Weekend raid targets large, annual dogfighting event

JACKSON, Miss. -- A raid on a barn in Mississippi over the weekend busted up what is thought to be one the biggest annual dogfights in the United States with organizers and participants from around the country, authorities said Monday.

A monthslong investigation involving federal, state and local agencies culminated in the raid Saturday night where at least 200 people gathered in a barn in Benton County, authorities said.

Marshall County Sheriff Kenny Dickerson said shots were fired when officers arrived but nobody was hurt and authorities didn't return fire.

Dickerson said the man believed to be the main organizer was arrested. Dickerson said authorities are looking for the man who owns the property, but it's not clear if he was involved.

Twenty dogs were rescued. Two had fought and one died, said Chris Schindler, manager of animal fighting investigations for the Humane Society of the United States.

Nearly 50 people have been arrested, said David Murphy, a sheriff's investigator. -- AP