Officials Investigate Suspected Dog Fighting

A horrible discovery in the Eight Mile area.
Mobile County Animal Control officials said they broke up a suspected dog fighting operation at 5641 Marshall Road on Tuesday.
They said they found more than two dozen dogs and what appeared to be a dog fighting pit.
And, when Mobile County Sheriff's Deputies arrived on the scene, they said they arrested a man for marijuana possession.
Mobile County Animal Control officials said they impounded 27 fighting dogs after an anonymous tip.
They said all of the dogs were pit bulls and pit bull mixes and officers discovered some were in bad shape.
Mobile County Humane Officer Carmelo Miranda said, "They found 3 dogs injured, one that was half-dead, barely alive, a treadmill that they use for dog fighting, and about 26 other dogs that were tied up to trees and in barrels in the woods."
Miranda also said the dog that was found half-dead, later died.
He said, "The dog does appear that he's been a dog fight recently. He bled out, bled to death. The other dogs we have had wounds, (like) swollen faces, missing eyes."
No animal abuse charges were filed Tuesday, but when sheriff's deputies said they arrived on the scene, they arrested James Hancock for marijuana possession.
Deputies said they found nine marijuana plants growing on the property.
The dogs were brought to the Mobile County Animal Shelter, but that is causing another problem.
It concerns those dogs at the shelter waiting to be adopted.
Mobile County Spokesperson Nancy Johnson said, "We are required by law to hold these (impounded) dogs for the next 20 days at least, and so we're hoping we can adopt out the dogs who are here or they're in jeopardy of being euthanized."
The shelter is located at 7665 Howells Ferry Road.