TYLER, Texas — Two brothers accused of running a dogfighting ring in Smith County were indicted on multiple charges last week.
Michael Cameron Jones, 31, and Kerry Jones, 35, both of Tyler, are each facing one count of animal cruelty and two counts of dogfighting (participating in the earnings and providing a building). The indictments came down on Thursday, Oct. 31.
The brothers were arrested in September after the Smith County Sheriff's Office found 59 injured dogs and dogfighting equipment on their property. Documents show the dogs had injuries ranging from severe to minor and scars consistent with fighting. The dogs were allegedly kept in cages or on chains in the yard.
According to arrest documents, on Sept. 9, officers responded to calls about a dog eating the carcass of a dead dog on County Road 4136. Law enforcement found over 40 dogs in poor condition at the address, and had reason to believe they were involved in a dogfighting ring. The arrest affidavit said the address had been under investigation previously for a possible dogfighting ring.
Many of the dogs were locked in cages and malnourished. The animals also had fresh injuries and visible blood and scars consistent with fighting, the affidavit showed. Some reportedly appeared lethargic and unable to move. One dog was found with part of its bottom jaw missing and another looked to have had its nose removed from a possible dog bite.
Among the equipment found at the property was:
- Three treadmills altered for use by dogs
- Two bite sticks used to break a dog's fight with bite marks showing they had been used
- Weighted collars used to strengthen fighting dogs
- Multiple empty vials and syringes of canine medicines including tranquilizer
- A building containing what appeared to be a fighting arena
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