"GODFATHER" of Dog-Fighting BUSTED (Louisiana)

KATC3 ^ | Mar 11, 2005 | Staff

[kanawa]

Boudreaux and his son Guy had been under investigation by state police since January. The streaming video shows aerial surveillance footage of the Boudreaux property in Broussard.

It was shot by Customs agents with the Department of Homeland Security.

The Boudreaux's had come under the gaze of Customs because of their international sales of pit-bull terriers.

The Boudreauxs were arrested today at their south Lafayette parish home. 2 1/2 months of investigation ended today at this home behind me when investigators made their move.

Investigators say 70 year-old Floyd Boudreaux is one of the most notorious dog breeders in Louisiana who raises his pit bull dogs to fight, then sells them off.

This morning, state police working with local and national Humane Societies and federal agencies served a warrant and arrested Floyd and his son Guy Boudreaux.

John Goodwin, Humane Society of the United States:

"Floyd Boudreaux is the fighting-dog Don. He's been breeding dogs for fighting purposes for 50 years. Some of his dogs are the foundation of some of the most prominent fighting lines in existence today."

At Boudreaux's home police found 68 pit bulls and 40 chickens and roosters. Many of the dogs had scars and bruises.

Laura Maloney, Society for the Prev. of Cruelty to Animals:

"This is a historical case. If we get him, it will send ripples through the dog-fighting community and nationwide."

Some people living in this Broussard neighborhood are outraged about the alleged dog abuse.

Jess Spiehler, Broussard Resident:

"I guess what bothers me the most is that they're on a 3 foot chains. Big, heavy chains. They spend their life under a chicken coop on a chain. That is not a life......that's horrible."

Boudreaux and his son were charged with 64 counts each of dog-fighting and animal cruelty. They're also facing charges for allegedly using steroids on the animals.

[Buck7]

Your Welcome.

Animal aggression is the same as prey drive. Pit bulls see other dogs as prey. Any member of the terrier breeds have a strong prey drive. A rat terrier wants to chase rats and so on. What you are saying, correct me if I am wrong, is that because Jack Russell Terriers are aggressive towards prey, they are also human aggressive. Any body that has met a properly bred and raised Jack Russel Terrier would tell you that it is the complete opposite. The same goes for pit bulls. There is no such thing as a properly bred pit bull doing anything but beg for attention from humans. As I stated earlier, look on the www.atts.org website. Could a dog with such a high prey drive do so well in temperament testing if "aggression is aggression"?
As for the forum and dogfighting. The wins that are listed are from fights in the past, before it was illegal. Dogfighting is inhumane. Yet, we do recognize it as a vital part of our breeds history, as it did shape the dogs into what we admire so much. If there are members that do fight dogs, they do not represent the forum as a whole. Any participation in illegal activities is frowned upon. I, personally, am upset that people on forums would speak of illegal acts, as it does further damage to our breed's and owner's reputation. I also know that the majority of the forum feels the same.

[HairOfTheDog]

What you are saying, correct me if I am wrong, is that because Jack Russell Terriers are aggressive towards prey, they are also human aggressive.

Not really what I am saying at all. Whether dogs view us as leader, threat or potential prey depends on the stability of their mind and their upbringing and training.

But there is nothing inherent in US that makes us instinctively off-limits to a dog who is protective of is territory, or a dog that likes to chase moving prey, or a dog who thinks he should be the most dominant in the group. How they see us is in their imprinting and training.

Prey drive in a stable temperament is very effectively targeted. My experience is with Labrador bird dogs and to some extent, German Shepherd Schutzhund dogs. Both have prey drive that is strong, both have very different temperaments molded for the type of work they have been bred to do. My old labrador simply did not have it in him to think he could challenge a person for dominance... be it family or intruder. Schutzhund dogs, on the other hand, are taught that people, under very specific and controlled circumstances, are acceptable prey. Control, in that instance, is key.

Stability, in a Schutzhund dog, is key. They have been bred and honed to work very closely with people. Pit bulls, on the other hand, have had no complex assignment beyond fighting another dog, sometimes to the death, alone, in a ring. Their only requirement beyond being able to fight, is being moderately controllable enough for the owner to retrieve him, treat his injuries and tie him back out in the yard.

