The original Giants running through Leshon Johnson faces federal charges after authorities allegedly ran a campaign to combat a large dog that they consider to be the biggest seizure of a dog to date in a federal incident of this kind.
doj, in Announces 21 count indictment in release On Tuesday, Johnson claimed that he had around 200 “pitbull-type dogs” used in “animal combat ventures,” and that he “sells, transports and delivers dogs for use in animal combat ventures.”
The 190 dogs were seized by federal law enforcement under the Animal Welfare Act in October 2024, and officials at all levels of the DOJ condemned the crime.
“This strategic prosecution of repeated criminals led to the seizing of 190 dogs aimed at a cruel end. It disrupts the main source of dogs used in other dog combat ventures.”
US Attorney General Pam Bondy called the alleged animal cruelty “cruel” and “defeated” crimes “deserving severe punishment.”
FBI Director Kash Patel called Dog to fight “twisted form of entertainment” in his own statement.
Court documents allege that Johnson, who played five years in the NFL in the 1990s, ran an operation to fight at least two dogs in two Oklahoma towns more than 20 miles apart through an operation called the “Mal Kant Kennels.”
Federal prosecutors argue that Johnson, 54, selectively breeds the “champion” and “grand champion” fighting dogs, the dogs that have won multiple battles, to create descendants that could fight.
Additionally, Johnson has been accused of selling his descendants of stud rights and the fact that he acquired combat dogs to a business that fights other dogs.
“Dog fights are a cruel, bloodthirsty venture, not a legal business or sports activity,” said Christopher J. Wilson, the lawyer for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, in a statement. “We praise the FBI's research work and the Department of Justice's Department of Environment and Natural Resources in detecting and dismantling breeding operations that help spread this deplorable act only.”
This would mark the second time Johnson pleaded guilty to the state's charges in Oklahoma in 2004, facing charges related to animal fights.
Johnson faces a $250,000 fine in prison for up to five years for each count he was charged with.
Johnson spent time with the Cardinals (1995-97) after being drafted by the Packers in the third round of the 1994 NFL Draft and spent one season with the Giants in '99.
