ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – Five men have pleaded guilty for their roles in a large dog fighting ring that operated partly in four states including New Mexico.
Prosecutors say the case is part of “Operation Grand Champion,” which has rescued 98 dogs so far. The New Mexico operation was busted in June 2016.
Authorities say 63-year-old Robert Arellano was keeping the dogs at his Albuquerque home. They found scarred dogs in crates, treadmills to train the dogs and syringes.
Arellano was charged with 13 counts in connection to the ring, and faces up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.