May 22, 2005 Rockford Dogfight Bust - First Bust of Modern Era

Rockford - "Ten days ago, locl law enforcement officials found what they believe is evidence of a major dogfighting operation at a home on West State Street.  There to arrest a man on federal charges of credit card fraud, they discovered a makeshtip fighting pit in the home's basement; a stash of veterinary supplies, including syringes, training devices, 18 pit bull terriers, some with visible wounds on their front legs, wooden huts with heavy chains, signature housing for fighting dogs, a mound of paperwork and two computers, all of which was seized.


Then, less than 24 hours later, six of the dogs were stolen from the animal shelter - just another sign, experts say, that this was a dogfighting ring.

Not only was the discovery a first for the Rockford area, it was one of the largest busts in Illinois and neighboring states in the past year.  And it confirmed what officials had feared - organized dogfighting had found a home in Winnebago County."

The article states that this was the first bust in Rockford, but Rockford actually has a big history of loving dogfighting.

Rockford Register Star, Rockford, IL, May 22, 2005, p. 1D

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