KLTV 7 News Tyler, Longview, Jacksonville |Suspects In Dog Fighting Ring Arraigned Today

Suspects In Dog Fighting Ring Arraigned Today

In a Marion County courtroom this morning, twelve people were arraigned for their part in a vicious dog fighting ring.

10 women and 2 men face a third degree felony charge of engaging in organized criminal activity, and each face a bond of 50 thousand dollars.

It all started around noon Sunday, Marion County Deputies were alerted to a dog fight on a remote piece of property in the 2900 block of FM 2208. That's about four miles west of Jefferson.

Officers arrived to the dog fight unannounced, and more than a dozen suspects fled into the woods and were chased by police. The landowner, Tyrone Eugene Luster, was among those caught on the scene. He is currently being held on $52,000 bond.

Eleven people in total were arrested on the property. There deputies found a dozen dogs bloodied, and with massive wounds from fighting.

A makeshift grave was found with many dogs buried in it haphazardly. Investigators say some of the dogs died recently, but they found bones from much earlier deaths.

Guns were confiscated, a dozen cars were impounded, and suspects were caught carrying huge amounts of cash.

The SPCA of Texas took the remaining dogs into custody and will care for them at its facility near Dallas.

Investigators say more arrests are expected. Stay tuned to KLTV 7 News at 5pm, 6pm, and 10pm and KLTV.com for more information.

Cathryn Khalil, reporting. ckhalil@kltv.com