Owner of suspected dog-fighting ring in Adams County surrenders

Published 2:58 pm Wednesday, November 8, 2017

NATCHEZ — Tommie Queen, owner of the property where nearly 60 emaciated and injured dogs were found Monday, turned himself in to authorities at approximately 1:30 p.m. Wednesday.

Sheriff Travis Patten said he was not yet certain if Queen would cooperate with authorities.

The Adams County Sheriff’s Office issued a warrant for Queen’s arrest citing charges of cruelty to animals and receiving stolen property in what Patten has called the largest dog-fighting operation in the history of the county.

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The officers found a suspected dog-fighting ring at 29 1/2 Miracle Road Monday night after an anonymous tip pointed them toward the field.

Officers spent Tuesday on the two-acre field filled with dogs, many of which had sustained multiple untreated injuries. Many were left without food or access to water.

Six of the nearly 60 animals were euthanized Tuesday when their injuries were determined to be life-threatening.

Ten of the dogs and two puppies are currently being housed at the Natchez-Adams County Humane Society, and Patten said representatives of the ASPCA are currently on their way from Missouri to take the dogs to out-of-state rescue centers.