Animal-welfare organizations are commending federal authorities for the arrest of Leshon Eugene Johnson, a former NFL running back and kick returner from Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, following a grand jury indictment related to a large-scale dog fighting operation.
Johnson, who previously pleaded guilty to dog fighting in 2005, is now accused of breeding, training, and selling dogs for illegal fights through his operation, Mal Kant Kennels.
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Authorities allege that he selectively bred “champion” and “grand champion” fighting dogs, marketing their bloodline to other dog fighters nationwide. The 190 pit bull-type dogs seized from his properties in Broken Arrow and Haskell represent the largest number ever taken from a single individual in a federal dog fighting case.
If convicted, Johnson faces up to five years in prison per count and a $250,000 fine.
“Dogfighting is perhaps the most sickening form of animal cruelty,” said Wayne Pacelle, president of Animal Wellness Action and the Center for a Humane Economy. “The scale of cruelty in this case is jarring to the core, and I commend the FBI and the DOJ for their hard, life-saving work.”
The case draws parallels to the 2007 arrest and conviction of NFL quarterback Michael Vick for his involvement in “Bad Newz Kennels,” a dogfighting operation that brought national attention to the issue.
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“After the Michael Vick case, I thought the lessons would spillover to convince others—especially high-profile athletes—not to participate in this bloodsport. I was wrong,” Pacelle said. “That’s why we need new and tougher legislation and government response.”
Animal Wellness Action and the Center for a Humane Economy are advocating for the passage of the Fighting Inhumane Gambling and High-Risk Trafficking (FIGHT) Act, which aims to strengthen enforcement of animal fighting laws. The legislation would enhance enforcement by:
- Banning online gambling on animal fights
- Halting the shipment of mature roosters through the U.S. Postal Service
- Allowing a civil right of action for private citizens against animal fighters
- Enhancing criminal forfeiture penalties to include real property for those convicted of animal fighting crimes
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The groups are also advocating for the Department of Justice to create an Animal Cruelty Crimes section to focus on enforcing federal anti-cruelty laws.
“Without enforcement, our laws are just aspirations, and criminals ignore them and charge ahead with their cruelty and chaos,” Pacelle said. “Crimes of malice toward animals are predictors of violence toward humans, so we are making everybody safer in our communities by robustly enforcing these laws.”
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