November 2002, undercover agents in Creek County, Oklahoma, reportedly discovered a dogfighting pit, its walls covered in blood, on the property of James Fiarris. News media reported that officials seized 30 pit bulls from the property and charged James Fiarris with 53 felony counts of offenses related to his alleged illegal activities, including possessing dogs for the purpose of fighting, facilitating a dogfight, keeping a place for dogfighting, cruelty to animals, possession of a firearm, and possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia.�
Creek County officials recently gave Fiarris guardianship of the dogs and the animals� registration papers. A Tulsa World article published on February 8, 2003, quotes Chief Prosecutor Don Nelson as saying that the state returned the dogs� registration papers to Fiarris so that he could sell them, but only under the condition that none would be sold for fighting.
James Fiarris has reportedly already sold 19 of the dogs and plans on selling nine others soon. Mr. Fiarris reportedly plans to keep a couple of the pit bulls for himself. Case UpdatesOn February 3, 2004, Oklahoma District Judge Donald Thompson sentenced a convicted dogfighter and his wife to a ten-year deferred jail sentence.
James Fiarris, who is in failing health, was also ordered to pay $7500 in fines, serve community service, and was forbidden from owning or harboring any dogs for ten full years.
Fiarris pleaded guilty to felony dogfighting charges in September 2003 following a 2002 raid on his home in which 53 fighting dogs and dog fighting equipment were reportedly seized.
Despite the gravity of the charges and conviction, a pre-sentence report given to Judge Thompson had recommended the deferred sentencing for the Fiarrises because of James Fiarris� ill health. | Source: Creek County Court
Update posted on May 23, 2007 - 5:12PM |
A Kellyville couple pleaded guilty Tuesday to three felony dogfighting charges involving their pit bulls.
James Henry Fiarris, 57, and his wife, Jeanne Fiarris, 56, entered "blind" pleas to charges of possessing a dog for fighting, encouraging a dogfight and keeping a place for dogfighting.
A blind plea means that no agreement has been reached regarding punishment.
Accompanied by his wife, James Fiarris admitted his guilt from his battery-powered wheelchair.
A former truck driver who weighs more than 400 pounds, Fiarris has heart problems and "stroke-level" blood pressure, defense attorney Tim Daniel said.
District Judge Donald Thompson ordered a presentence investigation by the Department of Corrections and set the pair's sentencing for Nov. 24.
Each count carries a prison term of one to 10 years and a fine of as much as $25,000.
Creek County sheriff's deputies arrested the Fiarrises and two other people Nov. 27 after undercover agents found on the couple's property an arena with its walls and floor covered with blood.
The property is about 10 miles north of Kellyville.
Fifty-three pit bulls, about 30 of which belonged to James Fiarris, were found on the property. Fiarris has sold or given away all but three of his pit bulls, defense attorney Jeff Singer said Tuesday.
In connection with the case, Steven King of Broken Arrow pleaded no contest in April to encouraging a dogfight. He received a five-year deferred sentence.
That case could be expunged if King has no criminal conviction within the next five years.
Prosecutors dismissed a dogfighting charge against a fourth defendant, Rodger M. Scott, after they found no evidence that he owned a fighting dog or participated in dogfighting. | Source: The Tulsa World - Sept 24, 2003
Update posted on Nov 27, 2005 - 11:14AM |
Neighborhood MapFor more information about the Interactive Animal Cruelty Maps, see the map notes.
Back to Top References
|
