Newton County’s Operation Pitbull shuts down Dog Fighting Ring

CALL, Texas — More than 40 people were arrested late Saturday after Newton County deputies and multiple law-enforcement agencies raided an alleged dog-fighting operation in what officials say is one of the largest criminal busts in county history.

The raid, launched shortly before 10 p.m., was part of Operation Pitbull, an ongoing effort by the Newton County Sheriff’s Office to target organized animal cruelty and related criminal activity. Deputies say they discovered an active dog-fighting event underway in the Call community and recovered multiple weapons and narcotics at the scene.

Agencies assisting in the operation included the Jasper County Sheriff’s Office, Texas Parks and Wildlife game wardens, the Department of Public Safety, and officers from the City of Newton.

Authorities said individuals taken into custody came from across the region, including Newton, Liberty, Chambers, San Jacinto and Harris counties, as well as Louisiana cities such as Baton Rouge and Shreveport.

“Dog fighting will not be tolerated in Newton County,” Sheriff Colton Havard said. “We will continue investigating additional leads. This is inexcusable and will not be tolerated.”

Jasper County Sheriff Chuck Havard said his office was proud to support the operation. “We were happy to assist Sheriff Colton Havard in shutting down this criminal activity,” he said.