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All information available through C.D.T is public information All persons are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. For more detailed information of cases please visit www.pet-abuse.com  Dog Fighting Probe widens,  Gary Indiana                                    Raid on house leads to alleged Dog fighting Dunn Wis June 14, 2006 UPDATES FOR 6-27-06 BELOW: An investigation into whether a Gary firefighter conducted dogfights at his Calumet Township home has spurred a wider, grand jury probe into animal fighting for profit throughout Lake County, Prosecutor Bernard Carter said Tuesday. Carlton Davis Jr., of 3721 W. 48th Place, was charged with seven felony counts of staging animal fights, 15 counts of animal cruelty and one count of owning animal fighting paraphernalia. The seven-year fire department veteran surrendered to police Tuesday several hours after the charges were announced. Davis remained jailed Tuesday night. Bond was set at $145,000 His attorney said Davis is innocent. "They have no evidence of dog fighting because there was none," attorney Garry Weiss said. ""We would like people to keep an open mind until the evidence is presented, because what's being portrayed to the media is incorrect." "There will be a grand jury convened by us next month to investigate other individuals pertaining to the same conduct that (Davis) has been charged with," Carter said at a new conference. Carter said nothing had been presented to him suggesting that any of Davis' colleagues at the Gary Fire Department were involved in similar gaming. However, Carter said he suspected the investigation would uncover many people involved in animal fighting, considering neighbors' testimony of 15 to 20 cars present at Davis' house in May for what they suspected was a dogfight. "It's a misdemeanor to be present at a dogfight," Carter said. Acting on complaints from neighbors, police searched Davis' property May 29. Officers reported finding 16 emaciated dogs and one dog carcass, dog fighting paraphernalia and a six-week workout schedule that led up to "game day." One building on Davis' property had a wooden treadmill for the dogs to run on and devices they could be strapped into to breed or to antagonize them, police said. The second structure appeared to be where the dogs battled, with wooden cages, a fighting ring and lawn chairs for spectators. One of the officers investigating the case, Detective Michelle Weaver, said she received an anonymous tip that there would be a break-in at the animal control facility in Crown Point, reportedly to free the dogs taken from Davis' property. After someone did attempt to break in during the weekend, animal control and the police officials are looking into safe houses for the dogs. Police Commander Cathy Hrebenyak said the dogs would be placed in animal care facilities, not private residences. The Humane Society of the United States and Lake County police are offering a $4,500 reward for testimony concerning staged dogfights in the area. For information, call Weaver at (219) 755-3355. Source:http://nwitimes.com UPDATE : June 15 2006 GARY — Firefighter Carlton Davis Jr., charged with running a pit bull fighting operation out of his Calumet Township home, will remain on the job, city officials said. Davis remained in Lake County Jail on Wednesday, unable to pay his $145,000 bond on a 26-count indictment. But if he is released, he will be able to continue working for the Fire Department unless he pleads guilty or is convicted of the charges, said department attorney Shana Levinson. “If he continues to show up for work and continues to serve the people of Gary, he will stay active until this matter is resolved,” Levinson said. Chief Robert Walker’s only options are to file a complaint with the Fire Civil Service Commission, a citizens panel that handles personnel and discipline matters for the department, or to place Davis on paid administrative leave. “The chief’s thinking is that he would rather (Davis) work for his pay while this is going on,” Levinson said. In a statement, Walker said none of the alleged acts were performed within the scope of Davis’ employment with the Fire Department and that it would be improper for the city to presume he is guilty. Davis is scheduled for a hearing Friday, and his attorney has petitioned the court to have his bond reduced. Levinson did not know if Davis had been scheduled to work since he was arrested and jailed Tuesday. Mayor Rudy Clay said Wednesday that his office had been flooded with calls and e-mail from animal rights activists “and all of them have been against (Davis).” “I have been amazed at the response from people,” he said, adding that he was “appalled” by prosecutors’ allegations. “But we have to go by the law, and the law says this man is innocent until proven guilty.” Prosecutors charged Davis with nine felony counts of promoting or staging an animal fighting contest and multiple misdemeanors counts for cruelty to animals and owning fighting paraphernalia. Lake County Sheriff’s police raided Davis home in Calumet Township after neighbors complained about the smell from a rotting dog carcass and said Davis appeared to have left his dogs without food or water. Investigators found 16 dogs on the property, including one “liquefying” carcass. Investigators also found bloodstained parts of what they believe is a fighting ring, treadmills and other training equipment, as well as workout schedules that were written on the back of blank Gary Fire Department report forms. Davis’ lawyer said the equipment is commonly owned by dog breeders. Source:http://www.post-trib.com UPDATE: June 27-2006 Under the supervision of investigators and an animal handler, Gary firefighter Carlton Davis Jr. went to the Lake County Animal Control Shelter on Monday to play with pit bulls. The 16 dogs had been seized from Davis’ home by the Lake County police in May when Davis, 33, was charged with 26 felony counts of promoting or staging an animal fighting contest and buying or possessing an animal for a fighting contest. Animal control workers said the dogs were malnourished and had been abused. Inside Davis’ home on the 3700 block of West 48th Place in Calumet Township, a bloody rug, a treadmill and a breeder’s stand were found. Attorney Garry Weiss said Davis never abused the dogs, and he said Davis went to the shelter Monday to have an expert observe his behavior with the animals. If the case goes to trial, Weiss said, the expert may testify on Davis’ behalf to demonstrate that Davis is nothing but loving to his pets. Davis played with each of his dogs individually, and stayed at the shelter for about two hours, Weiss said. He declined to describe Davis’ behavior with the pets. The shelter’s employees are not allowed to speak with the media about the pit bulls or about Davis, but Weiss said the dogs may not stay at the shelter for long. He said they may be ready soon to go into foster care. Contact Danielle Braff Source:at 648-3079 or dbraff|@post-trib.com|dbraff|@post-trib.com| dbraff|@post-trib.com|dbraff|@post-trib.com                                   June 15, 2006-Suspect Is Former Dane County Sherriff's Deputy TOWN OF DUNN, Wis. -- The Dane County Humane Society is caring for nearly 50 injured pit bulls after investigators said that they uncovered an apparent dog-fighting ring west of Lake Waubesa.State agents went to the house in the Town of Dunn on an unrelated warrant, found the dogs and contacted the Humane Society on Wednesday. Approximately 52 pit bulls were found there and were then taken to the Humane Society, WISC-TV reported. The state Justice Department agents arrested two people at the home. The state Department of Criminal Investigation, part of the Wisconsin Department of Justice, was leading the raid, WISC-TV reported. One of those arrested -- Robert Lowery -- owned the home that was raided. The residence is located in the 3500 block of Lake Farm Road. Lowery is a former Dane County Sherriff's deputy. Although Humane Society officials said that they suspect the animals were involved with dog fighting, state authorities aren't confirming this, WISC-TV reported. However, Lowery has had previous run-ins with the law and pit bulls had been seized from his property before. He was a sheriff's deputy in the early 1980s, but was fired for misuse of a government telephone, WISC-TV reported. Later, he was arrested for possessing and delivering cocaine in August 1982. During that investigation, narcotics teams raided Lowery's farm in September 1982 and discovered 30 pit bulls that were used in illegal dogfights. "The drugs led to a search warrant of his house, which then, as we showed up there were pit bulls everywhere," said Richard Raemisch, a former narcotics detective for the Dane County Sheriff's Department. Raemisch said that he and other detectives were sneaking up on the farmhouse and trying not to make a sound. All the dogs were inside the property. "Some of the dogs had bite marks on them. There was a pit found in the garage that would be used for fighting," he said. Photographs of dogs fighting and underground magazines were also found on the property, authorities said. "It becomes a secret society. They have ways of contacting each other, and now with the Internet, I'd assume it's easier now than 25 years ago," he said. Lowery was found guilty of two counts of felony animal fighting, becoming the first person in state history to be convicted of the crime. Influx Of Animals Stretches Human Society's Capacity The arrival of the 52 dogs presents problems for Humane Society officials because the animals won't be going home to anyone. Sean McBride, the director of development and communication for the Humane Society, said that some of the dogs have extensive injuries. He said that some have torn ears, cuts and bruises. In one case, part of a dog's leg was apparently bitten off. McBride said that one dog was blinded by eye injuries and another's broken leg hadn't healed properly. Humane Society officials said that if the dogs were involved in fighting, it would be unlikely that the dogs would be adopted, WISC-TV reported. An additional complication is that dogs are potential evidence and the Humane Society must hold them for as long as the investigation takes place, WISC-TV reported. McBride said that the influx of dogs needing special attention is stretching the Humane Society beyond its means. Besides the pit bulls, the shelter is housing five other dogs, 26 chickens, two parakeets and a macaw confiscated at the property. To alleviate the shortage of space, the Humane Society is waiving its adoption fees Source:http://www.channel3000.com Couple Charged In Connection With Major Drug Operation 47 Pit Bulls Seized During Raid POSTED: 5:43 pm CDT June 15, 2006 UPDATED: 10:33 pm CDT June 15, 2006 MADISON, Wis. -- A former Dane County sheriff's deputy accused of breeding pit bulls for dog fighting was arraigned in federal court Thursday on charges of distributing marijuana. VIDEO: Watch The Report | VIDEO: Crowds Gather To