The temperament needed in an excellent pit bull ain't exactly the brain power needed to run a complex search pattern for a bad guy, and needing to decide in the heat of the chase how much force is required to hold him there and to use only what is needed.

Here's a question: If these dogs are so valuable to you and if their comfort were important, why aren't they kenneled? Why the big ship anchor chains and minimal shelters 'out in the yard?' Chaining makes them more aggressive, why do you need them to be more aggressive in order to pull or show? Temperament testing is no real test. most moderately trained pet or show dog can take those tests. Show people who show pits go out of their way to test their dogs. I know why they do it. Don't you think it confuses the issue to try to make them into pets? Isn't that why accidents happen and kids get mauled? I have to go now, for awhile.... I'll not be able to respond again until tonight.

[muslims=borg]

There's fighting for fun and then there's fighting. If you have two dogs that have been around each other since they were puppies they will always tangle. They enjoy it and they need to blow off some steam. Like I said when they got out of control I broke them up. Maybe you don't understand that because you've never had a couple of dogs like this. I'm not into zero tolerance policies so I let them do whats in their blood, to a point. You know what I think is cruel ? People who buy hunting dogs and don't use them to hunt but instead keep them locked up in the house or an apartment. Thats sick if you ask me.

[Buck7]

"Their only requirement beyond being able to fight, is being moderately controllable enough for the owner to retrieve him, treat his injuries and tie him back out in the yard."

That is incorrect. The dogs are not to be moderately controllable. When the dogs were fought, you could not have a "moderately controllable" dog. A moderately controllable dog will become dangerous in a heated situation. He would not be able to control himself properly and would cause harm to the handler. It is imperative that any dog showing any human aggression to be culled(humanely removed from the breeding program) immediately. Human aggression can be removed from the gene pool through these culling practices throughout many, many years.

You mention Schutzund. No pit bull should ever participate in this activity as it opposes the essense of the breed and destroys what has been developed. There have been debates on www.game-dog.com concerning this issue. If you were to investigate, you will see that the majority absolutely opposes any Schutzund work or anything that will cause the breed to exhibit any human aggression. It is completely and utterly unacceptable. Once again, any pit bull that exhibits human aggression is not worthy of the name.

The reason that you have pit bulls attacking people is because of improper breeding standards and raising. Any dog, regardless of breed can be dangerous, if it is raised to be. Sadly, with the overwhelming popularity of subpar representations of the breed, we have irresponsible owners raising these dogs to be human aggressive. This is because of their lack of knowledge of the breed. Many believe that the breed is supposed to be human aggressive and they purchase the dog for that reason and abuse the dog when it loves them to death. I wonder where these people would get the idea that these dogs are supposed to be human aggressive?? Maybe the media????
However, dogs can be bred without aggression to humans in the same way that prey drive is bred into the gene pool.

As for kenneling pit bulls; it is impossible. You can not kennel a pit bull. It will break out of that kennel before you can blink. Then what you will have in your hands is a yard full of fighting pit bulls.

You also mention something about temperment testing "confuses the issue to try to make them into pets". The truth is, pit bulls make great pets, if you have a complete knowledge of the breed and know exactly what you are getting into. All of my dogs have been "pets" and I have never had a problem. The problem is, they are a status symbol now and everyone wants one. They get the dog without any idea of the breeds personality. They are very energetic and can be a handful if their energy is not properly redirected. Many people do not understand that the dogs will be animal aggressive regardless of their upbringing. Then they freak out when it attacks the neighbors collie. These are the main reasons why shelters are filled to the brim with pit bulls.

[DUMBGRUNT]

You may like this thread.
Ass Kicks Cougar

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1376303/posts

http://www.tombstonetumbleweed.com/This_Week/BadAssKillsCougar/badasskillscougar.HTM
If time permits I click your FR page to enjoy the photos.
The ears pic is my favorite, sometimes I recall while out with our Australian Shepard's. The view may be different but the kinship is the same.

[HairOfTheDog]

Why thank you!

I have seen the Mule cougar pics before... really quite remarkable!

[HairOfTheDog]

". The truth is, pit bulls make great pets, if you have a complete knowledge of the breed and know exactly what you are getting into... Many people do not understand that the dogs will be animal aggressive regardless of their upbringing. Then they freak out when it attacks the neighbors collie.

