“It’s just really hard to fathom the depth of what you’re looking at when you’re on the scene.”

A Dallas man is under arrest for what authorities say is his role in “breeding, training and facilitating” 106 dogs – mainly pit bulls - for a dog fighting operation at his home.

55-year-old Vincent Lemark Burrell is charged with Cruelty to Animals and Dog Fighting – both felonies. Burrell was arrested November 8 at his residence on Old Cartersville Road without incident.

“He’s facing, eventually I would say, hundreds of charges for animal cruelty as well as dog fighting,” Sgt. Ashley Henson with the Paulding County Sheriff’s Office tells WSB Radio.

Henson says it was a tip from a delivery driver that sparked the months-long investigation. More tips came in, followed by the execution of multiple search warrants.

“In my 20 years at the Sheriff’s Office, this is by far the biggest, most intricate animal cruelty and dog fighting case that I’ve personally ever seen,” Henson says.

“Dogs tied to trees, tied to metal stobs. They were in the basement of the home – the odor of feces and urine was just so overwhelming. The chains and the heavy collars that these dogs were subjected to – it’s just inhumane, it’s pitiful, and it’s so sad for these dogs.”

But Henson says – there was also this: “The vast majority of these dogs when our deputies and detectives were on the scene, just wanted the love and attention of them.”

All dogs have been placed with several rescue groups.

While some of them are described as being “in pretty bad shape,” with others vicious and violent, Henson says “we’re thankful that we were able to get these dogs all to a place where they can be rehabilitated and hopefully, eventually sent out to a home and be rescued by someone.”

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