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JORGE AYALA wanted by Turlock Police as suspect in a dogfighting case where 73 dogs were rescued

Updated: Apr 6, 2024

- California, USA -

 

~ Update: April 6, 2024

 

I have heard back from the Turlock Police Department and I was told that “ There were no deceased animals found at the residence at the time of the search warrant. There was one emaciated puppy that has unfortunately passed away since being taken to Animal Services. None of the rescued dogs have been euthanized.”

 

I took the liberty of naming the deceased puppy Blossom for the tribute image.

 

~ Original story:


The Turlock Police Department needs the public’s assistance to locate 46-years-old JORGE AYALA (pictured).

 

Police said in a media release that AYALA is the suspect of an investigation that led to the rescue of seventy-three (73) INNOCENT dogs, all Pitbull mixes.

 

The investigation began in early March 2024, after Turlock Animal Services became suspicious of three homes in the 400 block of S. First Street in Turlock when officers saw ten dogs tethered outside. (In the state of California, it is illegal to tie your dog to any stationary object for more than a 3-hour period within 24 hours.)

 

After further investigation and surveillance of the homes, on March 28, 2024, a search warrant was served at the three residences “for an alleged animal cruelty investigation and possible dogfighting”, stated the release.

 

Along with patrol and Animal Services, Turlock Police Department Detectives and the Special Investigations Unit (S.I.U.) found and rescued a total of seventy-three (73) dogs from the three properties. Police said the living conditions the Voiceless Victims were living in were “deplorable and inhumane.” Some of the dogs were pregnant and close to giving birth.

 

The innocent souls were stuffed in small crates that could only house one small dog and did not have any access to water or food. Each crate was stacked on top of each other.

 

All of the furvictims were seized as evidence and taken to the shelter where they have been evaluated by a veterinarian and treated for any injuries or diseases.

 

Police said that due to the high number of dogs at the shelter and limited space, Turlock Police Animal Services will not be accepting owner surrenders until further notice. Additionally, Animal Services are asking for the community’s assistance in adopting ten dogs who are not part of the investigation. All fees will be waived. 

 

As for AYALA, police said his whereabouts are currently unknown. Anyone with information is asked to call Detective Ulrich at (209) - 668 - 6570 or the Turlock Police Department’s Tip Line at (209) - 668 - 5550 extension 6780.  Alternatively, you can email your tip. Thank you!

 

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Voice For Us Disclaimer: This story is sourced from the press release by the Turlock Police Department. Link included.

Please note that details may be removed or new information added should updates become available.

In the case of charges being dropped, dismissed, or the case being purged, this article will be rectified accordingly, if official documentation is provided to Voice For Us.

 




 
 
 

CLAUDE ANTHONY SANDERS JR, convicted felon, arrested for dogfighting

- North Carolina, USA -

 

The Iredell County Sheriff’s Office announced the arrest of 46-years-old CLAUDE ANTHONY SANDERS JR (pictured).

 

In a media release, the sheriff’s office said that an investigation into SANDERS began after authorities identified him as “a key figure in the training, distributing, and arranging of dog fights in North Carolina, South Carolina, and other states.”

 

The investigation led to the execution of a search warrant on February 1, 2024, at a property on 196 Whitney Lane in Statesville.

 

Members of the Iredell County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Unit and Criminal Investigations Division, along with members of the Iredell County Sheriff’s Office Emergency Response (SERT) Team found many dogs who were being kept in deplorable conditions.

 

According to the media release, “A large number of the dogs were kept in outside kennels, and most of these were covered in feces and urine. Several of the dogs had obvious scars and facial injuries from previous dog fights. There were also signs of forced breeding and various exercise equipment to develop strength and stamina, which aid in dog fighting.”

 

In addition to numerous items used to train dogs to fight, medication and treatment supplies for injured dogs, the search led to the discovery of marijuana and a handgun.

