This kind of robust enforcement, plus stronger anti-cruelty laws, is needed to wipeout animal-fighting ventures in America
Broken Arrow, OK — Animal-welfare advocates applauded federal officials at the FBI and the Department of Justice for the arrest of Broken Arrow man Leshon Eugene Johnson, the former NFL running back and kick returner, following a grand jury indictment for his alleged role in a large-scale dog fighting operation.
Johnson, who pleaded guilty in 2005 to the crime of dog fighting in Okmulgee County, Okla., is accused of breeding, training, and selling dogs for illegal fights through his operation, Mal Kant Kennels. Officials say he selectively bred “champion” and “grand champion” fighting dogs, marketing their bloodline to other dog fighters across the country. The 190 pit bull-type dogs seized from his properties in Broken Arrow and Haskell represent the largest number ever taken from a single individual in a federal dog fighting case.
If convicted, Johnson faces up to five years in prison per count and a $250,000 fine. He received a five-year deferred sentence for his 2005 guilty plea.
“Dogfighting is perhaps the most sickening form of animal cruelty,” said Wayne Pacelle, president of Animal Wellness Action and the Center for a Humane Economy. “The scale of cruelty in this case is jarring to the core, and I commend the FBI and the DOJ for their hard, life-saving work.”
Pacelle was involved with the aftermath of the arrest of football star Michael Vick. In 2007, the NFL quarterback was charged and later convicted for his role in a dogfighting operation known as “Bad Newz Kennels.” The case brought national attention to the horrors of dog fighting, sparking widespread condemnation and leading to stronger anti-cruelty laws and enforcement efforts.
“After the Michael Vick case, I thought the lessons would spillover to convince others — especially high-profile athletes — not to participate in this bloodsport. I was wrong. That’s why we need new and tougher legislation and government response.”
Advocates in Oklahoma recently helped defeat a pro-cockfighting group that wanted to weaken the state’s animal fighting laws. Kevin Chambers, the Oklahoma state director for Animal Wellness Action, helped swat down the efforts. “As a native of eastern Oklahoma, I continue to be deeply disturbed by the prevalence of dogfighting and cockfighting in our communities,” Chambers said. “This case should send a signal to every one of these felons that they risk their freedom if they continue to engage in this barbarous abuse of animals.”
Ramping Up the Fight Against Animal-Fighting
Animal Wellness Action and the Center for a Humane Economy are advocating for passage of the Fighting Inhumane Gambling and High-Risk Trafficking (FIGHT) Act, which has been endorsed by the hundreds of sheriffs’ associations and other enforcement groups across the country. The legislation would enhance enforcement of these laws by banning online gambling on animal fights; halting the shipment of mature roosters (chickens only) through the U.S. Postal Service (it is already illegal to ship dogs through the mail); allowing a civil right of action for private citizens against animal fighters after proper notice to federal authorities; and enhancing criminal forfeiture penalties to include real property for those convicted of animal fighting crimes.
The groups are also advocating for the DOJ to create an Animal Cruelty Crimes section to combat acts of malice toward animals. The new section would concentrate on enforcing federal anti-cruelty laws, including a series of measures signed by President Trump during his first term.
“Without enforcement, our laws are just aspirations, and criminals ignore them and charge ahead with their cruelty and chaos,” Pacelle said. “Crimes of malice toward animals are predictors of violence toward humans, so we are making everybody safer in our communities by robustly enforcing these laws.”
He added, “I consider passing the FIGHT Act in Congress as urgent a priority as we have at Animal Wellness Action and the Center for a Humane Economy.”