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COVINGTON, Ga. – After a call came in reporting a possible dog fighting ring in the city of Covington, local police responded and arrested two men and took possession of five dogs who were found to be actively fighting when police arrived. 

According to a news release from the Covington Police Department, around 1:45 p.m. Oct. 22, officers responded to the end of the cul-de-sac on Allen Drive with the tip of a dog fighting ring. 

“Officer (Brandon) Wilkerson and (Officer Scott) Fairburn arrived with Newton County Animal Control and were able to hear dogs crying and barking loudly in the woods behind 10214 Allen Drive,” according to the release. “They began to walk through the woods and they could immediately tell that dogs were actively fighting. As they walked closer, the announced themselves as Covington police.

“Several dogs were fighting and three males were standing around them, each holding a Pitbull on a leash.”

According to the release, one of the men took off running when the officers announced their presence. 

“The two males that did not run were told to tie the dogs to the three and to walk away from the dogs,” according to the release.

The men were identified as Richard Cobb and Darrell Barber, both of Covington. The two were arrested and charged with felony dogfighting. 

“Animal Control took possession of five dogs total,” according to the release. “The ‘bait dog’ (the one dog the others were fighting) was still alive but moving slowly and had blood coming from its head and had bite marks on its back.”

According to the CPD release, the Humane Society of the United States offers a $5,000 reward for information of dogfighting or cockfighting that leads to an arrest and conviction.