Tyler, TX – Two men are facing a slew of charges after Smith County officials found evidence of a large dog fighting operation at their nine-acre property on County Road 4136 earlier this month. The property of Kerry Jones, 34, and Michael Jones, 31, held all the telltale signs of dog fighting, including a blood-stained fighting ring, modified treadmills, break sticks, and dozens of injured pit bulls with wounds indicative of being brutally attacked.
A bloody fighting ring
Detective Jacob Herman described the conditions found on the property:
“As I walked through, I observed several dogs to be locked in cages with their ribs showing and in a state of malnourishment. Many of the dogs had fresh injuries with visible blood and scars that were consistent with being fought. Some appeared lethargic and unable to move. One dog in a cage had part of its bottom jaw missing and another looked to have had its nose removed possibly from a bite it sustained.”
Cindy Nash, of Nicholas Pet Haven, viewed the property with the approval of the authorities. She tells the Tyler Morning Telegraph of the horror she observed:
“I couldn’t believe what I was looking at. My God … there were puppies being used as bait … some of these dogs are being trained to tear them apart.”
During the September 9 raid investigators found nearly 60 dogs living in sheds, cages, and chained to treadmills.
The Jones brothers subjected dogs in their care to a life of violence and misery all for their love of money. Dogs were forced to fight one another – forced to rip and tear flesh from each other. Injured dogs were stapled back together if they survived.
If you are horrified by this sadistic operation, and fed up with greedy, soulless dogfighters, please add your name to the petition today. Animal Victory is fighting for the maximum sentence – enough is enough, this despicable blood “sport” must be stopped and that will never happen unless perpetrators face REAL consequences.
Smith County Animal Control has custody of the dogs but on Sept. 26, the brothers will be in court, trying to get them back!
Target
Smith County District Attorney’s Office
WHY THIS PETITION MATTERS:
We, the undersigned, demand that Kerry Jones and Michael Jones receive the maximum penalty for their role in a brutal dog-fighting operation. These individuals subjected dozens of innocent dogs to a life filled with cruelty, violence, and suffering. Their actions must be met with the harshest consequences to ensure they can never inflict such horror again. Dog fighting is a felony across all states, and every operation uncovered by law enforcement must be prosecuted to the fullest extent to send a clear message that such cruelty will not be tolerated.
Individuals are presumed innocent until found guilty in a court of law. Animal Victory relies upon the authorities and the court system to determine guilt or innocence.
Note: Kerry and Michael Jones are charged with cruelty to non-livestock animals and dog fighting. Both remain in the Smith County Jail on bonds totaling over $1 million.
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