A dog fighting ring linked to former NFL player Leshon Johnson has been labeled the largest dog seizure in federal history. Johnson allegedly described the pedigree of the dogs he bred as “great and nasty.”
Last week, a federal court in Oklahoma found Johnson guilty of breaching animal welfare laws, specifically regarding the possession, sale, transport, and delivery of animals used in fighting.
He was convicted on six of the 23 charges brought against him.
Seized during the investigation was an electronic device containing images of dogs on treadmills, as well as disturbing photos of deceased dogs. Reports indicate that during the investigation, Johnson made various comments during phone calls with government informants.
Authorities confiscated 190 “pitbull-type dogs” from Johnson’s residence and associated fighting venues in Oklahoma last October.
The investigation also uncovered a spreadsheet with digital financial records, allegedly showing transactions related to dog fighting.
At the trial, prosecutors presented evidence that Johnson was raising and trafficking dogs for fighting purposes through his operation named “Mal Cant Kennels.”
While Johnson maintained that his kennel was a legitimate breeding operation, the prosecution argued that he was fully aware that his dogs were being raised for illegal fighting.
Prior reports indicated that the business generated around $400,000 in sales over a four-year period before Johnson’s recent arrest.
This isn’t his first run-in with the law; Johnson had previously pleaded guilty to animal combat charges back in 2004, receiving a five-year suspended sentence at that time.
Drafted by the Green Bay Packers in 1994, Johnson had a five-season NFL career spanning teams including the Packers, Cardinals, and Giants.
