PAULDING COUNTY, Ga. – January 30, 2025 – District Attorney Robert S. Lane announces that earlier today Superior Court Judge Dean C. Bucci sentenced Vincent Lemark Burrell, 57, to serve 475 years in prison, the maximum sentence possible. Burrell was found guilty of 103 counts, 93 counts of Dog Fighting and 10 counts of Cruelty to Animals, following a four-day-long jury trial that ended on January 30, 2025.

The charges stem from an investigation involving the Paulding County Sheriff’s Office, the Paulding County Marshals Office, Paulding County Animal Control, and the United States Department of Agriculture, Office of the Inspector General. The case began when officers responded to a complaint from an Amazon driver who was concerned about the welfare of the dogs he saw on the defendant’s property when he observed numerous dogs tied up to fence posts on heavy chains. The dogs were chained close to each other but just out of reach, a tactic that serves to build dog aggression.

On November 8, 2022, the Paulding County Sheriff’s Office and the Paulding County Marshal’s Office arrived at Burrell’s property to execute a search warrant. On the property, they found 107 dogs, most of which were tied on heavy logging changes in the defendant’s backyard. The dogs did not have access to food or water and most were underweight or very underweight.

Additionally, numerous items associated with dog fighting, including a chicken being used to entice the dogs, a treadmill designed for dogs, a breeding stand, a break stick (used to pry open the jaws of a dog during a fight), documents linking Burrell’s dogs to other known dog fighters, a crash kit commonly used to treat dogs after a dog fight, medication used only by licensed veterinarians, and contracts for the sale of specific dogs were found on the defendant’s property.

The same day, a veterinarian examined the dogs and found, among other concerns, that they had rashes around their necks from their collars and scarring patterns consistent with dog fighting. Several of the dogs had teeth that had been forcibly removed from their mouth. The Paulding County Animal Shelter took custody of the dogs that were then seized pursuant to a federal seizure warrant by Special Agent Douglas Bridges with the United States Department of Agriculture, Office of the Inspector General. The dogs were subsequently taken to a rescue organization.

Burrell was arrested on November 8, 2022, and charged with dog fighting and cruelty to animals.

“The average person doesn’t realize how prevalent dog fighting still is. But the more we talk about this issue and educate the public, the more people will understand that dogs aren’t ‘just’ property, and you cannot treat them in this way,” said Chief Marshal Trevor Hess. “We appreciate the District Attorney’s Office for taking this case on, recognizing it as a serious case, and holding the defendant accountable. Dog fighting is a felony crime and must be investigated and prosecuted as such.”

“Dog fighters operate hidden in plain sight, in an organized, criminal enterprise that includes breeding and selling dogs, training dogs, hosting and spectating violent fights, and fighting dogs to the point of exhaustion or serious injury. It is a despicable activity that is incredibly cruel to the dogs,” said Animal Crimes Resource Prosecutor Jessica K. Rock, Prosecuting Attorneys’ Council of Georgia. “By prosecuting dog fighters, we bring this underground world to light, ensure that these dogs receive the justice they deserve, and work toward someday completely eradicating this crime.”

“Let this be a clear message that Paulding County will not accept or condone the inhumane treatment of animals – especially the violence and abuse associated with dog fighting,” said the lead Prosecutor on the case K.C. Pagnotta. “It is time as a society that we step up and stop the abuse and mistreatment of innocent animals. Ordinary citizens can play a part in stopping the abuse of animals by recognizing signs of dog fighting and reporting concerns to law enforcement.”

“Justice was served today for the voiceless. This type of activity will not be tolerated in Paulding County,” said Sheriff Ashley Henson who encourages anyone with information about similar activities in Paulding to call 911 or, if they wish, they may leave an anonymous tip at 770-443-3047 or via the Paulding Sheriff’s Office app.

“I am very thankful that our citizens are protected by some of the finest men and women who work countless, and often thankless, hours to ensure that Paulding County remains a safe community for our families,” said District Attorney Robert S. Lane.

The case was investigated by the Paulding County Sheriff’s Office and the Paulding County Marshal’s Office and prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney K.C. Pagnotta, Office of the District Attorney, Paulding Judicial Circuit and Jessica K. Rock, Animal Crimes Resource Prosecutor, Prosecuting Attorneys Council of Georgia.