Search on for leader of Panola County dogfighting ring

BATESVILLE, Miss. (AP) – Authorities in Mississippi are searching for a man they said hosted a multi-state dogfighting ring that involved injecting dogs with narcotics to make them fight harder.

WHBQ-TV reported the Panola County Sheriff’s Office is seeking Scottie Durell Draper on felony dogfighting charges.

The sheriff’s office said an anonymous tip led deputies to stop by Draper’s property over the weekend.

It said deputies found about 30 people watching a dog fight and most of them escaped custody.

Sheriff Dennis Darby said several “mangled” dogs were rescued from the scene.