Heavy chains found around the necks of the rescued dogs from an alleged dogfighting operation in north Tyler were used to keep them restrained and build muscle for fighting. (Nicholas Pet Haven Facebook/Contributed Photo)

Nearly 60 dogs were rescued this week from an alleged dogfighting operation in rural Tyler. Now, facilities are asking the public for help as dogs while a criminal investigation is underway.

Here’s what we know so far.

What happened?

Sixty-one animals – 59 dogs, two cats – were rescued from a mobile home on County Road 4136. Smith County Animal Control was called out to the property Monday after an anonymous tipster told officials they believed dogs were living in horrible conditions and a dog was possibly eating another.

Animal control officers arrived at the 9-acre property to find dozens of injured dogs. Some were confined in cages or make-shift kennels while others were found in a shed, tied to treadmills where they were being forced to “work out” with heavy weights on their necks, police said. The dogs had no ventilation or air conditioning in 85-degree weather and were susceptible to heat stroke or death, an investigator said in an arrest affidavit. Others were chained in the yard.

The dogs were malnourished with their ribs showing, according to the affidavit. Smith County Animal Control Supervisor Amber Greene said the animals had no access to clean water.

Many of the dogs had fresh injuries with visible blood and scars “consistent with being fought,” the affidavit states. Injuries ranged from minor to severe; one dog had part of its bottom jaw missing while another had its nose removed, possibly from a bite, the document states. Others had scars. Some of the dogs were lethargic and unable to move.

Evidence of dogfighting ring

After a search warrant was executed, police searched a large wooden building that appeared to be under construction. Inside the building was mostly empty and there was a rectangular area that was boxed in with walls and carpet, which had “dark red stains consistent with dried blood,” according to the affidavit. Police said it looked as though the building was being used as “a fighting arena.”

Police also found bite or break sticks commonly used to break a dog’s bite, with bite marks showing they had been used; weighted collars used to strengthen fighting dogs; and multiple vials and syringes of canine medicines including tranquilizer.

Without knowing the extent of what she would find, Cindy Nash, of Nicholas Pet Haven, was permitted by officials to inspect the property. She saw evidence of disturbing abuse.

“I couldn’t believe what I was looking at,” she said. “My God … there were puppies being used as bait … some of these dogs are being trained to tear them apart.”

Where are the dogs now?

Smith County Animal Control took in 61 animals from the property — 55 are now at the shelter, and six are being cared for at Spence and White Veterinary Hospital in Tyler.

“The dogs are all good and are getting the much-needed food and vet care that they need,” said Greene.

While the dogs are not aggressive toward people, Greene said many are aggressive to other dogs and therefore must be held in separate kennels at the shelter.

The rescued dogs cannot be adopted at this time and must remain in animal control custody, as they are considered “evidence” while the dogfighting investigation remains underway.

The shelter is now caring for 95 animals, which is far beyond the facility and staff capacity level. Due to the shelter’s overcrowding, it is unable to accept any additional animals at this time.

“We desperately need to get our available-for-adoption dogs into loving homes to free up space so we can respond to calls from the Smith County community,” Greene said.

Thirty-two dogs, who were already housed at the shelter, are available for adoption. If they are not adopted quickly, they are at risk of being euthanized. Greene said while the need is urgent, there is not a set date for euthanasia.

For information on adopting, call the Smith County Animal Control administrative office at 903-266-4303. The shelter is located at 322 East Ferguson St. in Tyler and is open 1 to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Adoption applications can be filled out and emailed to shelter@smith-county.com after business hours.

The accused

Police have arrested two brothers in the case.

Kerry Jermon Isiah Jones, 34, was on site during the initial call and search warrant. He told police he owned the property and all the dogs other than the “bully” breeds, but wouldn’t answer any further questions without a lawyer, the affidavit states. His brother Michael Cameron Jones, 31, told police he was the co-owner of the property and owner of the “bully” dogs.