With all due respect, no animal that will be aggressive no matter what it's upbringing is a great pet. Most people should not want a dog that will kill if it ever gets loose. But I do appreciate someone else knowledgeable about the breed who will at least validate the opinion I've held for some time... That I feel for the beasts, but pit bulls are innappropriate as pets for most people. The headlines about maulings only punctuate that fact.

[Buck7]

You are correct, pit bulls are inappropriate for most people. It takes a responsible owner who is willing to do research on the breed so they will know what to expect. These dogs are extremely driven and it can be too much for most people. Unfortunately, many people think of pit bulls as they would a beagle and they don't know what to do when the dog shows aggression towards another dog. I honestly hope that this fad with pit bulls will soon fade and the improper breeding practices will fade away with it.
As for the comment concerning headlines and maulings, almost nobody can pick a pit bull out of a line up. Pit bulls are often mistaken for other breeds. There was a mauling in my town not too long ago that was said to be done by a pit bull. A couple of days later, it was noted to be a german shepherd mix. They weren't even close. The media wants nothing but your attention. They do not care about the defamation of a breed.
If you don't believe me, take this test, see if you can find the pit bull.

http://www.pitbullsontheweb.com/petbull/findpit.html

[HairOfTheDog]

They are not all cases of mistaken identity. Pit bulls do often actually maul people... and they don't look a thing like a Greater Swiss Mountain dog.

You may delude others with pictures of rare breeds that look a little like a pit but are rarely seen roaming the streets, but you don't delude me. I know a pit when I see one, and I don't think all these street punks are keeping "Cadebo" dogs and "Dogo Argentinos" nor any of the other rare pit-type dogs that are set up there as 'gotcha' answers...

Many of pit bulls are loose cannons. You admit that, but not the damage they do...

[Buck7]

I never said that pit bulls are loose cannons and I never said that these dogs have not mauled anyone. What I did say is, pit bulls are not human aggressive by nature but through subpar standards and improper breeding there are many variations of the breed. These are a very poor representations of the breed. However, they do exist. A properly bred and raised dog will never attack a person.

I am not here to "delude" as you say but to discuss this matter in a civil manner. Many of the dogs on that site are popular and can be seen on the streets. Dogos, Presa Canerios, Alapaha Blue Bloods, and Cane Corsos, for example, are very popular.

Also, you mention that Swiss Mountain dogs do not look anything like a pit bull. My dog is tri-color. He shares the exact same markings as a Swiss Mountain dog and was actually confused for one the other day at the park.

Once again, I will say that properly bred and raised pit bulls are not "loose cannons". Any pit bull that does attack a person is a poor representation of the breed. The dogs are not responsible, the owners are. The same goes with any other dog.

[HairOfTheDog]

In that dogs do not have a moral code, they are never to be 'blamed' in the classic sense. But they are inappropriate for most people as pets, and at least we agree on that. :~D

We'll never probably reach a higher level of agreement than that.

I'm a dog lover, but a discriminating one where some breeds are concerned. I don't like the PC line so often passed around by some dog enthusiasts who say pit bulls are just the same as any other dog if raised properly... at the same time that many many pits are still very much bred and raised to fight. Like you said, people end up with dogs they are not prepared to handle. I think it's a dangerous bit of propaganda that gets people and other pets killed.

I appreciate your level of polite discourse here... Perhaps you'll look around and enjoy this the forum if you have interests other than just pit bull talk. And even if you only talk pit bulls, eventually, you'll meet our FReeper ambrose, who posts the story if a pit bull so much as farts anywhere in the world. Welcome to Free Republic!

[Buck7]

Thank you!

[Buck7]

Here are some examples of the false image of the breed that is portrayed by the media. I am not denying the fact that pit bulls have attacked, I am stating that the media has contributed to the demonization of our breed by labeling attacks done by various breeds as pit bulls. Every one knows that the media does whatever it takes to get ratings, regardless of the outcome.

Newspaper and Media Accounts of Dog Attacks

The media has vast influence over our perceptions of which breeds of dogs are dangerous, as they decide which dog attack stories to publish. With over 4.7 million dog bites recorded each year in the United States and with over 800,000 of these attacks serious enough to require medical attention, the resources for dog-bite stories appear unlimited. Yet, the media seems to delight in Pit bull related stories, so much so, that in their haste to report the latest Pit bull attack story the truth often takes a backseat to sensationalism.

