ALBANY, Ga. — The U.S. Department of Justice announced Thursday that all 14 individuals convicted in a major federal dog fighting case have now been sentenced, closing a two-year investigation that spanned multiple states and resulted in 343 combined months of prison time.
The case centered on a large-scale dog fighting event disrupted by law enforcement in Donalsonville, Georgia, on April 24, 2022. Authorities responded to a 911 call and discovered an organized operation involving dozens of participants and vehicles used to store injured dogs. Twenty-seven dogs were rescued that night, including one found dying in a blood-stained pit.
Among those sentenced was Donnametric Miller of Donalsonville, who received 100 months. Other sentences ranged from six months of home confinement to nearly three years in prison. Two defendants received time served.
In total, 78 pit bull-type dogs were rescued during the investigation. Law enforcement also seized methamphetamine and multiple phones containing evidence of coordinated dog fighting activities, including videos, photos, text message chains, and fight records. Some of the seized images depicted severe cruelty, including one dog that had been hanged.
Multi-agency operation leads to convictions and animal rescue
The investigation was led by the USDA Office of Inspector General and the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office, with assistance from detectives in Bay County, Florida. Prosecutors from the Justice Department’s Environmental Crimes Section and the Middle District of Georgia handled the case.
The U.S. Marshals Service Seized Canine Program cared for the animals during the legal process. The court also ordered restitution for the cost of caring for the rescued dogs.
