Police Intensify Battle Against Increase In Dog Fighting

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by Photographer Adam Stevens
by Kirk Hawkins
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Story Created: Feb 10, 2013 at 10:13 PM EDT

Story Updated: Feb 11, 2013 at 8:09 AM EDT

CHARLOTTE, N.C.--Megan Masters says Jo Jo is on the road to recovery at Project Halo's Animal Shelter and Sanctuary in West Charlotte after she was abused by a breeder. "She's just a dog. She just wants to be loved and she has unconditional love to give in return," said Masters.

27 dogs like Jojo were seized from a suspected dog fighting compound in East Charlotte on Friday. CMPD says it was operated by 42 year old Lefonze Williams and 46 year old Melvin Smith. Just two weeks ago Cyril Baldeagle and Daran Goines were arrested at a home in Northwest Charlotte. They are accused of running a dog fighting operation.

Felony dog fighting charges only mean a sentence of between four and ten months behind bars in North Carolina. Because of that, Michael Davis says these rings aren't going to stop anytime soon.
He head's up the North American Pit Bull Terrier Association. "Until we can start holding these guys accountable, it's a slap on the wrist and we're gonna continue to have dog fighting around the country," he said.

Masters says dogs like Jo Jo are proof that penalties for animal abusers need to be changed. "We have to make sure that they get punished and make sure that they serve their time and that these dogs don't pay with their lives for something someone did to them," she said.
One success story, while other victims aren't always so lucky.

The East Charlotte suspects are scheduled to appear before a judge Monday afternoon.

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