Listed below is a small sampling of inaccurate and misleading media accounts that have caused irreparable damage to the image of Pit Bulls:

Killer Pit Bulls Rip Granny to ShredsNew York Post (NYPost.com) Dec. 11, 2002
Pet Pit Bulls Kill Woman, 80, in Her HomeThe New York Times (nytimes.com) Dec. 11, 2002
[The victim's daughter and granddaughter (owner of the dogs) could not believe the dogs, a female Pit Bull and a male Lab/Pit mix attacked and killed the elderly woman. The family hired a forensic pathologist to review the case. It was determined that although the victim had sustained some dog bites, all the bites were non-lethal and post-mortem. The grandmother was not "ripped to shreds" by the dogs but died from cardiac arrhythmia. Both dogs were eventually returned to their owners.]

Pit Bull Attack Victim Leaves Hospital WTVO (Channel 17) April 25, 2003
Man Struggles to Recover from Pit Bull Attack WTVO (Channel 17) April 29, 2003
[The man in this case was never bitten by a Pit bull. Indeed, there is no mention of the dog making contact with the man at all. Instead, the man was running from the dog and he ran into the road and "slammed" into a passing van. He sustained serious injuries from the collision with the vehicle.]

Pit Bull Horror New York Daily News February 7, 2004
Pit Bull Mauls 3-Year-Old's Face New York Newsday February 6, 2004
[A Bronx family owned a Boxer dog and a German Shepherd puppy that usually were kept in the basement as guard dogs. Two days before the girl was bitten, the family took in a Pit Bull. The 3-year-old was alone playing with the three dogs when a dogfight started. At this point the girl was bitten in the face by the Boxer (also reported to be an American bulldog). It was later acknowledged that the Pit bull (also reported to be a Pit bull mix and a "pet bulldog") was not involved in the attack on the girl]

Cortland Pit Bull Mauling Death WBNG.com (Channel 12) Dec. 9, 2002
[It was later determined that although the Pit bull participated in the death of 24-year-old Eric Tallman, the dog did not inflict the fatal wounds. The victim died from blunt force injury. It was later revealed that the victim was beaten to death by an acquaintance over a drug debt.]

Barstow Trial Opens in Boy's Death: Pit bulls fatally mauled Cash Carson, 10. The Press-Enterprise May 5, 2001
Murder Charges Filed in Pit Bull Mauling The Associated Press June 17, 2000
[This tragic case of a 10-year-old boy killed by dogs was carried extensively in the media. The dogs were repeatedly headlined as "Pit Bulls". Neither of these dogs were "Pit Bulls". One appeared to be a Pit Bull Mix and the other dog (the male that inflicted the fatal wounds) was clearly a mixed breed dog. Animal Control and photographs of the dog more accurately identify him as a possible Chow/Pit Bull mixed breed.]

Vancouver Girl Badly Injured in Pit Bull Attack CTV News Dec. 23, 2002
[This was a very severe attack and as such garnered much media attention. As a result of more in-depth coverage the breed was later correctly identified as a Mastiff/Rottweiler mixed breed]

Family's Pit Bull Kills Boy, 20, months The Gainesville Sun May 8, 2000
20-month-old Killed by Bull Terrier Naples Daily News May 9, 2000
[This child was not killed by a Pit Bull, nor a Bull Terrier, nor a "family" dog. How the dog came to be labelled a "Pit bull" is unexplained. The owner described the dog to be a Labrador/Mastiff/Rottweiler cattle dog. The dog was used to herd cattle and was kept chained on the property. Animal control and the Alachua Sheriff's office confirm the dog was a mixed breed. Photographs of the dog reveal no discernable breed.]

Another serious problem with the image of Pit Bulls is the over-reporting of Pit Bull attacks vs. other breed attacks. Unquestionably, a disporportionate amount of media attention is given to Pit Bull attacks. One example of this is a recent fatal attack in Detroit by a Pit Bull. This story ran in over 30 separate national newspapers and was also picked up by FOX news, CNN and two British newspapers. Two weeks earlier a man was killed by his German Shepherd Dog and this story ran only in the local community newspaper.

