From Staff Reports

Five people were arrested Wednesday on a 44-count federal indictment related to a Pensacola-based dogfighting ring, U.S. Attorney Lawrence Keefe announced Thursday.

The indictment alleges the ring, which operated under the name C Wood Kennels, arranged dogfights, allowed the dogs to attack "bait" animals and performed veterinary care without a license to avoid any suspicion that might come from taking the dogs to licensed veterinarian.

Shane Patrick Sprague, 35, and Derek Jedidiah Golson, 38, also known as Derek Jedidiah Murray, both of Pensacola, Haley Cook Murph, 24, and James “Tommy” Peek, 67, both of Milton, and David Lee Moser, 36, of Waynesboro, Tennessee, were indicted on charges in the case.

The indictment alleges that Sprague and Golson operated C Wood Kennels from April 2011 through June 2019, arranging the dogfights, allowing the attacks on bait animals and trafficking in dogs with Moser and others outside the state. The indictment also alleges Peek was a source for fighting dogs.

Murph’s role, according to the indictment, was to perform surgical procedures on the fighting dogs, including treating injured dogs and removing dogs’ ears for fighting, although Murph did not have a veterinary license. Among the equipment Murph had were skin staples and sutures, IV bags and lines, scalpels and animal steroids, according to the indictment.

The indictment also alleges that C Wood Kennels relied on the underground website Peds Online to advertise puppies, post fighting lineage and pedigrees and find buyers for stud privileges.

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“Dogfighting is a blight on humanity, one that has no place in the Northern District of Florida or anywhere else,” said U.S. Attorney Lawrence Keefe, in a statement. “We will continue to work with federal and local law enforcement agencies to root out this barbaric blood sport, in Florida and beyond.”

The group is charged under the Animal Welfare Act, which makes it a felony to sponsor or exhibit an animal in a fighting venture and to have, train, sell, buy, transfer, deliver or receive an animal to have it participate in a fighting venture.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Office of the Inspector General is continuing to investigate the case. Special Agent in Charge Bethanne M. Dinkins said in a statement that animal fighting is an investigative priority for the office.

“The provisions of the Animal Welfare Act were designed to protect animals from being used in illegal fighting ventures, which often entail other forms of criminal activity involving drugs, firearms, and gambling,” Dickins said in the statement.

If convicted, each defendant faces up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine per count.