Georgia Man Charged in 106-Dog Pit Bull Fighting Operation in Paulding County

Detectives with the Paulding County Sheriff's Office arrested Vincent Lemark Burrell, 55, of Dallas, Georgia on Nov. 8, 2022, following a lengthy investigation into what authorities described as a "massive dog fighting operation," according to NBC News ^[1]. Burrell's property sits approximately 30 miles west of Atlanta. The arrest followed the execution of multiple search warrants coordinated across several local and county agencies ^[2].

Investigators recovered 106 dogs, the majority of them pit bulls, from Burrell's home on Old Cartersville Road ^[1][2]. Detectives found unvaccinated pit bulls that had been left outside for days on end and tied to trees or metal stumps in the ground "using large and extremely heavy logging chains and thick collars." Dogs were also found in the basement of the home, where detectives reported the odor and presence of urine and feces were so strong they had to wear protective equipment to safely enter. Some of the pit bulls were emaciated, while others were very strong and aggressive toward other dogs, authorities said.

Burrell faces charges for animal cruelty and dog fighting, according to the Paulding County Sheriff's Office. He is being held in the Paulding County Jail without bond on felony counts of cruelty to animals and dog fighting, and additional charges are expected as the investigation continues. The sheriff's office said it expects to charge Burrell with more than 100 additional counts as the inquiry proceeds.

Dog fighting is a felony in every U.S. state and under federal law. Attending and watching a dog fight is also illegal. In most states, including Georgia, possessing a canine for the purpose of dog fighting constitutes a felony offense on its own. Paulding County Sheriff Gary Gulledge said the case required coordination with local, state, and federal entities over an extended period, and credited the teamwork that led to the dogs' removal from the property ^[3].

All 106 dogs found on the property were placed in rescue facilities. Paulding County Animal Control, the Paulding County Marshal's Bureau, and the Paulding County Sheriff's Office secured multiple search warrants in connection with the suspect's home on Old Cartersville Road in Dallas. The investigation remains active, and authorities have encouraged anyone with information to contact the Paulding County Sheriff's Office Criminal Investigations Tip Line ^[3].

References

[1] NBC News. (2022, November 14). Georgia man arrested and accused of breeding and training over 100 pit bulls for dog fighting. https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/georgia-man-arrested-allegedly-breeding-training-100-pit-bulls-dog-fig-rcna56961

[2] CNN. (2022, November 12). Georgia man arrested for animal cruelty after 106 dogs bred for fighting were found on his property. https://www.cnn.com/2022/11/12/us/georgia-man-arrested-animal-cruelty/index.html

[3] CBS News. (2022, November 14). Man arrested for breeding and training over 100 pit bulls in "massive dog fighting operation" in Georgia, officials say. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/dog-fighting-100-pit-bulls-vincent-lemark-burrell-arrested-georgia/