[Buck7]

Here are some examples of the false image of the breed that is portrayed by the media. I am not denying the fact that pit bulls have attacked, I am stating that the media has contributed to the demonization of our breed by labeling attacks done by various breeds as pit bulls. Every one knows that the media does whatever it takes to get ratings, regardless of the outcome.

Newspaper and Media Accounts of Dog Attacks

The media has vast influence over our perceptions of which breeds of dogs are dangerous, as they decide which dog attack stories to publish. With over 4.7 million dog bites recorded each year in the United States and with over 800,000 of these attacks serious enough to require medical attention, the resources for dog-bite stories appear unlimited. Yet, the media seems to delight in Pit bull related stories, so much so, that in their haste to report the latest Pit bull attack story the truth often takes a backseat to sensationalism.

Listed below is a small sampling of inaccurate and misleading media accounts that have caused irreparable damage to the image of Pit Bulls:

Killer Pit Bulls Rip Granny to ShredsNew York Post (NYPost.com) Dec. 11, 2002
Pet Pit Bulls Kill Woman, 80, in Her HomeThe New York Times (nytimes.com) Dec. 11, 2002
[The victim's daughter and granddaughter (owner of the dogs) could not believe the dogs, a female Pit Bull and a male Lab/Pit mix attacked and killed the elderly woman. The family hired a forensic pathologist to review the case. It was determined that although the victim had sustained some dog bites, all the bites were non-lethal and post-mortem. The grandmother was not "ripped to shreds" by the dogs but died from cardiac arrhythmia. Both dogs were eventually returned to their owners.]

Pit Bull Attack Victim Leaves Hospital WTVO (Channel 17) April 25, 2003
Man Struggles to Recover from Pit Bull Attack WTVO (Channel 17) April 29, 2003
[The man in this case was never bitten by a Pit bull. Indeed, there is no mention of the dog making contact with the man at all. Instead, the man was running from the dog and he ran into the road and "slammed" into a passing van. He sustained serious injuries from the collision with the vehicle.]

Pit Bull Horror New York Daily News February 7, 2004
Pit Bull Mauls 3-Year-Old's Face New York Newsday February 6, 2004
[A Bronx family owned a Boxer dog and a German Shepherd puppy that usually were kept in the basement as guard dogs. Two days before the girl was bitten, the family took in a Pit Bull. The 3-year-old was alone playing with the three dogs when a dogfight started. At this point the girl was bitten in the face by the Boxer (also reported to be an American bulldog). It was later acknowledged that the Pit bull (also reported to be a Pit bull mix and a "pet bulldog") was not involved in the attack on the girl]

Cortland Pit Bull Mauling Death WBNG.com (Channel 12) Dec. 9, 2002
[It was later determined that although the Pit bull participated in the death of 24-year-old Eric Tallman, the dog did not inflict the fatal wounds. The victim died from blunt force injury. It was later revealed that the victim was beaten to death by an acquaintance over a drug debt.]

Barstow Trial Opens in Boy's Death: Pit bulls fatally mauled Cash Carson, 10. The Press-Enterprise May 5, 2001
Murder Charges Filed in Pit Bull Mauling The Associated Press June 17, 2000
[This tragic case of a 10-year-old boy killed by dogs was carried extensively in the media. The dogs were repeatedly headlined as "Pit Bulls". Neither of these dogs were "Pit Bulls". One appeared to be a Pit Bull Mix and the other dog (the male that inflicted the fatal wounds) was clearly a mixed breed dog. Animal Control and photographs of the dog more accurately identify him as a possible Chow/Pit Bull mixed breed.]

Vancouver Girl Badly Injured in Pit Bull Attack CTV News Dec. 23, 2002
[This was a very severe attack and as such garnered much media attention. As a result of more in-depth coverage the breed was later correctly identified as a Mastiff/Rottweiler mixed breed]

Family's Pit Bull Kills Boy, 20, months The Gainesville Sun May 8, 2000
20-month-old Killed by Bull Terrier Naples Daily News May 9, 2000
[This child was not killed by a Pit Bull, nor a Bull Terrier, nor a "family" dog. How the dog came to be labelled a "Pit bull" is unexplained. The owner described the dog to be a Labrador/Mastiff/Rottweiler cattle dog. The dog was used to herd cattle and was kept chained on the property. Animal control and the Alachua Sheriff's office confirm the dog was a mixed breed. Photographs of the dog reveal no discernable breed.]

