ST. JOSEPH, MO -
Authorities have arrested about 30 people and seized as many as 350 pit bulls in five states in what's being called the largest simultaneous raid of dogfighting operations in the U.S.
Wednesday's raids by task forces of state, federal and local law enforcement agencies took place in Missouri, Illinois, Iowa, Texas and Oklahoma.
Federal agents say that some of the alleged dog fights occurred in the St. Joseph area, where the wife of one of the suspects told FOX 4 that it's all been a misunderstanding.
Chris Bottcher, of Gilman City, was arrested along with Rick Hihath of St. Joseph in the raid. Bottcher's wife, who did not want to appear on camera, said that the pit bulls that she and her husband raise are show dogs, not fighting dogs.
Residents in Gilman City say that the area would be a good spot to hold the alleged dog fighting competitions.
"There isn't anything up there," said Randy Crump. "There's a big old wildlife area, the state owns a bunch of ground up there. There aren't any houses very close to it, so if you're going to do it, I suppose that's where you'd go."
Local barber Bill Whitten says that the alleged dog fights were news to him.
"We hear rumors every once in a while about things like that, but that's the first I'd heard about dog fighting," said Whitten.
Animal groups involved with the rescues said there were arrests in Arkansas associated with dogfighting in that state, but no dogs were seized.
The raids followed a more than year-long investigation prompted by information gathered by the Humane Society of Missouri.
That group said it then reached out to other partners when it realized the scope of the operations.
Go to the Humane Society Web site to find out how you can help The Humane Society of Greater Kansas City is also now a drop off site for donations. The Kansas City Humane Society is located at 5445 Parallel Parkway, Kansas City, Kansas 66104. Things needed include: sheets, full-size towels, blankets, shredded paper, newspaper and sturdy toys.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Wednesday's raids by task forces of state, federal and local law enforcement agencies took place in Missouri, Illinois, Iowa, Texas and Oklahoma.
Federal agents say that some of the alleged dog fights occurred in the St. Joseph area, where the wife of one of the suspects told FOX 4 that it's all been a misunderstanding.
Chris Bottcher, of Gilman City, was arrested along with Rick Hihath of St. Joseph in the raid. Bottcher's wife, who did not want to appear on camera, said that the pit bulls that she and her husband raise are show dogs, not fighting dogs.
Residents in Gilman City say that the area would be a good spot to hold the alleged dog fighting competitions.
"There isn't anything up there," said Randy Crump. "There's a big old wildlife area, the state owns a bunch of ground up there. There aren't any houses very close to it, so if you're going to do it, I suppose that's where you'd go."
Local barber Bill Whitten says that the alleged dog fights were news to him.
"We hear rumors every once in a while about things like that, but that's the first I'd heard about dog fighting," said Whitten.
Animal groups involved with the rescues said there were arrests in Arkansas associated with dogfighting in that state, but no dogs were seized.
The raids followed a more than year-long investigation prompted by information gathered by the Humane Society of Missouri.
That group said it then reached out to other partners when it realized the scope of the operations.
Go to the Humane Society Web site to find out how you can help The Humane Society of Greater Kansas City is also now a drop off site for donations. The Kansas City Humane Society is located at 5445 Parallel Parkway, Kansas City, Kansas 66104. Things needed include: sheets, full-size towels, blankets, shredded paper, newspaper and sturdy toys.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
