An Opelousas teen has been arrested on Dogfighting charges.

Deputies arrested Willie Joseph Jr on Monday.  A tip was received that Willie Joseph Jr. was making his two pit-bulls fight in his back yard.  The witness was able to video the dogs fighting while Joseph watch and instigated the fight.  

Deputies arrived and were able to make contact with Joseph and advised him of his Miranda warning.  During questioning, Joseph responded that he was trying to make the dogs play, not fight. Deputies located one of the pit-bulls still in the cage on the video.  The dog had blood and cuts on both ears. The other pit-bull was inside of the residence and had cuts and blood on the front of its face. The dogs would not allow deputies to get any closer to them without becoming aggressive.  Animal control took possession of the dogs. 

Joseph was arrested and taken to the parish jail. Sheriff Bobby Guidroz stated, “I would like to thank the person who brought this to our attention and provided us with the video evidence.  Working with the witness and the St. Landry Parish Animal Shelter, Joseph was arrested and the dogs were taken out of that environment.”