Another serious problem with the image of Pit Bulls is the over-reporting of Pit Bull attacks vs. other breed attacks. Unquestionably, a disporportionate amount of media attention is given to Pit Bull attacks. One example of this is a recent fatal attack in Detroit by a Pit Bull. This story ran in over 30 separate national newspapers and was also picked up by FOX news, CNN and two British newspapers. Two weeks earlier a man was killed by his German Shepherd Dog and this story ran only in the local community newspaper.

[jerzyboys]

well i dont think they would hurt him since i have one of his dogs and it sleeps in my bed with me an my 3 year old

[Dawgreg]

Sorry folks, but I think there ought to be a special place in hell for people who abuse animals. I know I shouldn't wish anyone to hell but I can't help myself. I put them on an even keel with terrorists!

[kanawa]

Ping to those regular FR members who participated in this thread
and a courtesy ping to Buck7 from the guests.

Incredibly, after almost 2 and a half years, this case has not yet been resolve.

There 2 updates...starting with the oldest...

---

Dog-Fighting Charges Filed Against Father and Son
January 18, 2006

Charges have been filed in a high-profile dog-fighting case against two Acadiana men. Floyd Boudreaux and his son, Guy were arrested in March of 2005. Now, the father and son have been charged with 48 counts of dog-fighting. They've also been charged with one count of possession of testosterone and one count of ketamine, both of which are Schedule III narcotics. Cruelty to animals charges are still on hold. Almost 70 pit bulls, some of them puppies, were seized from the Boudreaux's property and were later euthanized.

Floyd and Guy Boudreaux

---

Dog-fighting in St. Martin Parish Leading to More Arrests
Aug 20, 2007

Saint Martin Parish authorities say recent dog-fighting arrests are leading to new investigations. A Catahoula man now faces felony dog-fighting charges for allegedly housing the animals on his property.

St. Martin Parish Animal Control Coordinator Sara Glasgow says the parish kennel is full. She says high profile dog-fighting cases in recent months are prompting more people to report more possible cases. In the latest case 34-year old Chad Boudreaux is accused of housing and selling fighting dogs at his home on Pete Guidry Rd.

Glasgow says a total of 17 dogs were picked up at the home, 10 adult pit bulls and seven puppies. Those dogs will be housed at animal control until they're euthanized. Other evidence from that case includes things like syringes, IVs and equipment authorities say Boudreaux had at the home.

The evidence also includes official registration papers for most of the adult dogs. Investigators say some of the documents may prove a connection to the Boudreaux blood line of pit bulls.

State Police raided Floyd Boudreaux's home near Broussard in 2005. Investigators say dogs from his line carried a strong reputation in dog-fighting circles. At the time State Police called Boudreuax the "Don of Dog-fighting in Louisiana."

Glasgow says the case against Chad Boudreaux will be turned over to the district attorney's office. He currently faces a felony dog-fighting charge and a possession of marijuana charge issued by Saint Martin Parish Sheriff's Office narcotics agents.

Meanwhile, Floyd Boudreaux has been charged with 48 counts of dog-fighting, and two counts of possession of schedule three drugs. His son, Guy, has been charged as principal to 48 counts of dog-fighting.

After several continuances in the case, a new trial date for both men has been set for January 14th, 2008.

---

[wardaddy]

man some of these posts on these dog threads are about the most pitchfork and torches remarks I’ve seen around here since last time a cop shot a teenaged scraper thief and paralyzed him or Paris Hilton went to jail

dang....I wish folks got this animated over other stuff....

...like abortion, gun rights , smoke nazis

[wardaddy]

I can't even watch the Discovery channel when they have those survival in the wild shows

there's help for that marty

[wardaddy]

lol.....you sure post to a few no longer here freepers on that ping list dear. don't be bigoted (man I rarely get to use that word that so many here love to unsheath)against pits...they're God's creatures too even if they are ...pardon the expression....dogfoodugly

they are a true American dog...think Spanky