March 14, 2005 Dog-Fighting Ring Busted in Broussard UPDATE
56 animals were put to sleep over the weekend after last week's raid on an alleged dog-fighting ring in Broussard.
Animal rights officials say the dogs were likely worth more than a quarter-of-a-million dollars.
Monday, attorneys for the men arrested in the case claim that animal control officials acted prematurely by having the dogs euthanized before the defendants were proven guilty.
Attorneys for Floyd and Guy Boudreaux say they were in the process of filing an injunction to keep the dogs alive when they got the word the animals had been euthanized. SPCA leaders say a state law calls for killing the dogs after it's determined they're fighting dogs.
Executive director Laura Maloney says that evaluation was completed by state police investigators, with the SPCA's help. She tells TV 10 the dogs are definitely considered fighting dogs. She claims Floyd Boudreaux admitted that to state police. Attorney Kevin Stockstill represents Floyd Boudreaux. He says his client never made such a claim.
Kevin Stockstill/Floyd Boudreaux's Attorney: Completely disagree with that. I don't believe that's true at all...
Stockstill and Attorney Daniel Stanford say that's not the only problem with this case. They say the fact the dogs were destroyed eliminates key evidence that they never examined.
Daniel Stanford/Guy Boudreaux's Attorney: It would be like in any case where the government or the state seizes evidence and destroys it before a neutral party has a chance to examine it...
Animal rights workers claim last week's raid was a major victory against the dog-fighting industry. Stanford admits his clients were involved with dog-fighting, but he says that activity ended roughly 30 years ago. He says none of the dogs raised at his clients' kennel were intended for any illegal activity.
Daniel Stanford/Guy Boudreaux's Attorney: These dogs were used for hunting, shows, competitive weight pulling and as pets...
A total of 58 dogs were confiscated from Broussard's home. Two Patterdale Terriers were the only ones not put to sleep by the SPCA. Stanford and Stockstill say they will fight to have those dogs returned to their clients.
Floyd and Guy Boudreaux were not available for comment.
