UPDATED: 2 Men Arrested In Weekend Dog Fighting Bust In Washington County

2nd Local Dog Fighting Bust In One Week (Added: February 22, 2010)

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UPDATED: 2 Men Arrested In Weekend Dog Fighting Bust In Washington County

In Washington County, Georgia, a total of 35 pit bulls have been recovered after they were suspected of being used for dog fighting. Last Wednesday, a tip led investigators from the Washington County Sheriff's Office to a house on Ohoopee Church Road, in Sandersville, where 24 dogs were found, barely clinging to life, and 27 had already lost theirs. Saturday, another 11 pit bulls were rescued in Sandersville. The Washington County Sheriff is crediting our report from earlier in the week, to the tip that led to their second raid this week. WJBF News Channel 6’s Barclay Bishop reports. UPDATE: Two men: Jimmie Johnson and Roger Williams have been arrested in this case.

By: Barclay Bishop | WJBF News Channel 6
Published: February 22, 2010

***3:15 p.m. Update February 22***

We have also learned that Roger Williams has been arrested in this case.

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Sandersville, GA -- It was less than a week ago that we told you the story of 26 dogs rescued from this property in Sandersville, Georgia. The 25-acre property was used as a dumping ground for fight dogs....52-year-old Billie Taylor Jr. held partially responsible.

Sheriff Thomas Smith, Washington County: “Most of the dogs, they were scared. Like they had been tortured. It was just pitiful. It would bring tears to your eyes.”

That was Washington County Sheriff, Thomas Smith, when we first talked to him last week. But just days later, in East Sandersville, another tip came in. And another dog fighting ring was busted, this time, 11 rescued, and more found buried.

Sheriff Smith: “We believe that the reason the person called in the tip yesterday was because this person had seen the case from Wednesday on TV.”

These are some of the dogs rescued from Saturday morning's raid. Some had been buried just 2 days earlier. Those who survived, join the two dozen others in a undisclosed area, where officials from the ASPCA and United Animal Nations are helping to rehabilitate them, and keep them safe.

Janell Matthies, United Animal Nations: “The condition of the animals is just horrible, obviously they're skinny, they're emaciated, there's a lot of old wounds, there's a lot of untreated very serious wounds and conditions.”

Sheriff Smith says last week's case is unrelated to Saturday's case. But in both, animals are suffering, and in both, it was a tip called in that helped to save their lives.

Sheriff Smith: “The main thing that we want to do is to stop the dog fighting in Washington County and we want to send the message that we will not tolerate this type of behavior.”

Sheriff Smith says 29 year old Jimmie Johnson has charges pending of animal cruelty from Saturday’s case. Several others say they'll be turning themselves in first thing Monday morning. The animals will be with the ASPACE for the next several weeks to be rehabilitated.

There has been an arrest in this case. Sheriff Smith tells us that 29-year-old Jimmie Johnson of Wrightsville, will be facing cruelty to animal charges.