Adopt Dogs Robert Lowery is accused of running a major drug running operation between Wisconsin and Arizona. Department of Justice officials said 700 grams of cocaine, worth an estimated $70,000, were found in the home, along with 15 pounds of marijuana, which authorities said is worth an estimated $30,000. Officers also found five guns at the home, WISC-TV reported. Lowery's girlfriend, Julie Ann Dzikowich, was charged with dealing cocaine, WISC-TV reported. Officials at the Dane County Humane Society said the couple is also likely to face charges of animal cruelty for allegedly breeding pit bulls to fight and kill. Several dogs seized in the raid had been maimed and injured, and it's feared that most, if not all, will have to be destroyed, WISC-TV reported. Authorities said the pit-bull ring came as a complete surprise to state drug agents as they raided the home.                                                                                             Police arrest ex-deputy find 52 dogs Dunn Wisc                                 Couple arrested in connection with Drug Operation Wis June 15, 2006- MADISON, Wis. -- June 16 Updates follow this story: Authorities raided the home of a former Dane County sheriff's deputy on Wednesday morning, arresting him and taking more than 50 pit bulls on his property to the Dane County Humane Society.Investigators descended on Robert Lowery's house, located in the 3500 block of Lake Farm Road in Madison, at about 10 a.m. The state Department of Criminal Investigation, part of the Wisconsin Department of Justice, was leading the raid. Approximately 52 pit bulls were found there and were then taken to the Humane Society. The state Attorney General's Office, which handles charges in cases like this, wouldn't comment on the investigation Wednesday.Charles Giesen, Lowery's attorney, said that the dogs were taken in for safekeeping and his client's charges aren't related to the dogs. The Attorney General's Office is expected on Thursday to release why Lowery was arrested, WISC-TV reported. Lowery was previously arrested and convicted on drug and dog-fighting charges in 1983. Those dogs were also taken to the Humane Society, WISC-TV reported. In September 1982, after having picked up Lowery for possessing and delivery of cocaine, narcotics detectives went to his house, where they found 30 pit bulls. "Some of the dogs had bite marks on them. There was a pit found in the garage that would be used for fighting. We found photographs of dogs fighting in the residence and also underground dog fighting magazines," said Richard Raemisch, who was a narcotics detective for the Dane County Sheriff's Department at the time. Raemisch said for those involved, dog fighting becomes a secret society. "They have ways of contacting each other, and now with the Internet, I'd assume it's easier now than 25 years ago," he says. Lowery was found guilty of two counts of felony animal fighting, becoming the first person in state history to be convicted of the crime.New Dogs Presents Problems For Humane Society This influx of dogs presents problems for Humane Society officials, largely because the animals won't be going home to anyone. Humane Society officials said that they suspect the animals were involved with dog-fighting, although state authorities are not confirming this, WISC-TV reported. For most of the day on Wednesday, pit bulls from Lowery's property were brought in to the Humane Society's facility with evidence of traumatic injury, according to officials. "We're seeing linear scars. We're seeing several dogs who have old, unresolved fractures," said Sandra Newbury, the society's chief veterinarian. "We're seeing several dogs who are missing limbs." Officials said that if the dogs were involved in fighting and given the violent training they might have endured, it's unlikely the pit bulls will be introduced back into society, WISC-TV reported. Because of this, Humane Society officials said that they hope their adoptable dogs can find a home as soon as possible to make room. Currently, officials said that there's barely enough room for all the dogs and it's going to be tight. Sean McBride, the director of development and communication for the Humane Society, said that this is a critical time for the group. "What we would hope is to send out a plea to everyone: If you're even considering adopting dog, now's the time to do it," he said.Further complicating the problem is the fact that the pit bulls are evidence and the society must hold them for as long as the investigation takes place, WISC-TV reported. Stay tuned to WISC-TV and Channel 3000 for continuing coverage. UPDATES FROM THE WISCONSIN STATE JOURNAL:FRI., JUN 16, 2006 - 1:34 AM Pit bull settles calmly into new digs BARRY ADAMS badams@madison.com The dog's tail wagged as it approached the kennel door to take a treat. The tan pit bull, No. 65768, according to the tag above the kennel in the Animal Medical Services wing of the Dane County Humane Society, didn't bark, growl or nip at the strangers who came Thursday to see its deformed front right leg, a sign that officials said suggested the dog was used for fighting. No. 65768, one of 50 pit bulls taken from a town of Dunn home Wednesday, appeared to almost smile. It wore a thick, brown leather collar, nibbled at food in a stainless steel dish and appeared relaxed while curling up on the white blanket that separated the dog from the concrete floor. The dog's owner was also behind bars Thursday, but it's unlikely anyone fed him tasty treats through the