A Louisiana man has been sentenced to three years in prison for his involvement in dog fighting ventures. Clay Turner, 61, of Loranger, pleaded guilty to possession of an animal in an animal fighting venture on June 30, 2021.
According to court documents, Turner possessed and trained dogs for the purpose of having them participate in animal fighting ventures. On telephone calls obtained via court-authorized wiretaps, Turner and others discussed gambling on dog fights, arranging and participating in dog fights, sponsoring and exhibiting dogs in dog fights, training and housing dogs for the purposes of dog fighting, commerce in and transport of fighting dogs, and the promotion of dog fights.
In October 2017, a federal law enforcement team consisting of agents from the Department of Agriculture Office of Inspector General (USDA-OIG), the FBI, the U.S. Marshals Service and other agencies executed a search warrant on Turner’s residence in Loranger. During the search, 33 dogs were found on the property, many of which had injuries, scarring and fresh wounds. Law enforcement also discovered a large collection of dog fighting paraphernalia.
The evidence included a water tank equipped to force dogs to swim to condition them for fighting, an electrified prod used in conjunction with the water tank, two treadmills equipped to force dogs to run to condition them for fighting, ledgers containing the weights and prices of dogs, “break sticks” and “flirt poles,” training equipment intended to enhance dogs’ jaw strength, pedigrees for the fighting dogs Turner bred, and photographs of dogs in inhumane conditions.
“Dog fighting is a particularly cruel form of animal abuse,” said Assistant Attorney General Todd Kim. “Turner bred dogs solely to abuse them, through inhumane training methods and violent fights that left them scarred, severely injured, or dead. These dogs deserved better. As this prosecution demonstrates, those who engage in this abhorrent conduct will be brought to justice.”
Turner was sentenced to three years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a $1000 fine. The investigation was a collaborative effort between the USDA-OIG, the FBI, the U.S. Marshals Service, and other agencies.
Assistant Attorney General Todd Kim stated, “Those who engage in this abhorrent conduct will be brought to justice.” U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans added, “This case lifts the veil on the brutal realities associated with this heinous activity.”
Turner will serve his sentence and undergo supervised release upon completion. The sentencing is a significant blow to the dog fighting industry, and it serves as a reminder that those who engage in animal cruelty will face severe consequences.
Turner, a 61-year-old resident of Loranger, Louisiana, was found guilty of possession of an animal in an animal fighting venture. He was sentenced to three years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a $1000 fine.
The case was investigated by the USDA-OIG, the FBI, the U.S. Marshals Service, and other agencies. Turner was sentenced on [date] and will serve his sentence and undergo supervised release upon completion.
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Key Facts
- State: Louisiana
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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