Deputies arrested a Rayville man for participating in a dog fight Sunday.

Richland Parish Chief Deputy Terry Thompson said the sheriff’s office received a complain about a disturbance at 112 Ruth St., Rayville, about 8 p.m. Monday night.

“Deputy Frank Marble responded and observed five or six males standing around a dog fighting pit,” Thompson said.

All of the men ran when they spotted the deputy watching them. Marble then called for backup and deputies Terry Parrish and Frank Smith arrived at the crime scene.

Thompson said deputies discovered eight grown dogs and a puppy as well as the bodies of three dead dogs which had apparently died as a result of fighting.

Deputies then seized the cars which were left behind when the participants fled on foot.

Thonpson said Tykirrus J. Kelly, 24, of 316 Russell St., Apt. 16, Rayville, was arrested Monday when he contacted the sheriff’s office about his car.

“A witness told us that he owned the dogs that were fighting,” Thompson said.

He was charged with dog fighting and resisting an officer.

Thompson said taking part in training or causing dogs to fight is a felony which can result in a fine of from $1,000 to $25,000 and one to 10 years in prison.

The dogs were turned over to the Delta Humane Society Monday night.

“We were happy to comply and thrilled that local law enforcement is becoming more proactive on matters relating to all animal abuse, including fighting,” Casey Lattimer of the Delta Humane Society said. “In the past, one of the reasons little has been done in these situations is that there was no resource to help handle and house the seized animals. With the help of DHS, and since it was a small number of dogs, that wasn’t the case this time.”

She added that the DHS was pleased with the way in which deputies dealt with the animals involved.

“The deputies on the scene were both professional and compassionate in helping us with some very ill, stressed and in some cases, aggressive dogs,” she said. “It was dark. Some of the dogs were loose. Most were chained with logging chains. The deputies could have chosen to just step back but they didn’t. Thanks to them, the animals are all getting care and some very bad people will be off the streets.”

Lattimer also feels the incident emphasizes how much an animal shelter is needed in the community.

“My praise to the sheriff’s department especially Deputy Parrish, in how they handled every aspect of the investigation, especially in their help to us,” she said. “In their honor, we’ve named all of the dogs after fire arms. Including the three-day-old puppy, Bullet, that we missed but one of the deputies found.”