Statesville Man Facing 24 Counts Of Animal Cruelty For Illegal Dog Fighting

STATESVILLE, N.C. – A Statesville man is facing a litany of charges after allegedly organizing illegal dog fights, according to the Iredell County Sheriff’s Office.

Authorities identified Claude Sanders, 46, as a prominent figure in training dogs and arranging illegal dog fights in North Carolina, South Carolina and other states.

Following an investigation into an illegal dog fighting scheme, deputies executed a search warrant at 196 Whitney Lane in Statesville on Thursday, February 1st. Police seized 25 dogs along with multiple items used to train dogs to fight, medication for dogs, and a handgun.

Police say that most of the dogs were kept in outside kennels and covered in feces and urine. Many of the dogs had scars on their faces from previous fights.

Sanders was arrested on-scene and charged with 24 counts of cruelty to animals, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and possession of marijuana.

He appeared before a magistrate and was issued a $200,000 secured bond.