Judge OKs Public Sale Of Pit Bulls Seized In Alleged Dog-Fighting Ring

This story in WRAL.com has me totally mind boggled. The U.S. must be totally different than Canada, or at least in Ontario. For one, why are these people allowed so many dogs? Is there not an enforcement as to how many pets are allowed to be owned in a household?

The other things that doesn't make sence is, the sherriff stated the county would not be able to recoup nearly $20,000 that was spent caring for the dogs. These dogs were taken away from the owner in the first place because the owner was training and using them for dog fighting.

Firstly, is that not illegal and if so, why would they be returned to be sold by the owner? You would think the county could get back some of it's money by adopting out the dogs. To return the dogs confuses me enough, but then to allow a criminal to profit from his crime doesn't make sence to me at all.

Perhaps our Countries really do differ as far as laws are concerned, but why is this guy not in jail for training and fighting dogs? If this is allowed, then it's no wonder there are so many dog attacks, but why must our bullies have to suffer the concequenses of the bad reputatation when it's owners like this that is promoting what we are fighting against and our dogs banned.

It's no wonder there are statements said that there are more bad owners than responsible ones. From where I live and what I see, I've always denied that, but from reading news articles like this, it has me wondering if perhaps I'm really nieve. I certainly hope not!

Judge OKs Public Sale Of Pit Bulls Seized In Alleged Dog-Fighting Ring

Video: Judge OKs Public Sale Of Pit Bulls Seized In Alleged Dog-Fighting Ring

JOHNSTON COUNTY, N.C. -- A Johnston County judge ruled last week that 38 pit bulls believed to be bred as part of a large dog-fighting operation can be sold to the public.

The Johnston County Sheriff's Office seized 47 of the animals from the scene of a fatal shooting near Kenly in February. In April, a judge agreed to return 38 of them to their owner, Triston Hinson, who is charged with dog fighting, or his girlfriend.

"The dogs are really not very human aggressive, they are bred to be animal aggressive, and that's precisely what they are," said Ernie Wilkinson, director of Johnston County Animal Services. "They are, in fact, animal aggressive."

The judge's ruling states that Hinson must turn over a bill of sale for each dog to the county's animal services or to the county attorney, listing the new owners' name and address. Each also has an electronic chip so that it can be identified later.

Workers at the animal shelter said they recently received a call from a woman claiming she bought 11 of the pit bulls in question, but so far, county officials said, none of the required paperwork has been received.

"There is always a concern in our mind, as animal people, that any animal that is fought for sport, that there may be a danger in this animal turning on people," Wilkinson said.

Johnston County Sheriff Steve Bizzell said he is also concerned that the dogs are being sold to just about anyone and also that the county will not be able to recoup nearly $20,000 that was spent caring for the dogs.

The future of the nine other dogs -- which were the only ones veterinarians could confirm were actually involved in fighting -- is still uncertain. Most of them are being held as evidence.

"We have eight in custody, now" Wilkinson said. "We had to euthanize one because of an incident between that and another animal."

Previous Stories:
March 10, 2006: Suspect In Dogfight-Related Shooting Arrested In Virginia
February 24, 2006: Johnston Fatal Shooting Leads Authorities To Alleged Dog-Fighting Pit
Reporter: Mike Charbonneau