Humane Society of Missouri rehabs ex-fighting dogs

More than 400 dogs were seized from a Hannibal property.

By Travis Cornejo

Published Sept. 22, 2009

Four defendants pleaded guilty Sept. 14 to federal dog-fighting charges after a July raid that is believed to be the largest in U.S. history, stated an American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals news release.

The four Missouri men were arrested in connection the dog-fighting raid in Hannibal. The dog-fighting operation spanned Missouri, Illinois, Iowa, Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Nebraska and Mississippi.

Columbia Police Department spokeswoman Jessie Haden said she could not recall the last time a dog raid took place in Columbia. Columbia Animal Control primarily handles animal-related cases.

"Were they to receive information first-hand and needed our assistance, they would let us know," Haden said.

Haden said Animal Control does have its own enforcement capabilities and CPD can hand over information to Animal Control and allow it to investigate.

Kurt Groenda, shelter administrator for the Northeast Missouri Humane Society, said the humane society was not really involved in the dog-fighting raid that took place in Hannibal.

"Unfortunately, that kind of thing does go on," Groenda said about dog fighting.

An ASPCA news release stated 407 dogs were seized, including more than 100 puppies born since the raid. Groenda said the Humane Society of Missouri took in the dogs rescued in the raid.

The ASPCA news release also stated some of the dogs rescued had various wounds and scars. Other ailments included internal parasites, ear infections and broken, worn or missing teeth. One dog was missing its lips and another was missing a leg.

"They're more equipped than we are," Groenda said of the Humane Society of Missouri. "They have rescue trucks that can handle large numbers."

Groenda also said the abused animals are taken to the shelter's vet where it is decided if the dogs can be saved or if they have to be euthanized.

"Just about all the abused dogs that come in, we've saved," Groenda said.

People who hear abused animals have been rescued can come in to adopt them.

Humane Society of Missouri spokeswoman Jean Jay said it was the lead agency for the shelter and rescue of the animals recovered during the raid.

"They don't happen very often," Jay said about dog raids. "But we have taken in dogs from dog fighting situations like that."

An ASPCA news release stated the group, along with 22 other organizations, is assisting the Humane Society of Missouri in the care of the rescued dogs.

"The ASPCA is proud to have had its expert staff be a part of this important case," said Laura Maloney, ASPCA Anti-Cruelty Initiatives Senior Vice President, in an ASPCA news release.

Dogs taken in from the raid are treated very similarly to the other animals the Humane Society of Missouri shelter and are treated with as much care and attention as possible, Jay said.

"We feed them and we give them veterinary care," Jay said.

The four men who pleaded guilty Sept. 14 are Robert Hackman, Teddy Kiriakidis, Ronald Creach and Michael Morgan. The men will be sentenced Dec. 8.

A fifth man, Jack Ruppel of Eldon, pleaded guilty to the charges Sept. 4.

"These dogs suffered terribly in the hands of dogfighters, and our hope is that the evidence collected will help bring justice for all of these animals," Maloney said in an ASPCA news release.