Israela Katz and John David Putnam entered guilty pleas on Tuesday to felony charges of animal fighting.
It was the first felony conviction for animal fighting in Hamilton County, according to Guy Bilyeu, executive director of the Humane Educational Society.
They received one-year suspended sentences, and they cannot have any animals.
The pair appeared before Criminal Court Judge Don Poole.
Mr. Bilyeu said Humane Educational Society Animal Control Officer Dale Olsen on Sept. 20, 2004, began an investigation of dog fighting at the Putnam residence in Soddy-Daisy. He said on Sept. 22, 2004, Officer Olsen and Det. Michael Sneed of the Soddy-Daisy Police Department sent an individual in with a wire to purchase a pit bull from Mrs. Putnam.
During the purchase Putnam allowed two of the dogs to fight to prove that the animals were “game” (a term used to show how well dogs perform when fighting), it was stated.
During the fight Putnam repeatedly encouraged the dogs to fight and finally had to break up the fight before one of the dogs was killed, Mr. Bilyeu said. Officer Olsen and Det. Sneed heard the entire conversation and recorded the incident on tape.
Shortly thereafter, Officer Olsen and Det. Sneed arrived at the scene and witnessed the two injured pit bulls. Officer Olsen charged Ms. Putnam and her husband with cruelty to animals and dog fighting.
Mr. Bilyeu said, "Officers found a treadmill, a spring pole, a break stick, dog fighting publications and other devices used to train dogs for this cruel sport."
In all, 22 pit bulls were taken to the HES and kept under strict observation.
Mr. Bilyeu said, "Many of the animals had numerous injuries from previous fights. Even the younger pit bulls had scars and wounds. All of the animals had to be kept separated as they had been trained to kill other animals.
“It is totally unacceptable for anyone to have enjoyment or gain profit from fighting animals. These dogs were bred for one purpose and, while they were at our shelter, they were very aggressive towards other dogs. The first day they arrived at our shelter, one pit bull got out of her cage and immediately attacked a small German Shepherd that was being walked. The pit bull grabbed the German Shepherd by the throat and, when I jumped in to pull her off of the German Shepherd, she proceeded to lick me.
"Unfortunately, they have been taught that they will be rewarded for being aggressive towards other animals.
"Numerous law enforcement raids have unearthed many disturbing facets of this illegal 'sport.' Young children are sometimes present at the events, which promote insensitivity to animal suffering, enthusiasm for violence, and a lack of respect for the law. Illegal gambling is the norm at dogfights. Dog owners and spectators wager thousands of dollars on their favorites. Firearms and other weapons have been found at dogfights because of the large amounts of cash present. Animals are often stolen to use as bait for fighting dogs. And dog fighting has been connected to other kinds of violence — even homicide, according to newspaper reports. In addition, illegal drugs are often sold and used at dogfights.
“I know there are others who fight dogs in the city of Chattanooga and Hamilton County as we are constantly receiving animals that have scars and wounds from fighting. I hope this will send a clear message to others that fight animals in our county that this barbaric sport is unacceptable, is a serious threat to the safety of our community and we will prosecute anyone we find involved with animal fighting.”