because that’s not right.”
The sheriff’s office says they seized 15 pounds of marijuana, 11 guns and over $8,000 in cash. But they’re still looking for the person they say is responsible for setting this up, Jeff Marks Jr.
“I’ll say this plainly the coward who organized this and fled from the scene and left his family to be arrested is still at large. He’s the homeowner and bailed when we showed up,” added Burch.
Jail records show he’s been in and out of metro since 1996 for several different charges including domestic violence, assault and several drug related charges. If you see him contact MCSO at 251-574-8633 as soon as possible.
Because the animal shelter is housing the dogs that were rescued, the shelter is over capacity. If anyone is interested in adopting some of the dogs go to Dogs For Adoption : Mobile County (mobilecountyal.gov) for more information.
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