80+ dogs rescued in 'heartbreaking' conditions from organized dogfighting iin Florida: many dogs suffering from wounds, open sores, and underweight

More than 80 dogs and puppies are finally safe following a multi-property suspected dogfighting bust in Clay and Union counties, Florida, putting an end to the suffering these animals endured at the hands of a brutal and illegal industry.

Humane World for Animals assisted local authorities with the rescue at the request of the Clay County Sheriff’s Office and the Union County Sheriff’s Office. Veterinarians from the University of Florida Veterinary Forensic Sciences Laboratory also provided critical on-scene support.

Search and seizure warrants were executed early in the morning of December 10 across three properties. What responders discovered was deeply disturbing. Many dogs were chained with heavy restraints, left with plastic barrels or makeshift structures as their only shelter. Others stood in their own feces inside filthy outdoor hutches and pens. On one Union County property, two young puppies were found whimpering alone, without their mother.

Across all three locations, responders observed dogs covered in scars consistent with dogfighting. Many were severely underweight and suffering from skin disease, open sores, and fresh wounds. One dog on the Clay County property was missing his foot; veterinarians determined he had suffered a traumatic amputation that had never been medically treated.

Investigators also uncovered clear signs of organized dogfighting, including treadmills and conditioning and breeding equipment on each property, tools used to force dogs into violent combat for human profit.

“Their scars tell a heartbreaking story—the sadness and suffering these dogs have endured is unimaginable,” said Kate MacFall, Florida state director for Humane World for Animals. “This is a complex, multi-agency collaboration, and we are grateful for the Clay County Sheriff’s Office and Union County Sheriff’s Office for investigating and bringing justice to these animals.”

“We take allegations of animal abuse or dogfighting very seriously, and we are grateful to the community members who stepped forward with information that set this investigation in motion,” said Clay County Sheriff Michelle Cook. “We appreciate the USDA and its agents for their dedicated investigative efforts, and we extend our thanks to Humane World for Animals for their invaluable assistance.”

Dogfighting inflicts horrific and often fatal injuries, including deep puncture wounds, broken bones, severe bruising, and internal trauma. Many dogs do not die during the fight itself, but later from dehydration, infection, blood loss, exhaustion, or shock. These dogs are deliberately bred and conditioned for violence from birth, the start of a lifetime defined by cruelty.

Humane World for Animals has documented that organized dogfighting frequently overlaps with other serious crimes, including weapons offenses, gambling, drug trafficking, and violence. Dogfighting is a felony offense, punishable by up to five years in prison for operating fights or for possessing, training, selling, transporting, or breeding dogs for fighting.

This year alone, Humane World for Animals has assisted authorities in Florida, South Carolina, and Indiana with the rescue of nearly 200 dogs from 12 properties linked to suspected dogfighting operations.

Following this rescue, Furry Friends Humane is transporting the dogs to a secure, confidential location, where Humane World for Animals responders and volunteers will provide urgent medical care, nourishment, and comfort. RedRover Responders volunteers will also assist with daily care as the dogs begin their long road to recovery.

Thanks to swift action and collaboration, these dogs will no longer be forced to suffer for a sick and violent industry. World Animal News is grateful to everyone involved in this lifesaving rescue, including Humane World for Animals, RedRover Responders, Furry Friends Humane, and the Clay County and Union County Sheriff’s Offices, as well as the investigators and community members whose courage helped bring this cruelty to an end.