Suspects in alleged Smith County dogfighting ring relinquish custody of dogs

TYLER, Texas ( KETK ) – The public hearing to determine custody of nearly 60 dogs from an alleged dogfighting ring was cancelled 45 minutes before it was scheduled to start on Thursday.

“The owners of the dogs agreed to divest ownership of those animals and allow the state or the county to take ownership or possession of those dogs,” said Thomas Wilson, Assistant District Attorney for Smith County.

Sonja Scarborough of Tyler was one of many community members upset the public hearing determining custody was settled behind closed doors.

“I think it should have been public because there’s such a huge public outcry for what’s been done to the dogs and the two cats,” said Scarborough.

Wilson said this is common, but that he does not know why the two suspects, Michael and Kerry Jones, made their decision so close to the hearing.

“Usually 90% of these cases, we do not have to have a hearing to dispose, to award the animals to the state,” said Wilson.

Scarborough along with many other supports are glad the dogs are in the custody of the Smith County Animal Control.

“I think that is wonderful and that’s what I’ve been praying for so much, for the dogs to be safe and the cats, too,” said Scarborough.

The next step for the dogs is to be assessed for fosters and adoption.

“I have been in contact with the Humane Society of the United States and they are getting me in contact with a lady who is a behavioralist or a behavioral specialist, specifically for your game bred pits  and dogs like that, to come do an evaluation on all the dogs that are here to kind of see what the next step for them means,” said Amber Greene, supervisor for the Smith County Animal Control.

The Humane Society will pay for this case worker to fly in from Florida to individually assess the health and behavior of the animals in the coming days.

Although a decision has been made regarding the custody of these dogs, the criminal portion of this case is still being actively investigated.

Sheriff Smith said earlier this month that they will continue looking into all leads and track down other people tied to this large operation.

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