~ Update: February 1, 2025
The Paulding District Attorney's Office announced that on January 30, 2025, Superior Court Judge Dean C. Bucci sentenced 57-year-old VINCENT LEMARK BURRELL (pictured), “to serve 475 years in prison, the maximum sentence possible.”
District Attorney Robert S. Lane said that following a four-day-long jury trial that ended on January 30, 2025, BURRELL “was found guilty of 103 counts, 93 counts of Dog Fighting and 10 counts of Cruelty to Animals.”
The courtroom was full on Thursday and it wasn’t just animal advocates that were happy for the sentence. As reported by 11 Alive, to emphasize the significance of the case, prosecutors ensured the presence of one of the Voiceless Victims who was rescued from BURRELL’s property. Baby Shark (pictured smiling) was only eight weeks old when authorities rescued her.
The lead Prosecutor on the case K.C. Pagnotta said: “Let this be a clear message that Paulding County will not accept or condone the inhumane treatment of animals – especially the violence and abuse associated with dog fighting. It is time as a society that we step up and stop the abuse and mistreatment of innocent animals. Ordinary citizens can play a part in stopping the abuse of animals by recognizing signs of dog fighting and reporting concerns to law enforcement.”
Following a lengthy investigation, Detectives with the Paulding County Sheriff’s Office arrested 55-years-old VINCENT LEMARK BURRELL (pictured), for his role in a massive dogfighting operation.
Paulding County Animal Control, the Paulding County Marshal’s Bureau, and the Paulding County Sheriff’s Office, utilizing legal advice and assistance from the Paulding County District Attorney’s Office, secured multiple search warrants in reference to BURRELL’s home on 1040 Old Cartersville Road in Dallas.
In a news release, the Paulding County Sheriff’s Office said that BURRELL was arrested on November 8, 2022, for breeding, training, and facilitating over one hundred Pitbulls in conjunction with dogfighting at his home.
Detectives discovered 106 dogs, mostly Pitbulls, “in various degrees of existence”. Some of the dogs were emaciated, while others were strong and extremely aggressive toward other dogs.
As indicated in the release, the dogs were tied to trees and metal stubs in the ground using large and extremely heavy logging chains and thick collars.
The furbabies were kept without being properly hydrated, fed, and left in the elements with little to no shelter for days on end. Furthermore, these dogs were not being seen on a regular basis or vaccinated by a veterinarian.
The sheriff’s office said that some of the dogs were housed in the basement of the home where the odor of urine and feces was so strong, authorities had to wear protective equipment.
“Conditions where dogs were being housed, both inside and on the exterior of this property, were not fit for humans, much less dogs,” stated the release.
A total of 106 dogs were rescued from BURRELL’s hellish home and were placed with various rescue facilities where they can begin their rehabilitation.
When I asked the Paulding County Sheriff’s Office whether any deceased dogs were found on the property, thankfully, the answer was no dead dogs were located.
I also asked the sheriff’s office whether any of the rescued dogs will be euthanized as it often happens in dogfighting cases and I was happy to learn that all the dogs can be rehabilitated.
As the sheriff’s office said: “The sad part is that the vast majority of these animals just craved the love and attention of the Deputies and Detectives that were on the scene.”
Paulding County Sheriff Gary Gulledge stated: “In cases like these, we have to conduct a lengthy and thorough investigation. This is not something that we can just put together in a few days, cases like these are comprehensive and require us to work with many local, state, and federal entities. I am proud of the teamwork that has been exhibited in this case and I am thankful that these dogs are safe now. The dark and sinister world of dog fighting is a despicable culture that has no place in our world.”
Online arrest records show that BURRELL is charged with one felony count of dogfighting and one felony count of aggravated cruelty to animals.
I also asked the sheriff’s office whether charges are pending against other parties and I was told: “Thus far, there are no other individuals being charged.”
BURRELL is currently being held in the Paulding County Jail without bond. The sheriff’s office said over one hundred additional counts are expected against BURRELL as this case continues to unfold.
Detectives encourage anyone who has any information about this case to please call the Paulding County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Tip Line at (770) - 443 - 3047 or submit a tip through the Paulding Sheriff mobile app. Thank you!
Voice For Us Disclaimer: This story is sourced from official news outlets. Links included.
Details may be removed or additional information may be provided in future should such sources report an update.
Mugshot provided to Voice For Us by the Paulding County Sheriff’s Office.
