HOLDENVILLE, Okla., May 26 (UPI) -- Oklahoma authorities have seized 141 pit bull terriers and arrested 18 people in the state's largest dogfighting investigation.
State and local police made the arrests in several counties Tuesday for alleged participation in dogfights behind a Wetumka home, the Oklahoman reported. Five other suspects were being sought.
A former National Football League running back was among those arrested. LeShon Johnson of Haskell played for the Green Bay Packers, Arizona Cardinals and New York Giants, the newspaper reported.
Police also seized 23 guns, eight marijuana plants and five vehicles, said Mark Woodward, spokesman for the Oklahoma State Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs Control. Drug sales and gambling were common at the fights, officers said.
"Most likely 126 of the dogs will be killed because of the dogs' injuries or the dogs have been trained to fight and the liability of injury is too great," Woodward told the Oklahoman. "That is sad."
Prosecutors said criminal charges will include conspiracy, racketeering, dogfighting and selling marijuana.
