Two suspects were arrested on multiple charges surrounding a dog fighting operation in South Seattle last Thursday.

The case began with Seattle Animal Shelter investigating neighbors’ complaints of dogs tied up and barking in the 4200 block of S Kenny St. Another complaint led to one of the dogs being recovered by a City of Seattle’s Humane Animal Law Enforcement Officer who noticed scars covering the dogs face.

The Washington State Gambling Commission and the Seattle Police Department’s Major Crimes Task Force were brought in to assist in a joint operation. During the investigation, officers found the suspect’s website describing their pit bulls having the bloodlines of famous fighting dogs and advertising dogs from these bloodlines for sale. Undercover officers set up a meeting with the suspects at a local grocery store to purchase a dog for the intended purpose of illegal animal fighting. The male suspect showed photos and a video of his dogs fighting on his phone to the undercover officer to encourage the sale.

The male suspect was subsequently arrested and search warrants were served on his residence, vehicle, trailer, and his mother’s residence. The City of Seattle’s Humane Animal Law Enforcement Officers rescued 5 dogs kept in deplorable conditions. The Washington State Gambling Commission and the Seattle Police Major Crimes Task Force seized 4 firearms, illegal dog fighting training devices, as well as $26,000 in cash.

The 30 year-old male suspect is a convicted felon and had two active warrants for his arrest in the system from 2008 from Seattle Police cases. He moved back to Seattle just last month after hiding in Louisiana for the past 7 years. His 35 year-old girlfriend was also arrested for her part in the operation. Both suspects were booked into King County Jail for Animal Cruelty, Animal Fighting, and Professional Gambling charges. The male suspect was additionally charged with Felon in Possession of Firearms.

All three agencies will continue to work together through the prosecution phase of the investigation.