Dogfighting “legend” Harry Hargrove sentenced to five years in prison
A 78-year-old North Carolina man described as a “legend” in the dogfighting world was sentenced today to five years in prison, the maximum a federal judge could impose.
Harry Hargrove of Duplin County was sentenced in U.S. District Court in Raleigh on dogfighting charges he pleaded guilty to earlier this year.
Prosecutors had sought a sentence longer than recommended federal guidelines of 10 months to 16 months.
A federal motion says Hargrove has been involved in dog-fighting in the South for about 40 years. He told Judge Terrence Boyle he once had more than 100 fighting dogs, but he’d cut back to 35 by the time he was arrested.
Police found jumper cables used to electrocute dogs on the property, as well as a blood-stained fighting pit and other tools usually used to condition dogs for fighting.
Hargrove was arrested last April after a lengthy investigation, during which he sold the dog at left, Hurricane Hugo, to an undercover officer.
In addition to Hargrove’s five-year sentence, the judge mandated three additional years of supervision after he is released.
Posted by jwoestendiek August 4th, 2011 under Muttsblog.
Tags: animal cruelty, animal welfare, animals, cruelty to animals, dog fighting, dogfighting, dogs, duplin county, federal court, five years, harry hargrove, hurricane hugo, judge terrence boyle, legend, pets, pit bull, pit bulls, pitbull, prison, sentence, sentenced, thomas walker
Comments
Comment from smoketoomuch
Time August 5, 2011 at 10:42 am
Some “Legend”. I hope he’s proud of himself and his inhumane actions throughout the course of his adult LIFETIME (!!!). Some people truly do sit on their brains. Prison is the perfect place for him. It’s just too bad that the “authorities” KILLED the dogs they confiscated instead of trying to rehabilitate them. Oh well, I guess they’re just another “commodity” in North Carolina. Sad.
Comment from EmilyS
Time August 5, 2011 at 3:42 pm
they killed his dogs. without any evaluation.
they brag about stopping cruelty.
I’m having trouble with that picture.
Who killed more dogs.. the dogfighter or the “savior” of fighting dogs??
Comment from MRS JJ
Time August 5, 2011 at 9:55 pm
I hope he dies in prison. POS
Comment from MRS JJ
Time August 5, 2011 at 9:56 pm
ALSO: why did it take 40 years to bring him to justice? Why this so prevalent in the South?
Comment from Anonymous
Time August 9, 2011 at 6:38 pm
I have personally known Mr. Hargrove for about 50 years. He takes better care of his dogs than most people take care of their children. The most trouble he had was keeping the dogs FROM fighting. The so called pit the dogs were put into was just a 4 foot high plywood 16 foot square and if the dogs did not want to fight they would turn around and just jump out. So if they stayed there it was because that is what they wanted to do. Would you kill all race horses because a horse died from making it race? Would you kill all hunting dogs because it was killed by the animal it was hunting? I don’t think so. Putting an 80 year old in jail whoopie do. These dogs are not as vicious as the humane society would like everyone to beleive. Mr. Hargrove has a picture of his grandaughter sleeping on his bed on the bellie of one of these vicious dogs who is also asleep. At the time of the raid in 2010 the posted movie showed a humane society yound girl carrying one of these killer dogs away. The dog was not muselled or tied, she was not padded or protected in any way. If these dogs are KILLER dogs why was she not afraid?????? I rest my case
Comment from black
Time August 17, 2011 at 12:06 pm
thats my man i remember the great gus.be easy harry see u again
Comment from black
Time August 17, 2011 at 12:09 pm
Im from the O so is Harry. He still rules the pit
Comment from Skywalker
Time September 17, 2011 at 3:42 pm
You guys need to get a grip and get a life! I’m sure that dog fighting has a controlled environment. The PitBull terrier has been apart of American history centuries. What kind of person would wish another human being to die in a cage?? How inhumane is that?? Why do boxers fight, knowing they could die from any punch?? Any sport is dangerous and can be fatal, even cheerleading. When people agree to fight it’s legal. Dogs are the same, if one doesn’t agree to fight that dog walks away. A self righteous idiots couldn’t never understand!! ” To much education makes you a smart dummy!! “
Comment from manuel
Time December 21, 2011 at 6:09 pm
stop hatin.
Comment from Anonymous
Time February 6, 2012 at 8:53 pm
Everyone of you low lifes who defend this Satan needs to have your worthless chicken necksthat’s hanging between your ugly legs chained and electrocuted in a swimming pool of your own feces!
Comment from Dee rock
Time April 8, 2012 at 9:34 pm
Harry u no the deal. U have done just what u have always love to do. Buddy we will be waitong on u. We still got those pups. They look reall good. Hurry home buddy.
Comment from COLIN MAYNARD
Time May 10, 2012 at 1:49 pm
I KNOW hargrove fu 10 year he is goodman i buy my first outlaw dog form him
Comment from me
Time May 29, 2012 at 1:07 pm
I say guy has point life is dangerous we take chances for sport n entertainment u fukn ppl worried bout these dogs would be better served worrying about the pointless loss of life in these bullshit wars we send 18 year old men n women to die in.save a human should be your agenda animals are overpopulated and the dogs in ring have a chance to live unlike those in shelters which will be killed without a chance.I personally would not fight my dog but not gonna down u or wish u would die if u do that is uncivilized behavior
Comment from tj
Time September 22, 2012 at 7:06 am
Dog fighting is kew
Comment from jbar
Time December 16, 2012 at 7:23 pm
harry you are the man.
Comment from Joan Cornett
Time August 4, 2011 at 7:25 pm
Good news. They all should get 5-10 years in prison for the extreme animal cruelty involved in dog fighting. Ideally 10 years for running a dog fighting ring.