Investigation Begins After Wounded Dogs, Bones Found In Tulsa County

Tulsa County sheriff's deputies are investigating a possible dog fighting ring after several dogs were found dead.

Investigators have not released many details, but animal advocates say all signs point to animal cruelty.

It's clear people often dump trash along 56th Street North near Yale Avenue in Tulsa County.

But what Chayle Gibson discovered under a coat brought her to tears.

"We named him Liam, which means strong willed warrior," animal welfare advocate Chayle Gibson said.

Liam was dumped in the ditch and barely alive.

"I walked over to him, and I kept calling him and snapping and clapping and he wouldn't acknowledge me," Gibson said. "He didn't even raise his head."

She managed to get him to the vet.

"He had severe wounds to both sides of his face," Gibson said. "His right side had been torn up. He had a big gaping hole and he had several puncture wounds on the side of his face… They said he was suffering and he would have to be tube fed and that's not fair. That's not humane, so they humanely put him down."

Animal advocate Ruth Steinberger said it appears the area is a dumping zone for fighting dogs that have seen their last brawl.

Two dead dogs abandoned by a tarp.

And down the street -- bones and fur.

"There's a lot of signs that was criminal activity, typical of animal fighting," Steinberger said. "If you have a pet dog die, you don't normally dump it by the side of the road."

TCSO Capt. Paul Tryon said the investigation is ongoing.

"It is strange we find several dogs at the same location, but at this point, we have no idea what's occurred, when it occurred, so we don't want to jump to any conclusions," Tryon said.

Liam and the other four dead dogs are all pit bulls.

"It's an amazing, amazing breed and that just breaks my heart that someone would do that and still be able to sleep at night," Gibson said. "It doesn't get easier. It never gets easier to see them hurt. They don't deserve it."

The Oklahoma Alliance for Animals is issuing a $2,500 reward for anyone with information.