Phoenix couple busted in bloody hogs-vs.-dogs matches

Dozens of black boars, bulldogs and hounds were taken into government custody yesterday in a raid on the couple's home.

The Arizona Republic

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A Phoenix couple are in custody after authorities in four states busted up a "hog-dogging" fighting circuit that advertised bloody battles through the Internet.
Dozens of black boars, bulldogs and hounds were taken into government custody yesterday in a raid at the home of James M. Curry and his wife, Jodi Marie, on North 14th Street about 6:35 a.m.

Others raids occurred in Alabama, Georgia and South Carolina.

"What you have here are hogs that can be very, very cruel, especially if they are not neutered," said Katie Decker, spokeswoman for the Arizona Agriculture Department.

Fights pitted Russian black boars, which were herded by hounds, against American bulldogs in an arena, she said.

One hog and one dog then fight each other.

"You take these dogs that have an aggressive nature, such as American bulldogs, you starve them or get them underweight and then you put a really big ham in front of them," she said.

The department's officials were joined by officers from the Maricopa and Yavapai county sheriff's offices in the raid at the Phoenix home.

Officers found nearly 3 pounds of marijuana and a rifle at the home.

The Phoenix pair face drug, weapon, child-abuse and animal-cruelty charges.

Three children, ages 11, 9 and 8, were taken into custody by state Child Protective Services, Yavapai County sheriff's officials said.

Although Arizona has laws outlawing dog fighting and cock fighting, there is no law banning fights between hogs and dogs, Decker said.

But animal-cruelty charges can be pursued when someone knowingly causes harm to an animal.

If there's a loophole allowing dogs to fight hogs, lawmakers will move quickly to close it, said Sen. Jay Tibshraeny, R-Chandler, incoming Senate majority whip.

"Once that hits the radar screen at the Legislature, I think you will see a bill real quick," Tibshraeny said. "Nobody likes to see cruelty to animals. I've never heard of anything like that before."

Police said the fights probably took place in the Cordes Lakes area of Yavapai County, where the investigation began.

The Yavapai County Sheriff's Office was tipped off in October to the fights at a place known as "EZ Ranch" in Cordes Lakes, officials said.

Officials seized 32 Russian boars, 12 adult bulldogs and hounds and a litter of five pups, which were being advertised for sale. The dogs are being treated at Prescott Animal Shelter.

NOW AINT THAT SOME S***

In Australia it is normal for a pair of twelve year olds to go out with a couple of the leanest and meanest dogs(or just one) and get it to attack however many hogs they want.
It's a big sport here.

How's that for cruelty and child abuse etc.

Karl.