A man from Sale City, Georgia, was convicted this week on 69 federal charges related to dog fighting, drug manufacturing, and firearm possession. Dun Bradford was found guilty by a jury on December 16 after a two-day trial in Albany before Chief U.S. District Judge Leslie Abrams Gardner. The charges include 67 counts of possessing dogs for use in animal fighting ventures, one count of manufacturing and possessing with intent to distribute a controlled substance, and one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a crime. Bradford could face up to life in prison; sentencing will be set at a later date.
U.S. Attorney William R. “Will” Keyes for the Middle District of Georgia commented on the case: “The cruel and inhumane realities of dogfighting are closely linked to illegal drugs, firearms and other serious crimes. Our office will use every available resource alongside our federal, state and local law enforcement partners to dismantle dog fighting organizations and bring those responsible to justice. I am grateful to the concerned citizen who reported the abused dogs, whose tip ended a long-standing criminal operation gravely harming animals and the entire community.”
Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Adam Gustafson of the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division (ENRD) stated: “The defendant had extensive involvement in dog fighting and had garnered a reputation as a dog fighting breeder and trainer, which is an especially brutal pursuit. His conviction highlights local, state and federal law enforcement working together and applying our expertise and resources to rescue 67 abused dogs and get a notorious player out of the dog fighting criminal enterprise.”
U.S. Marshal Stephen Lynn for the Middle District of Georgia added: “This case demonstrates the good results achieved when local, state and federal law enforcement agencies collaborate to rescue dogs suffering at the hands of those involved in dog fighting and related crimes. The U.S. Marshals remain committed to supporting law enforcement in bringing those responsible for dog fighting to justice and ensuring that rescued canines are placed in protective custody, giving them a chance at a better life.”
According to court records presented during trial proceedings, authorities responded after receiving complaints about animal neglect at Bradford’s property—a 17-acre site in Sale City—where numerous pit bull-type dogs were kept outside on heavy chains without adequate food or shelter. Some animals showed aggression toward each other.
Officers from Mitchell County Sheriff’s Office called agents from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) as well as experts from the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS). Search warrants led officers to rescue 67 chained dogs displaying injuries consistent with recent fights; one had severe wounds believed caused by recent combat.
Investigators also discovered equipment associated with organized dog fighting inside sheds on Bradford’s property—including veterinary supplies, anabolic steroids intended for horses, devices used for forced breeding (“breeding stands”), training tools linked with execution methods, pedigrees documenting fight histories—and found firearms plus crack cocaine evidence indicating it was produced onsite.
The investigation was conducted jointly by USDA officials, USMS personnel, Mitchell County Sheriff’s Office staffers along with Code Enforcement officers; assistance came from Georgia Bureau of Investigation agents.
Senior Trial Attorney Ethan Eddy from ENRD’s Environmental Crimes Section together with Criminal Chief Leah McEwen from the U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecuted this case.
This prosecution falls under Operation Take Back America—a nationwide effort combining resources across several Justice Department initiatives aimed at disrupting violent crime networks including cartels and transnational criminal organizations through programs such as Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN).
