Illegal Dog Fighting Ring Broken Up
Illegal Dog Fighting Ring Broken Up Save Email Print
Two Dogs Rescused, Now Need Homes
Posted: 8:14 PM Jun 25, 2008
 Last Updated: 12:55 AM Jun 26, 2008
 Reporter: Sherelle Roberts
Email Address: sherelle.roberts@wkyt.com
31 comments
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The Laurel County's Sheriff's office is cracking down on illegal dog fighting.

Two dogs, one Pit Bull mix and one German Shepard mix, were rescued Wednesday from a home where police say the sport was going on.

The dogs are now at the Laurel County Humane Society, but police say their owners have kept them chained to trees, muzzled, and kept under porches and only brought them out to fight.

Both dogs were so badly hurt when police rescued them that they could barely walk.

Police say Corbin men Joe Lewis III, Joe Lewis Jr. and Dalton Brewer are responsible. None of the men have been arrested yet. But police say they will be soon, and will be charged with animal cruelty in the first degree.

As for the dogs, the rescue does not secure their safety. If the dogs get a clean bill of health they can be adopted. But the pit bull can only be taken in by a rescue organization. That's because Laurel County's Humane Society does not have a pit bull adoption program.

If no one adopts the dogs, they will have to be euthanized.
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Posted by: m Location: ct on Jul 10, 2008 at 08:11 PM
what a shame! if these low lives don't get their just reward in court, then a few good men { or women } needs to set an example.this needs to stop. some where in the state of ky. there has to be a pit bull rescue org.check with ASPCA . also UNITED STATES HUAMANE SOCIETY!!
Posted by: Ashley Location: Williamsburg on Jul 6, 2008 at 10:11 AM
THIS IS TO ALL ANIMAL LOVERS NOT JUST PIT BULL LOVERS! I THINK ITS TIME THAT WE MAKE A STAND AGAINST DOG FIGHTING/ ANIMAL ABUSE! WE NEED TO ALL WORK TOGETHGER AND ORGANIZE A PRTOTEST TO PUT A STOP TO THIS NONSENSE!!! KYMOM: babys have parents to voice for them! people do get upset about that stuff too. but, do you see people fighting babys to the death... NO, you dont!! And besides more stuff is being done about child abuse than animal abuse! Animals are just like people, give them the RIGHT kind of love and you won't have to worry about them TURNING on you, treat them with RESPECT and they'll treat you with respect.
Posted by: Ashley Location: Jones on Jul 6, 2008 at 09:43 AM
I was just wondering... Why can you let the other dog get adopted and not the pit?? Pits are not bad dogs, I have two and they are big babys. By not letting them get a chance to get adopted is just as bad as fighting them, because your not allowing them to have a chance to be loved!!!!!
Posted by: angie Location: hyden,ky on Jul 2, 2008 at 12:55 AM
alot of animal cruelty in leslie county with no one to report it to, or no one that cares. i wish someone that had some power to stop it would investigate. all you have to do is drive around and you see dogs chained 24/7 with little or no shelter nor food and water. i've seen little water with mold and worms swimming in it. the hurts creek area and wooten areas are some of the worst. dogs are chained up 24/7 under cliffs "large rocks", or on hillsides. some are covered with mange and fleas. the owners do not care, i've heard people say "its just the way things are around here. the owners never pet or love on them or show them any affection. they are just doomed to a life they do not deserve. i am only one person and if i speak up and people know its me, then they will probably seek revenge, "it's the way they do in leslie county...burn you house down or shoot you or a member of your family". please, someone out there help these precious animals.
Posted by: grumpy on Jun 29, 2008 at 10:21 AM
givve them the max sentence its funny that some of you people want the men in this case nailed but feel sorry for others that beat old people because they are on drugs when the did it a criminal needs to be took out wheter it is abusing animals or humans so give them the max and teah them a lesson
Posted by: Me! Location: Ky on Jun 28, 2008 at 05:34 AM
To KyMOm....So are you on here everyday? Because I am and stories concerning kids seem to get alot of comments. Just wondering? Face it there are idiots all over the world and they pick animals,children and the elderly because they can overpower them. They need to come across some big mean guy like the one in "Walking Tall"!!!Let them see how it feels to be helpless of what happens to them.
Posted by: steve on Jun 27, 2008 at 07:47 PM
I see cows and chickens and deer stuff like that as eating animals and people like peta a bunch of idiots come on get real. But i do not like people that fights dogs thats just cruel no need in that its just common sense.
Posted by: Anonymous on Jun 27, 2008 at 04:57 PM
And we wonder why people in other areas think we are all stupid renecks.
Posted by: Not in a glass house Location: South East KY on Jun 27, 2008 at 01:11 PM
KYMOM -- if you "think anyone that harms another living thing, whether it be people or animals, should have the same treatment given to them that they gave the victims" makes me believe you must be a vegetarian since you not for killing cows, chickens, fish... Or do you have double standard?
Posted by: Bonnie Location: Georgetown on Jun 27, 2008 at 06:00 AM
Perhaps the answer to the punishment is the dogs. They should be entitled to a try at a better quality of life. The owners and/or jailers of the dogs should have to pay for medical expenses, boarding and any training available to try and rehab them to a decent life. Almost like child support but dog support, with no visitations of course. Individuals who do this should be treated as if they need a doctor themselves. In this day and age if can not see something wrong finding enjoyment from watching animals tearing each other up (remember these animals have no voice) you really have issues.
