Police: 18 dogs rescued from dogfighting ring in DeKalb

Authorities say anonymous tip led them to home.

DeKalb County authorities say they’ve busted up a dogfighting ring and rescued 18 animals.

An anonymous tip came in Dec. 29, leading officials to 4021 Cedar Grove Place in the Ellenwood area, DeKalb police Detective Jason Gagnon said. They found the dogs chained up to trees in the backyard of a home.

“Multiple dogs had bite wounds on the face, things consistent with dogfighting,” he said.

He said they also found treadmills, supplements and other items associated with dogfighting, including documents that appear to detail training regimens, dog performance and the dates of upcoming fights. Some of the information is written in code, which investigators are trying to crack.

It isn’t clear where the dogfighting was allegedly taking place. The home isn’t rural enough for it to have happened there, Gagnon said.

Willie Dasher, 45, and Chaketa Williams, 37, were arrested and charged with dogfighting, he said.

The dogs were taken to the county animal shelter, where they’re being evaluated.

Because of that, the dogs “are not available for adoption at this time,” DeKalb County Animal Services said.

The agency, however, is looking for people to adopt and foster other animals at its shelter, which is currently full with more than 400 dogs.

To foster an animal, email foster@dekalbanimalservices.com. To adopt, visit LifeLine’s DeKalb County Animal Services in Chamblee.