The Brief
Hart County deputies arrested 26 people facing dogfighting and animal cruelty charges after breaking up an illegal late-night gathering off Jim Heard Road.
Responders seized multiple dogs, firearms, vehicles and cash while using drones and K9 units to track down suspects running through nearby woods.
The multi-agency operation brought in officers from two neighboring counties and state drug agents, with animal control taking custody of every rescued dog.
HART COUNTY, Ga. - A traffic complaint about blocked rural lanes led North Georgia law enforcement to bust an interstate dogfighting ring Friday night, resulting in 26 arrests and the seizure of multiple dogs, weapons and cash.
What we know:
A Hart County Sheriff’s Office deputy went to the end of Jim Heard Road just before 11:30 p.m. Friday to investigate vehicles parked in the road.
The deputy noticed vehicles parked along both sides of the roadway and heard dogs growling and barking in the nearby woods.
After walking up a drive into the woods, the deputy spotted more vehicles, including several with dog crates in the back that had blood on them.
When the deputy ran into three men on the path, the men tried to run away....