Prosecutors charge Sapulpa couple in dogfighting ring

<br>SAPULPA, Okla. (AP) _ Creek County prosecutors have filed 53 counts against a Sapulpa couple for allegedly operating a dogfighting ring on their property. <br><br>Charges including possessing dogs

Tuesday, December 3rd 2002, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

SAPULPA, Okla. (AP) _ Creek County prosecutors have filed 53 counts against a Sapulpa couple for allegedly operating a dogfighting ring on their property.

Charges including possessing dogs for fighting, facilitating a dogfight, keeping a place and equipment for dogfighting and two counts of animal cruelty were filed Monday against James and Jeanne Fiarris.

The couple have a Dec. 17 court appearance.

Fiarris, 56, was released last week on his own recognizance because of health reasons. His wife was released on bond.

The couple and two others were arrested after officers conducted a sting operation prompted by complaints from neighbors about high traffic and numerous dogs at the Fiarris home.

An undercover officer asked Fiarris if he sold dogs for fighting and was allegedly told ``yes,'' said Cpl. Terry Burton, a Creek County investigator.

Authorities found three arenas and 53 pit bull terriers on the property north of Kellyville Nov. 27 after deputies and state troopers served a search warrant.

Roger Scott, a Tulsa city employee, also was charged with possessing dogs for fighting. The 50-year-old Catoosa resident was released on bond.

Steven King, 37, of Broken Arrow, was charged with encouraging dogfighting. He also was released on bond.

They, too, are scheduled to be arraigned Dec. 17.

Burton said the arena had chairs arranged around it and ``blood all over the walls.''

Two of the pit bull terriers were hurt badly enough to need medical attention. The others appeared to be in fair shape, though many had scrapes and cuts.

Burton said he had 25 calls on Monday from people wanting to adopt some of the pit bulls, but he told callers that the dogs were not available and were still being cared for by their owners.

``State law doesn't allow us to confiscate the dogs, unless it's after a conviction,'' Burton said.

James Fiarris allegedly told authorities he had been operating the dogfighting business for two or three years, Burton said.

Dogfighting has been illegal in Oklahoma since 1961.