Rankin County officials picked up Anton Jerome Claborne, 39, of Oak Ridge Way for dog fighting, animal cruelty and other local ordinance violations.
On Tuesday Clayborne was charged with dog fighting and animal cruelty. His bond was set at $2,500.
A search warrant was executed on Saturday August 12, at Clayborne’s address after a complaint about the conditions the dogs were living in was called in. Deputies found 19 Staffordshire Terriers on heavy chains that were attached to axles and buried in the ground.
One of the terriers was found in a wire crate on the back porch without water and a 4.5 pound weight attached to its collar.
Deputies found training equipment like treadmills, a slat mill, weighted vests and weighted collars, dog fighting paraphernalia, and a large supply of supplements and medical supplies. These items are often used in dog fighting operations.
Clayborne will appear before Rankin County District Attorney Michael Guest and Rankin County Court Judge Kent McDaniel on Monday.
The dogs were all taken to a location where they can be cared for an examined by a veterinarian.
