In a significant victory for animal welfare, the FBI executed a major raid in Deerfield Beach, Florida, on Tuesday, dismantling a dogfighting ring and arresting a leading figure in the South Florida dogfighting community. Authorities rescued nearly three dozen dogs from the property, where they were allegedly used in illegal staged fights.
The raid, part of a broader federal crackdown on animal fighting, has drawn widespread praise from animal welfare organizations. Wayne Pacelle, president of Animal Wellness Action and the Center for a Humane Economy, applauded the FBI for its diligent efforts to stop the brutal practice.
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“Given all that dogs do for us, it’s especially distressing when people commit acts of senseless cruelty to them. And no act is more gruesome or barbaric or intentionally cruel than dogfighting,” Pacelle said. “We applaud the FBI for its diligent work to raid and capture one of the top dogfighting trainers and dogfighters in South Florida.”
According to a federal complaint, the arrested individuals, Alex Benefield, and Tramaine Randall, have been involved in dogfighting for years and were significant players in the underground enterprise. The complaint included disturbing evidence, such as a video the defendant allegedly showed to an informant, depicting one of his dogs, named Blueface, attacking and killing another dog in the backyard.
This raid underscores the ongoing efforts by federal law enforcement to combat animal cruelty. In a similar case, federal authorities recently arrested and convicted a Maryland man, a former senior communications official for the Department of Defense, who operated a dogfighting network for over two decades in the Washington, D.C., area.
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The raid comes as Congress considers the Fighting Inhumane Gambling and High-Risk Trafficking (FIGHT) Act, a bipartisan bill aimed at strengthening federal enforcement against animal fighting. The legislation has garnered overwhelming support from diverse groups, including the Florida Sheriffs’ Association, the National Sheriffs’ Association, the National District Attorneys Association, and over 760 other organizations and agencies.
The FIGHT Act has already seen substantial bipartisan backing in Florida, with 16 U.S. House members—13 Republicans and three Democrats—cosponsoring the bill during the 118th Congress. The legislation is expected to be reintroduced soon.
The raid highlights a growing trend of federal law enforcement taking action against illegal dogfighting networks across the United States. These efforts have disrupted longstanding operations, saving countless animals from lives of cruelty and abuse.
Animal welfare advocates hope the recent action will bolster momentum for Congress to pass the FIGHT Act, which could significantly enhance the tools available to law enforcement to investigate and prosecute those involved in animal fighting.
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“This raid sends a strong message that there is no place for this kind of cruelty in our society,” Pacelle added. “Now is the time for Congress to take decisive action and pass the FIGHT Act to ensure that these barbaric practices are eradicated for good.”
The rescued dogs are being evaluated and treated for injuries, with the hope of placing them in loving homes. Meanwhile, the federal case against the defendant is expected to proceed in the coming weeks, with charges that could result in significant penalties.
Animal welfare organizations are urging the public to contact their representatives and support the reintroduction of the FIGHT Act to help put an end to the horrors of dogfighting once and for all.
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