N.C. called dogfighting hot spot

PITTSBORO - North Carolina is one of the nation's hot spots of illegal animal blood sports, a national animal welfare group says.

Some of the largest breeders of fighting dogs and roosters call this state home, said John Goodwin, the Humane Society of the United States' manager for animal fighting issues.

Goodwin and an investigator who specializes in illegal gambling and dogfighting were in Chatham County on Wednesday, teaching techniques for bringing dog fighters to justice to police and animal welfare workers from Chatham, Durham, Orange, Wake, Burlington and other counties.

Dogfighting is closely connected to drug and gang activity, said Sgt. David Hunt, a sheriff's office investigator from Columbus, Ohio. Entry stakes for dogfights commonly reach $5,000 per entry, with $10,000 going to the winner.