Man Arrested And 106 Dogs Rescued After Sadistic Dogfighting Operation Discovered

Published: August 05, 2022 at 03:05 PM Author: PENNY EIMS

Paulding County, Georgia – A Georgia man is facing felony charges for running a sadistic dogfighting operation. According to a news release from the Paulding County Sheriff’s Office, 55-year-old Vincent Lemark Burrell was arrested at his residence in Dallas, Georgia, on November 8 following a lengthy investigation that ties him to breeding, training and facilitating more than 100 dogs for dog fighting.

After securing search warrants, detectives found 106 dogs, mostly pit bulls, at Burrell’s 1040 Old Cartersville Road residence. According to the authorities, the dogs were in various “states of existence.” Some dogs were emaciated, and others were described as “strong and extremely aggressive toward other dogs.”

The news release describes the pitiful existence the dogs were forced to endure:

Dogs were tied to trees, tied to metal stobs in the ground, and were kept without being properly hydrated and fed. These animals were tied to various things using large and extremely heavy logging chains and thick collars.

Many of these dogs were basically left in the elements with little to no shelter for days on end.

They continue:

Some of the dogs were housed in the basement of the home where the presence (along with the odor) of urine and feces was so strong, authorities had to wear protective equipment just to be able safely enter the home.

Conditions where dogs were being housed, both inside and on the exterior of this property, were not fit for humans, much less dogs.

Sheriff Gary Gulledge commented on the cruel situation:

“In cases like these, we have to conduct a lengthy and thorough investigation. This is not something that we can just put together in a few days, cases like these are comprehensive and require us to work with many local, state, and federal entities. I am proud of the teamwork that has been exhibited in this case and I am thankful that these dogs are safe now. The dark and sinister world of dog fighting is a despicable culture that has no place in our world”

Individuals who participate in dogfighting activities do not care about the pain and suffering they inflict on the animals who are earning them money. The dogs who are maimed in fights rarely receive treatment for their wounds – in fact, it is common for the injured dogs to either be left to suffer or to be destroyed. Despite the abhorrent conditions these dogs are forced to endure, most somehow manage to maintain their sweet demeanor. The authorities said that the dogs found at Burrell’s property were seeking kindness. The authorities said, “The sad part is that the vast majority of these animals just craved the love and attention of the Deputies and Detectives that were on the scene.”

Of note, from the sheriff’s office: Burrell is currently being held in the Paulding County Jail without bond. Although this investigation is still in its infancy, we expect over one hundred additional counts against Burrell as this case continues to unfold. All of the dogs were placed with rescue agencies in order to facilitate their rehabilitation.

If you are as sickened by dogfighting as we are, please add your name to the petition today! Countless dogs suffered because of Vincent Burrell’s despicable operation and they deserve justice.

We the undersigned demand that Vincent Lemark Burrell is held responsible for his part in this sadistic dogfighting operation. We are heartbroken by the conditions these dogs had to live in, and appalled by the brutal acts they were forced to do. Animal Victory and its supporters are petitioning for Burrell to receive the maximum punishment allowable by law for his felony charges of Cruelty to Animals and Dog Fighting (as well as for each and every anticipated charge yet to be made), in addition to a lifelong ban from animal ownership. It is our firm belief that animal abusers must be held accountable for their actions and that the punishment must be sufficient to deter them from engaging in further criminal activity.

Note: Individuals are presumed innocent until they have been found guilty in a court of law. Animal Victory relies upon the authorities and the court system to determine guilt or innocence.

News:

NBC News

WAFF News

NY Post

Final Update 2/1/2025: HUGE VICTORY! On January 30, Vincent Lemark Burrell, 57, was sentenced to 475 years in prison; the maximum penalty possible under the law. Lead prosecutor K.C. Pagnotta said, “It is time as a society that we step up and stop the abuse and mistreatment of innocent animals. Ordinary citizens can play a part in stopping animal abuse by recognizing signs of dog fighting and reporting concerns to law enforcement.” Animal Victory thanks everyone who added their name to the petition, helping to make Burrell’s impressive prison sentence a reality.

475 years in prison after being convicted of 93 felony counts of dog fighting and 10 misdemeanor counts of animal cruelty in Paulding County, Georgia, a suburb about 35 miles northwest of Atlanta. The details of the case came to light in court documents obtained by USA Today.

Each dog fighting charge added five years to his sentence, and each animal cruelty charge added a year, thereby leading to this extraordinary sentence. Prosecutor Jessica Rock tells 11 Alive News, “We can put a separate count for each dog, and then a judge can max the person out for each count. That’s exactly what happened in this case.” 

Read more about this incredible sentence at this link.

 

Update 02/05/20245: Petition sent to court and District Attorney.

Update 01/12/2024: Animal Victory spoke with Karin Murphy, Legal Assistant to ADA K.C. Patnotta. Vincent Lemark Burrell was indicted on 12/20/2023. His new case #23CR000842. 

Update 12/11/2023: Vincent Lemark Burrell is now facing both federal charges and state charges. He did bond out. The State court case is 22PAU02116.

Update 7/28/2023: As of July 28, the District Attorney has confirmed this case has not moved over to the courts yet.

Update 12/1/2022: The investigation is ongoing; no court date has been scheduled.

 

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