MO-Second dog-fighting defendant pleads guilty in KC

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Posted on Wed, Oct. 14, 2009

Second dog-fighting defendant pleads guilty in KC

By MARK MORRIS
The Kansas City Star

A St. Joseph, Mo., man pleaded guilty in federal court today to his role in a northwest Missouri dog-fighting conspiracy.

Rick P. Hihath, 55, admitted that he promoted and sponsored three dogfights between February and May 2009 at the home of a co-conspirator, who already has pleaded guilty.

Cris E. Bottcher, 48, of Gilman City, pleaded guilty last week to identical charges of conspiracy and sponsoring or exhibiting an animal in an animal fighting venture.

A Kansas City grand jury indicted Hihath, an employee at a state school for the handicapped and former school teacher, and six others in June, charging them with running a dog-fighting ring. In all, more than 20 defendants were charged in Missouri and other states with participating in what has been described as the largest dog-fighting operation ever uncovered in the U.S.

Prosecutors said the government is seeking legal ownership of 18 pit bull terriers and five American bulldogs owned by Hihath and Bottcher. Those dogs are in the custody of the Humane Society, which assisted authorities in the investigation.

Authorities also are seeking ownership of 46 dogs owned by Jack Ruppel of Eldon, Mo., who pleaded guilty in September to his role in a separate case that was uncovered in the same investigation. Ruppel admitted that he participated in 10 dog fights between July 2008 and April 2009.

Hilhath will be sentenced Feb. 23

http://www.kansascity.com/news/break...y/1508156.html

[3MTA3]

Posted on Wed, Oct. 14, 2009
New future for former fight dogs seized in raid
The Associated Press

ST. LOUIS | The Humane Society of Missouri is placing six former fighting dogs with rescue groups, including one headed for training as a therapy dog in California.

Jakob is one of hundreds of American pit bulls that were seized July 8 in a dozen states from the largest dogfighting raid in U.S. history.

On Wednesday, Jake and five others will leave the Humane Society’s emergency shelter in St. Louis for new homes. Jake is headed to Los Gatos, Calif., for a new career as a therapy dog.

Federal district courts in Missouri, Illinois, Iowa, Texas and Oklahoma have begun releasing the seized dogs to rescue groups.

New future for former fight dogs seized in raid - Kansas City Star