Early Wednesday morning federal agents arrested 26 people across the Midwest for their alleged involvement in dog fighting rings.
Four of those arrested were from Iowa According to Federal prosecutors, the men and woman traveled to Missouri between February and May this year to sponsor a dog in an animal fighting venture.
The indictment says the defendants were also involved in killing dogs that were injured in these fights: "They destroyed the dogs... by shooting the dogs in the head, then throwing the carcasses into the river or burning them in a barrel."
The four Iowans facing charges include Jill Makstaller, 43, of Perry, Zachary R. Connelly, 32, of Ogden, Kevin P. Tasler, 51 of Jefferson, and Ryan J. Tasler, 42, of Woodward. Ryan Tasler is a science teacher at Madrid High School. The district's superintendent said he couldn't comment on the investigation at this point. The occupations of the other Iowans were not available.
All four people made initial appearances before a judge Wednesday morning. They're scheduled to appear in court in Kansas City, Missouri on July 23rd. Each person could face up to 10 years in prison if they are found guilty.
Four of those arrested were from Iowa According to Federal prosecutors, the men and woman traveled to Missouri between February and May this year to sponsor a dog in an animal fighting venture.
The indictment says the defendants were also involved in killing dogs that were injured in these fights: "They destroyed the dogs... by shooting the dogs in the head, then throwing the carcasses into the river or burning them in a barrel."
The four Iowans facing charges include Jill Makstaller, 43, of Perry, Zachary R. Connelly, 32, of Ogden, Kevin P. Tasler, 51 of Jefferson, and Ryan J. Tasler, 42, of Woodward. Ryan Tasler is a science teacher at Madrid High School. The district's superintendent said he couldn't comment on the investigation at this point. The occupations of the other Iowans were not available.
All four people made initial appearances before a judge Wednesday morning. They're scheduled to appear in court in Kansas City, Missouri on July 23rd. Each person could face up to 10 years in prison if they are found guilty.