 

Investigators removed twenty-five (25) dogs from the hellish property.

 

SANDERS was placed under arrest and booked into the Iredell County Detention Center on twenty-four felony counts of cruelty to animals as well as Felony Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon, and Misdemeanor Possession of Marijuana.

SANDERS was then taken before Magistrate M. Nethken who issued a $200,000 secured bond.

Online records show SANDERS bonded out!

 

I have emailed the Iredell County Sheriff’s Office to inquire about the dogs and the good news is that “No dogs were found deceased on the property” and “No dogs have been euthanized.”

 

Disclaimer: This story is sourced from the official press release by the Iredell County Sheriff’s Office provided to Voice For Us.

Please note that details may be removed or new information added should updates become available.

In the case of charges being dropped, dismissed, or the case being purged, this article will be rectified accordingly, if official documentation is provided to Voice For Us.

 

 

SANDERS’ mugshot shared from the Iredell County Sheriff’s Office.





 
 
 

RANDALL LARRY THAXTON sentenced to five years in prison for dogfighting and animal cruelty

- Georgia, USA -

 

The Cherokee County District Attorney’s Office announced that on Friday, January 12, 2024, in Cherokee County Superior Court, 59 RANDALL LARRY THAXTON (pictured) was sentenced after being found guilty of running a dogfighting operation out of his Canton home.

 

On December 8, 2023, after about three hours of jury deliberation, THAXTON was found guilty of nine counts of dogfighting and seven counts of cruelty to animals.

 

Superior Court Judge Tony Baker sentenced THAXTON to twenty (20) years in prison, with the first five years to be served behind bars.

THAXTON was ordered to pay $45,000 in fines and to serve 360 hours of mandatory community service. Additionally, according to the DA’s Office, THAXTON is forbidden from “owning”, “possessing”, or breeding dogs and may not have contact with any known dogfighters or people who attend dogfights.

 

It all started in November 2022, when Cherokee and Paulding County authorities received a tip about possible dogfighting activity.

 

The Cherokee County Marshals conducted a welfare check at a home on Union Hill Road in Canton and reported “signs that Thaxton was possibly involved in dog fighting.”

According to the Cherokee County District Attorney’s Office, “Officers noticed that eight of his dogs were tethered outside with heavy logging chains commonly used by dog fighters. The dogs were chained close to each other but just out of reach, a tactic that serves to build dog aggression. These signs of dog fighting, along with additional investigation, led to the Marshal’s Office following up with a search warrant.”

 

A search warrant executed at the home on December 6, 2022, led to the discovery of items associated with dog fighting. Authorities found steroids, a break stick, medical supplies for treating wounds, a journal with animal workout regimens, documents linking dogs to other dog fighters, contracts for dog sales, and a dog fighting creed.

 

The DA’s Office said that the veterinarian who examined the Voiceless Victims “found that they had skin infections, rashes around their necks from their collars, and swollen paw pads.”

 

THAXTON was placed under arrest and all the furvictims were taken to the Cherokee County Animal Shelter where a pregnant dog gave birth to puppies soon afterward.

 

Animal Crimes Resource Prosecutor Jessica Rock said in a statement: “Dog fighters operate hidden in plain sight, in an organized, criminal enterprise that includes breeding and selling dogs, training dogs, hosting and spectating violent fights, and fighting dogs to the point of exhaustion or serious injury. It is a despicable activity that is incredibly cruel to the dogs. By prosecuting dog fighters, we bring this underground world to light, ensure that these dogs receive the justice they deserve, and work toward someday completely eradicating this crime.”

 

Assistant District Attorney Rachel Murphy said evidence suggested THAXTON may have been involved in dogfighting for decades.

 

Cherokee County District Attorney Susan Treadaway stated: “Let this be a clear message that Cherokee County will not accept or condone 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.”

 

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.

 

 

THAXTON’s mugshot via the Cherokee County Sheriff's Office


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