Posted by: is race an issue? Location: ? on Jun 27, 2008 at 05:12 AM
I just don't see the point of always crying race or gender.As in the comment "is race an issue". Of course the men who were doing this deserve much jail time and then should be made to work in animal shelters(supervised)for many years. Let them see what comes in there and how sad it is to watch. Let them see an animal that is kind and loving have to be destroyed.Maybe that would melt their cold hearts!!!
Posted by: kymom Location: lex on Jun 27, 2008 at 04:04 AM
I can't believe this! Don't get me wrong, I think dog fighting is a horrible thing! I just don't understand why everyone is all up in arms about this story when there are stories on here all the time about sweet little innocent babies and children getting murdered and abused, but no oe cares to comment on that! You don't seem to get nearly as upset! I think anyone that harms another living thing, whether it be people or animals, should have the same treatrment given to them that they gave the victims!
Posted by: Lexus Location: Paris on Jun 26, 2008 at 06:58 PM
Hope - I have 6 dogs that are rescue animals - I am more than aware of the suffering endured by these animals, therefore, how I spend my time is of no concern to you. The imminent deaths of the dogs in the story does not seem a feasible alternative to actively locating a suitable adoption program.
Posted by: Kelly Location: KY on Jun 26, 2008 at 05:05 PM
Chain them to a tree, just like that stray dog was, and let a ticked off pitbull have at them for awhile.
Posted by: Brad Location: Pikeville on Jun 26, 2008 at 03:27 PM
Charles i wouldn't mind being stuck in a ring with you. Lost Creek sounds like a place where you would would live by the way. These men should be dealt with swiftly but as with everything else look where we live and who hands down the punishments.
Posted by: ANN Location: KENTUCKY on Jun 26, 2008 at 12:41 PM
CHARLES, CAN YOU SAY ILLEGAL AND INHUMANE. IT IS A BIG DEAL. DOGS WERE NOT PUT ON THIS EARTH TO BE TREATED SO HORRIBLE. I CANNOT BELIEVE SOME PEOPLE. WHY WOULD ANYONE WANT TO WATCH THIS FOR ENTERTAINMENT. IT'S JUST PLAIN SICKENING TO ME.
Posted by: Carla Location: Pikeville Ky on Jun 26, 2008 at 12:09 PM
I can not understand why people would be so cruel and evil, animals are helpless creatures that rely on their owners to take care of them. I hope these men (I use the word loosely) will be locked up for the max amount of time. I can not understand why they have not been arrested yet...I know there has to be a special place in Hell for people like this.
Posted by: Belle Location: Lexington on Jun 26, 2008 at 08:35 AM
What terrible excuses for human beings.
Posted by: Anonymous Location: Lexington on Jun 26, 2008 at 08:30 AM
They should keep these people muzzled and under porches!!! Very sad of the dogs to be treated this way!!
Posted by: charles Location: lost creek on Jun 26, 2008 at 06:10 AM
whats the big deal its just fightin dogs it is no diffrent then fightin chicken u people need to quit worrin about a dog
Posted by: Goebel Location: Lexington on Jun 26, 2008 at 05:52 AM
Give them the max sentence and then add more on. Come on Judge make an example of these so called people.
Posted by: Sheena Location: Virginia Beach on Jun 26, 2008 at 05:41 AM
Sick individuals. If they do this to animals, sure they would have no problem mis treating children. THEY are the ones that need to be euthanized.
Posted by: Hope Location: Barbourville on Jun 26, 2008 at 05:36 AM
Lexus, maybe to be euthanized is better than continuous suffering at the hands of someone who doesn't have enough since to find real pleasure in the world. The dogs would be subjected to fighting to the death or even worse almost to death where they will only heal to be once again subjected to senseless cruelty. Maybe instead of questioning the actions of the shelter--you should spend your time adopting on these dogs so the point would be rescue.
Posted by: Zatoichi Location: Richmond on Jun 26, 2008 at 04:46 AM
Since when did this become a "sport" as you report in the story? Is there anyway the men can be humanely "euthanized" instead of the dogs?
Posted by: Joey Location: Lex on Jun 26, 2008 at 03:59 AM
Is there such a thing as a "LEGAL" dog fighting ring? If not, why use the word "illegal?" If there's dog fighting involved, we know it is illegal.
Posted by: Lexus Location: Paris on Jun 26, 2008 at 03:48 AM
"If no one adopts the dogs, they will have to be euthanized." What is the point then?
Posted by: Anonymous on Jun 26, 2008 at 01:59 AM
What nice people. Where is this place?
Posted by: Keith Location: Corbin on Jun 26, 2008 at 12:20 AM
See, this just proves that not only are these dog fights only done by big time pro football players. It's done right here in our own backyards. Way to go to the Laurel Co. Sheriff's Dept.
Posted by: is race an issue Location: richmond on Jun 25, 2008 at 09:47 PM
Remember Mike Vick? They should get the same punishment. If not something is wrong with the picture. He's doing fed time and has to do state time afterwards.
Posted by: jo Location: paintsville on Jun 25, 2008 at 09:40 PM
i would not dignify such cruelty with the word sport in your headline - correction needed
Posted by: sherry Location: eastern ky on Jun 25, 2008 at 09:08 PM
these men should be prosecuted to the fullest,fined jailed,and put in a ring to fight to the death like the poor animals they abuse. anybody treating animals of any kind in an in human way deserve the same dose of cruelty shown to the animals. the abusers,should be in stocks, given a public whipping or stoned.
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