PRESS RELEASE

Legendary Dogfighter Detained

LAFAYETTE (3/11/05) – The man known nationwide as “the grandfather of dog fighting,” Floyd Boudreaux, was detained Friday morning, and 68 fighting dogs have been taken into custody.

The Louisiana Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and Louisiana State Police spearheaded the investigation of the man known to be breeding, training and fighting pit bull terriers since the 1950s.

Boudreaux is known for the Eli and Boudreaux pit bull bloodlines, which are the foundation bloodlines of most fighting dogs in the nation, said Louisiana SPCA Director Laura Maloney.

“This is a huge step in the fight against animal cruelty,” Maloney said.

Boudreaux could face up to 68 felony counts of owning, breeding and fighting dogs, which could carry a 10-year prison sentence and a fine of up to $25,000. The dogs are being transported to a temporary shelter in an undisclosed location, where they will most likely be euthanized.

Maloney said it was heartbreaking to see the dogs, tethered outside in rows of five, with trenches dug around the circumference of their doghouses. While several dogs were extremely aggressive and others marked with fighting scars, most of the animals were found in healthy condition. Boudreaux, also known in cockfighting circles, had hundreds of gaming roosters on site as well.

The Louisiana SPCA is a private, nonprofit animal welfare organization that is chartered statewide. Although the Louisiana SPCA is located in New Orleans, it was asked to handle the case as the most experienced dog fighting investigation team in the state. The Louisiana SPCA also invited the Humane Society of the United States to assist with the case.

“We are especially grateful to the Louisiana State Police,” Maloney said. “We couldn’t have come this far without their hard work and dedication to the fight against animal cruelty.”

But the big battle may still lie ahead in the Louisiana court system, Maloney said.

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