Dogfighting Ring Leads To 47 Animal Cruelty Charges: Police

WOODBRIDGE, VA — A Woodbridge man is charged with more than 40 counts of animal cruelty in Maryland. Authorities accused the man, Damien Terrell Wilson, of participating in a dogfighting ring.

The St. Mary's County State's Attorney's Office officially charged Wilson on Thursday. However, the investigation into the dog fighting began in February, authorities said.

"On Feb. 10, 2021 St. Mary’s County deputies were tipped off to the location of a suspected dog fighting arena located on a SMECO power line cut-through," the state's attorney's office wrote in an update. "With Animal Control, they responded to the location where evidence of dog fighting was located."

Authorities said they found "numerous items of paraphernalia associated with dog fighting," in addition to several dogs. In total, 11 dogs were rescued from the suspected dogfighting ring.

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Each of the dogs underwent behavioral evaluations. Evaluators determined that three of the dogs were "so overtly aggressive that rehabilitation was deemed too dangerous." They were euthanized. Authorities did not say whether the remaining eight dogs were rehabilitated or adopted.

Wilson is scheduled to appear in St. Mary's County Circuit Court on Sept. 29.

According to Maryland law, anyone involved in dogfighting rings, either as an organizer or a spectator, could be found guilty of animal cruelty charges. Spectators can face up to a year in prison and a fine of $2,500.

The penalty is stiffer for those found guilty of organizing dogfights. Any person involved with training or allowing a dog to fight could be found guilty of aggravated animal cruelty. This felony charge can lead to three years in prison and a $5,000 fine. If found guilty, a person may also be required to undergo psychological counseling and be prohibited from owning or living with an animal.

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