Joint Investigation Uncovers Dog Fighting Ring and Drug Operation in Pinellas County
TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — A collaborative effort between the St. Petersburg Police Department and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement has resulted in the arrest of at least 11 individuals linked to a drug and dog fighting ring. The operation, dubbed “Operation Pedigree,” stemmed from a narcotics investigation initiated in November 2023.
During a news conference on Tuesday, St. Pete Police Chief Anthony Holloway detailed the extensive results of the operation, which led to multiple arrests and the seizure of various illegal items. Among the confiscated items were drugs, firearms, money, and a significant number of dogs.
Detectives uncovered the connection between a “known fentanyl dealer” and the dog fighting activities in April. This individual was reportedly involved in dog fighting across several counties in Florida and even extending into Georgia.
Footage from a police raid revealed the deplorable conditions in which the dogs were kept. The video showed dogs confined in crowded kennels within a home and its backyard, indicating severe neglect and abuse.
Chief Holloway shared poignant images of one particular dog, taken a year apart, to illustrate the cruelty inflicted on the animals. The first image showed a healthy puppy on the day of its adoption from a local shelter. The second image, taken a year later, depicted the same dog with severe injuries, having been used as a “bait dog” in fights.
According to Holloway, spectators paid $200 to attend these brutal fights and used large quantities of illegal drugs to place bets on the outcomes. The investigation led to the rescue of 111 dogs, along with the seizure of guns, drugs, and money.
“These narcotics are about more than just narcotics,” Holloway emphasized. “It has to do with human trafficking, it has to do with our shootings. It has to do with any crime you can predict in Pinellas County. It goes back to those drugs.”
In total, six individuals have been charged with animal baiting and fighting, as well as conspiracy charges related to gambling. Furthermore, six people were rescued from human trafficking situations at one of the searched homes, while five others were charged with trafficking fentanyl.
This operation highlights the intricate connections between various criminal activities and underscores the need for comprehensive law enforcement efforts to tackle these issues.
