Ex-NFL player convicted in huge dog-fighting ring
Federal agents seized 190 dogs from Leshon Eugene Johnson’s Oklahoma home, the most ever taken from a single person in a federal dogfighting case.
A jury has convicted a former National Football League running back player for operating a large-scale dogfighting kennel, federal prosecutors announced.
Leshon Eugene Johnson, 54, who played for the Green Bay Packers, the Arizona Cardinals and the New York Giants, was found guilty on six felony counts of violating the federal Animal Welfare Act’s prohibitions against “possessing, selling, transporting, and delivering animals to be used in fighting ventures,” the Department of Justice said. He was acquitted of 17 other similar counts.
“This conviction sends a strong message that those who abuse animals for entertainment and profit will face serious consequences under federal law,” said Assistant Attorney General Adam Gustafson of the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division (ENRD).
“This criminal profited off of the misery of innocent animals and he will face severe consequences for his vile crimes,” said Attorney General Pamela Bondi.
Johnson could face up to five years in prison and a fine of $250,000 on each count when he’s formally sentenced at a later date that is yet to be announced.
Federal agents seized 190 dogs from Johnson’s Oklahoma home in October, the most ever taken from a single person in a federal dogfighting case, according to officials.
Operating under the name 'Mal Kant Kennels,' Johnson allegedly bred and sold 'champion' and 'grand champion' pit bulls that had won as many as five fights, while also raising fighting dogs himself.
During the trial, prosecutors claimed the trafficking scheme helped to grow the dogfighting industry across the US, earning him an estimated $400,000 over four years through the sale of fighting dogs, their offspring, and stud rights.
Jurors were shown videos and photos from a group chat involving Mr. Johnson that, according to authorities, documented dogfighting taking place at his home and farm. Some of the footage included graphic images of injured and dead dogs.
A suspected victim of dogfighting whom PETA staffers were able to rescue with the help of local law enforcement officials.
“Dog fighting is a vicious and cruel crime that has no place in a civilized society,” said U.S. Attorney Christopher J. Wilson for the Eastern District of Oklahoma.
Johnson previously pleaded guilty to similar but unrelated state dogfighting charges for operating the 'Krazyside Kennels' dogfighting, for which he was given a five-year deferred sentence.
According to sports publication ESPN, Johnson was a third-round selection by the Green Bay Packers in the 1994 draft, and also played for the Arizona Cardinals and New York Giants.
Dog fighting in the US
Authorities and animal welfare groups say that dog fighting is widespread across the country and much more common than people think.
It is estimated that there are tens of thousands of individuals forcing hundreds of thousands of dogs to train, fight, and suffer every year in the US, according to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA).
Dog fighting rings can involve a network with hundreds of dogs. The animals are often kept in horrific conditions, given steroids and other drugs, and forced into physical training that can include treadmills and weighted collars. Dogs will often be made to fight until one of the animals is killed.
The blood sport continues to take place across the country despite dog fighting being a felony in all 50 states. Under federal law, it is illegal to possess, train, transport, deliver, sell, purchase, or receive dogs for fighting purposes.
However, increased law enforcement and pursuing jail time for offenders is helping to tackle the practice.
A high-profile case last year saw a former Pentagon official plead guilty for leading a dogfighting network in Maryland for over 20 years. Frederick Douglass Moorfield Jr., admitted to training dogs for fighting, gambling on staged battles between dogs, and selling seasoned fighting dogs to others in the dogfighting network. He was sentenced to 18 months in federal prison and a $20,000 fine.
Earlier this year, a US man based in Georgia was sentenced to serve 475 years in prison after being found guilty of 93 counts of Dog Fighting.
Alexandra Horowitz is a #1 New York Times bestselling author of Inside of a Dog: What Dogs See, Smell, and Know; Our Dogs, Ourselves; Being a Dog: Following the Dog Into a World of Smell; and On Looking. Learn more about our canine companions by listening to the Species Unite podcast episode with Alexandra here.
We Have A Favor To Ask…
Species Unite amplifies well-researched solutions to some of the most abusive animal industries operating today.
At this crucial moment, with worldwide momentum for change building, it’s vital we share these animal-free solutions with the world - and we need your help.
We’re a nonprofit, and so to keep sharing these solutions, we’re relying on you - with your support, we can continue our essential work in growing a powerful community of animal advocates this year.
More stories:
Federal agents seized 190 dogs from Leshon Eugene Johnson’s Oklahoma home, the most ever taken from a single person in a federal dogfighting case.