Judge Orders Seized Dogs Turned Over to Rescue After Newton County Dogfighting Bust

NEWTON COUNTY, Texas — A justice of the peace on Tuesday ordered three dogs seized during a dogfighting investigation in Call, Texas to be transferred to a rescue or animal shelter, officials said.

Justice of the Peace Connie Smith of Precinct 1 conducted the hearing regarding animals recovered during Operation Pitbull, a multi-agency raid carried out Nov. 22 in Call.

Newton County Sheriff Colton Havard testified that 19 dogs were accounted for during the investigation. He told the court that two dogs were actively fighting at the time a search warrant was executed at the location. A third dog was found inside a vehicle that was later towed from the scene.

Havard requested that the three dogs be awarded to the Newton County Sheriff’s Office so they could be placed with a shelter or rescue organization. He said no owners have come forward to claim the animals but noted that anyone seeking to claim them may contact the sheriff’s office.

Smith issued an order granting custody of the three dogs to a rescue or animal shelter for proper placement.

Newton County officials said the broader investigation remains ongoing.