Police: 21 dogs rescued from Nashville dog fighting ring
Courtesy: Nashville Metro Police
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Metro Nashville police have made three arrests and seized 21 dogs in connection with an illegal dog fighting operation.
The Metro Nashville Police Department says in a news release that Tuesday, officers searched a house where 45-year-old John Gooch and 30-year-old James Burgess lived.
Officers found 11 adult pit bulls and 10 pit bull puppies. All of the dogs were seized by Metro Animal Control.
Detectives also found a treadmill they believe was used to condition dogs, and syringes that may have been used to administer chemicals to the animals.
Gooch and Burgess were arrested and charged with multiple counts of animal fighting and aggravated animal cruelty. Gooch's girlfriend, 40-year-old Shawn Massey, was arrested on one count of animal fighting and one count of aggravated animal cruelty.
It's unclear if Gooch, Burgess or Massey have attorneys.