10/23/2026
Dog fighting arrests made, dogs seized
VIDALIA— Vidalia Police officers busted up an active dog fight at 606 N. Spruce Street on Thursday at approximately 3:15 p.m.
Officers observed several subjects watching two dogs fight in an area visible to the public. As officers approached the area, approximately six individuals fled on foot through the neighborhood. One subject, Thomas Dotson, 37, of Vidalia, was detained on scene. Dotson was identified as the person living on the property where the dogs were being allowed to fight and the person in possession of several dogs on this property.
The fleeing felons led police officers on a foot chase from N. Spruce Street to the Vidalia City Cemetery on Riverside Drive. Within an hour, officers were able to locate and detain three of them. Those arrestees were identified as Derrick Johnson, 23, Antonio Swanson, 31, and Laquintay Kelly, 36, all of Ferriday.
Officers discovered approximately 18 dogs on the Dotson property, four of which were left in locked vehicles. Another five dogs were found at another property associated with Dotson. At that location, Curtis Randall, 59, and Sidney Smith, 68, both of Vidalia were arrested.
Dotson was charged with 21 counts of cruelty to animals, one count of aggravated cruelty to animals and one count of dog fighting. Johnson and Swanson were each charged with one count of cruelty to animals and dog fighting. Kelly was charged with three counts of cruelty to animals and one count of dog fighting. Randall and Smith were each charged with five counts of cruelty to animals.
“Officers took swift actions on this case, which resulted in these arrests,” said Chief Joey Merrill. “We will not tolerate this type of action in Vidalia.”
Chief Merrill thanks The Louisiana Humane Society, Jeff Dorson of The National Humane Society, Warden Dusty Bickman and Animal Shelter Director Stacey Alleman of Dixon Correctional Institute and our local partners for their assistance.
