Dog-fighting charges added to Corvallis drug bust

CORVALLIS, Ore. – A Corvallis man now is facing 15 felony counts of dogfighting, added to four drug-related felony charges issued this past week.

Authorities busted 32-year-old Cody Hufeld and two others Wednesday on a drug raid of two Corvallis homes. The investigation uncovered 14 pounds of marijuana  and led sheriff's deputies to a property in Alsea, about 25 miles outside of Corvallis. There, detectives tells us they discovered 15 malnourished pit bulls.

At the time of the bust, Corvallis police said it was unknown if dog fighting had occurred at this location in Benton County, and seized evidence that could have been consistent only with training and breeding the dogs.

The 15 dogs were seized by police. They are being treated, as needed, at the Heartland Humane Society in Corvallis.

Detectives now allege Hufeld was indeed using those animals as part of a dog-fighting ring. Victoria McKenna, 29, and Charles Newquest, 28, also were arrested in Wednesday's bust. All three are charged with criminal conspiracy to commit unlawful delivery of a "substantial quantity" of marijuana "for consideration" (a Class B felony), among other charges.

KATU has the only video from the scene immediately after the first arrests were made.

One of the dogs seized in this police action: