NEW YORK, February 4. /TASS/. A resident of the US state of Georgia has been sentenced to 475 years in prison for facilitating dog fights and abusing animals, NBC News reported, citing State Animal Crimes Prosecutor Jessica Rock.
According to the official, in November 2022, the authorities seized 107 dogs from the residence of 57-year-old Vincent Lemark Burrell. Charges were subsequently filed against him. According to the media outlet, the place lacked food, water and shelter for dogs, and some of the animals were found with signs of abuse, scars and removed teeth. Some dogs were found in a basement, while others were tied up with heavy chains close to each other, "a tactic that serves to make dogs more aggressive," the district attorney's office said.
According to the sheriff’s office, Burrell was arrested on the day of the search but claimed innocence. He was later charged with facilitating dog fights and abusing animals. During a search of his property, police found evidence that he was training dogs to fight. This included treadmills for dogs, veterinary medications and documents linking him to other "known dog fighters."
After Burrell was convicted by a jury, a court sentenced him to 475 years in prison, the longest sentence ever handed down for dog fighting.
The dogs were seized under a federal warrant, and taken in by the Friends of the Forlorn Animal Rescue non-profit organization.