Case Snapshot

Case ID: 3994

Classification: Fighting

Animal: dog (pit-bull)

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Attorneys/Judges

Prosecutor(s):	Ronald Dauterive
Defense(s):	Jason Robideaux
Judge(s):	Kristian Earles

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Breeder of fighting dogs arrested - 64 seized
Youngsville, LA (US)

Incident Date: Friday, Mar 11, 2005
County: Lafayette

Charges: Felony CTA
Disposition: Acquitted
Case Images: 11 files available

Persons of Interest:
» Floyd J. Boudreaux
» Guy Boudreaux

Case Updates: 8 update(s) available

State Police on Friday raided the home of a Broussard man dubbed by the Humane Society as the "don of dog fighting," seizing 64 pit bulls and arresting the man and his son on charges of dogfighting, animal cruelty and drug charges - for steroids allegedly used to inject the dogs.

Floyd J. Boudreaux, 70, whose pit bulls are known worldwide and reportedly sell for thousands of dollars, and his son, Guy Boudreaux, 40, were booked in the Lafayette Parish Correctional Center after an early morning raid at their home on La. 89.

"Today marks the day the 'don of dogfighting' has come down. This man is legendary in the dog fighting world," said John Goodwin, deputy manager for animal fighting issues with the Humane Society's national office. "... This man has been on our radar a long time."

The arrests come after a three-month investigation that initially focused on illegal betting at dog fights, said State Police spokesman Willie Williams.

On Friday morning, animal welfare workers were documenting the animals and placing them into metal cages to be carried to an undisclosed location.

The animals - most found in healthy condition - will probably be euthanized, said Laura Maloney, director of the Louisiana Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. The New Orleans-based nonprofit was helping in the dog removal.

Maloney said the dogs could be too dangerous to place in homes.

"These dogs are bred specifically for aggression," she said.

The dogs were on heavy chains in a large fenced lot next to Broussard's home.

Maloney said investigators also found dog fighting "paraphernalia" in the home, including dogfighting magazines, videos of fights and treadmills she said were used in training to help build strength in the animals.

Floyd Broussard lived in a wood-frame house on the property; his son lived in a trailer behind the house, according to police. The family has lived on the property for more than 25 years, neighbors said.

Williams said the father and son are accused of breeding, raising, training and selling dogs for the purpose of dog fighting, which is illegal in all 50 states.

Shane Vincent, who was raised next door and whose parents still live there, said he used to go to "dog pulls" with Guy Boudreaux -contests of dog strength - and knew that Floyd Boudreaux was "famous" for one of the pit bull bloodlines he developed.

But Vincent was surprised to hear about the arrests.

"I never knew him to fight any dogs," Vincent said.

Byron Girouard lives on Rue D'Or, down the street from the Boudreaux home.

"I've known them since I was 5 years old, and I've never heard them talk about fighting dogs," he said. "... Their daughter is my best friend. It's crazy. I heard they had the FBI in there."

Girouard said that the Boudreaux family is well-known in the area and "treated me like a son. If I needed help with anything, they're the ones I know would help."

A search on the Internet turns up several references to Floyd Boudreaux and his pit bulls, including references to him on the Web site for the American Dog Breeders Association.

According to information from the Humane Society, he is known for the "Eli" bloodline of dogs, considered a top choice for dog fighters.

The lineage dates back more than 50 years and Boudreaux's dogs sometimes fetch more than $10,000, according to the Humane Society.

"This man's dogs are sold internationally," Goodwin said.

An Internet Web site that lists contact information for Floyd and Guy Boudreaux offers "Eli" dogs and states that "owning a Boudreaux dog is like owning a piece of history."

The Web site includes a disclaimer that, "No dogs intended or sold for any illegal purposes."

Floyd and Guy Boudreaux each face 64 counts of animal cruelty, 64 counts of dog fighting and one count of possession of steroids.

Williams said Floyd Boudreaux also faces a firearms charge for a sawed-off shotgun allegedly found in his home.

The father and son could face up to 10 years per count on the dog fighting and cruelty charges.

They were being held in the Lafayette Parish Correctional Center on $101,500 bond each.

Case Updates

References

• The Daily Advertiser - March 12, 2005
• 2theAdvocate.Com - March 12, 2005
• KATC - March 11, 2005
• BizNewOrleans.Com - March 11, 2005
• KPLC - March 11, 2005
• The Daily Advertiser - March 11, 2005

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