Pit bull in dog fighting case released to county, headed to rehab

The dog was released to the county and then sent to a rescue group in Atlanta, which placed it in pit bull rehab.

Criminal charges are still pending against its former owner, Johnny Johnson, of Danielsville.

The case could go to court in October or November.

The dog is said to have been part of Johnson’s alleged dog fighting operation, “Shakedown Kennels.”

The pit bull spent three days at the Madison Oglethorpe Animal Shelter (MOAS). Susan Fornash, director of MOAS, described the dog as “fine with people; a little leery of other dogs” during his stay.

“I would say that he was not aggressive with people,” she said.

The animal shelter kept the dog isolated, due to the sensitivity of the situation.

Fornash described the pit bull as “a pretty dog,” who showed no scars. She added that he was rather small, weighing just 24 pounds.

Before the dog was officially released to the county, the district attorney’s office seized it as evidence with a warrant, overturning the Madison County Animal Control Board’s ruling in November to return the dog to Johnson.

Fornash said housing the dog was an uncomfortable situation from the beginning.

In fact, the shelter kept the dog’s whereabouts a secret. Workers covered his run with a sheet, so anybody looking at dogs couldn’t see him.

“Because we didn’t want the notoriety, I guess you would say,” she said. “We didn’t want to get in the middle of the whole thing. All we wanted is for the dog to be OK.”

Once MOAS received word that he’d been released to the county, the shelter immediately searched for prospective rescue groups. When one agreed to take him, MOAS neutered the dog.

Fornash said the situation ended as best as it could.

“I know as far as we’re concerned, it had a happy ending,” she said.