Both have been arrested in the case and remain in the Smith County Jail on bonds of $560,000 and $500,000, respectively, as of Wednesday afternoon. Michael faces a charge of cruelty to non-livestock animals by fighting or luring, while Kerry faces a charge of cruelty to non-livestock animals/failure to provide, and a charge of dogfighting (participating in earnings/providing building).

The suspects are expected to appear in court Wednesday, Sept. 18, according to online court records.

History of calls

The arrest affidavit reveals officers had been called out to this home before to investigate reports of possible dogfighting, but “no dogs or corroborating evidence could be located on the property” until Monday, the document states.

Illegal practice

In these illegal operations, people arrange for dogs to fight at venues for gambling and entertainment purposes, according to the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas.

Under federal law, it is illegal to fight dogs in a venture that affects interstate commerce and to possess, train, transport, deliver, sell, purchase or receive dogs for fighting purposes.

In Texas, a dogfighting offense can be a misdemeanor or state jail felony. In the case of these charges, it is a state jail felony, according to Texas Penal Code.

Dogfighting is a misdemeanor for anyone who owns or possesses dogfighting equipment with the intent that the equipment be used to train a dog for fighting; owns or trains a dog with the intent that it be used to fight; or attends as a spectator an exhibit of dogfighting. However, the charge is a state jail felony when a person intentionally and knowingly causes a dog to fight with another dog; participates in the earnings or operates a facility used for dogfighting; or uses or permits another to use any real estate, building, room, tent, arena or other property for dogfighting.

If convicted of the felony, a suspect could face a fine of up to $10,000 and jail time of up to two years.

A cruelty to non-livestock animals charge can be a misdemeanor, second- or third-degree felony, or state jail felony depending on the circumstances. For example, failure to provide necessary food, water, care and shelter is a Class A misdemeanor, while causing an animal to fight with another or using a live animal as a lure in dog training makes the charge a state jail felony.

How to help

The main thing animal organizations are asking for during this time is for residents to foster or adopt animals currently in their care to free up space for the injured dogs that were rescued this week.

For information on any of the 30-plus adoptable dogs at the county shelter, call the Smith County Animal Control administrative office at 903-266-4303. Fosters are also needed. The shelter is located at 322 East Ferguson St. in Tyler. Adoptable dogs can also be seen online at https://www.smith-county.com/government/departments/animal-control/animal-listings .

“… We need fosters to provide care and help us find permanent homes for the dogs that are already in the shelters while the others are awaiting adjudication,” said Dr. Gary Spence of Spence and White Veterinary Hospital, who has been caring for the injured dogs.

Nicholas Pet Haven, an animal welfare nonprofit in Tyler, is accepting donations to go toward the affected dogs’ veterinary care. Donate via PayPal at PayPal.me/nicholaspethaven, call 903-312-7585, or visit the facility at 12903 Hwy 155 South in Tyler. Supplies needed are bleach, paper towels, heavy duty trash bags, Clorox wipes, newspapers, blankets and any other cleaning items. Donors can leave the donations on the porch if the facility is not open.

The nonprofit has 90 dogs in their care and encourages anyone interested to fill out a foster application; visit tinyurl.com/NicholasPetHavenFosterApp to apply.

“The outpouring and support from the public has been so tremendous,” Nash said Wednesday. “It’s very heartwarming knowing so many support these abused babies! We are going through (applications) as quickly as possible and have approximately 25.”

The goal is to find foster homes for animals so that, when the time comes, they will have more room to bring in the ones that were rescued this week.

“We are working with our rescue partners up north to move the dogs that are already at Smith County Animal Control so none have to be euthanized for space due to the large amount coming in from the dogfighting facility,” the organization said on its Facebook page. “We are asking for short-term fosters, monetary donations for vetting, and supplies.”

Missing animals

Nicholas Pet Haven has received calls from community members who have missing dogs, checking to see if their dogs could be among the ones who were seized. Nash says the best thing to do is message a photo to the nonprofit’s Facebook page (www.facebook.com/nicholaspethaven) so they can check.