ST. LOUIS — Representatives from national humane groups have said that the largest coordinated raids on dog-fighting in U.S. history didn't stop the shadowy blood sport, but they're getting the criminals' attention.
They have said that the indictments against 26 people — including a registered nurse and a teacher — are part of a relentless campaign to stop the activity that put NFL quarterback Michael Vick in prison.
The multistate raids, including Missouri, that started early Wednesday and continued into Thursday yielded more than 400 dogs, some of them about to deliver puppies. The dogs were mostly American pit bull terriers.
Authorities said the alleged criminal enterprises were not part of an organized network, though some of the suspects were acquainted with each other.