14 charged in 2022 Georgia dogfighting event: DOJ

(NewsNation) — Fourteen men from Florida, Georgia and Alabama were charged for participating in a “large-scale dog fighting event” in 2022, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.

According to court documents, on April 24, 2022, the men gathered at a Donalsonville, Georgia, property, where a total of 24 dogs were brought to fight that weekend in a series of matches.

Law enforcement officers who broke up the event found several dogs inside crates in cars on the property. Officials said participants used their cars to store dogs who had already fought, as well as those waiting to fight.

Officials said 27 dogs were rescued, along with another 51 with arrests that occurred this week.

The indictment alleges Tamichael Elijah, 47, lived on the property and acted as the host, having taken money from Marvin Pulley III, 52, of Donalsonville and Jakin, Georgia, for hosting the dog fights. Pulley was the primary organizer, officials said.

Under federal law, it is illegal to fight dogs in a venture that affects interstate commerce and to possess, train, transport, deliver, sell, purchase, or receive dogs for fighting purposes.

If convicted, the defendants face a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine per count of animal fighting charges.