steel bars at the Milwaukee County Jail.Robert Lowery, 57, was charged Wednesday with federal drug offenses, and officials with the Dane County Humane Society said Thursday they would ask the Dane County district attorney's office to file animal cruelty charges against Lowery. Humane Society officials said they found treadmills used to train dogs, a cat used to entice the dogs to run faster on the treadmills and injuries to the dogs consistent with dog fighting. The dogs, most of whom had been chained outside to small wooden shelters, and the other evidence were found during a drug investigation conducted by the state Division of Criminal Investigation. Lowery's wife, Julie Ann Dzikowich, 48, was also arrested Wednesday. She has been charged with possession of a weapon by a convicted felon and possession of cocaine with intent to deliver. She remained Thursday in the Dane County Jail. In 1983, Lowery, a former Dane County Sheriff's Office deputy, was sentenced to six months in jail on dog-fighting and drug charges. "We've speculated that it was still occurring but he was not willing to cooperate," said Cheri Carr, the Humane Society's director of field operations. "We've never had the access to gain the evidence." Carr said she has spoken with the Humane Society of the United States, which has promised to provide an expert witness on dog fighting. The case also brought dozens of people Thursday to the Humane Society, which dropped its adoption fee in order to encourage more adoptions to make room for the pit bulls. When the shelter opened at noon, an estimated 40 people were in line. By Thursday night, all of the 23 available dogs had been adopted. Another 20 dogs will be ready for adoption by Tuesday. Four pit bulls at the Humane Society before Wednesday's raid were turned over to people who specialize in placing pit bulls, Humane Society spokesman Sean McBryde said, after several people called Thursday asking to adopt fighting dogs. The seized pit bulls are not up for adoption and are being held as evidence. It was not clear Thursday what would happen to the pit bulls after the investigation is completed. "It's hard to imagine that someone would do that to an innocent dog," said Peggy Kluge, of Monona, who brought her two daughters to the Humane Society to look at dogs. "It's a sad story." Besides the pit bulls, officials also took from Lowery's property a German shepherd, a cairn terrier, two parakeets, a macaw, two goldfish and 26 chickens. The cat that was allegedly used in the training showed no signs of physical abuse. "He's shockingly calm," said McBryde. "He either needs lots of therapy or is the most self confident cat on the planet." James Jacobson, 17, of McFarland, showed up to inquire about one of the parakeets but was told they weren't available. "I love birds so much," Jacobson said. "We wanted to take a look at it and give it a good home." Lowery's home, at 3554 Lake Farm Road, is about three miles south of the Beltline and just west of Lake Waubesa. The property has 8-foot tall wood fencing and a chain link fence gate covered with a gray tarp obstructing views from the road. But the south side of the property lacks a tall fence and is only partially obstructed by trees, offering clear views of the area where the dogs were kept. The sounds of barking dogs are no longer audible from the offices of Custom Metals, located near Lowery's property. "It's eerie. It's like something unnatural," said Kate Garden, 34. "All you hear now are the birds." Those who worked Thursday on restoring the prairies near Lowery's property said they did not see evidence of dog fights but didn't like working near Lowery's fence line because of the dogs and their barking. But a woman familiar with Lowery and the dogs said Lowery and his wife were only raising the dogs for breeding, not for fighting. Pat Harper, 53, of Sauk City, said her son had worked for Lowery's company, J & B Lawn Service, and that she had visited the property and saw no evidence of dog fights. She said one dog was attacked by its mother, another dog was injured by a lawn mower and another was blind from birth. "Those people loved those animals," Harper said. "They weren't abused." Lowery's attorney, Charles Giesen, said Lowery was not using the dogs for fights and that he regularly showed dogs and has ribbons to show for it. He said Lowery was also providing shelter for some of the dogs so that they could be adopted. Giesen said any allegations of fighting made by the Humane Society are based on "unfounded conclusions." While Lowery has a past conviction for organizing pit bull fights, "that was a quarter- century ago," Giesen said. "That's certainly not any evidence. He knew that he was under scrutiny." SOURCE:http://www.madison.com                                   June 15, 2006-Animal hospital records seized in pit bull case Investigators seized numerous records from the Spring Harbor Animal Hospital on Tuesday as they continued their investigation into their suspicions that Robert Lowery, who is charged with being a major marijuana and cocaine dealer, is involved in training pit bull dogs for fighting. Dr. Morris Link, who runs the Spring Harbor facility and has been Lowery's veterinarian for years, said he would be astonished if those allegations are true. "I would almost bet my bottom dollar that he wasn't doing any fighting," Link said Friday. In 20 years of treating dogs for Lowery, Link added, "I've never seen anything to indicate in any way anything to do with fighting dogs." Link said a slew of investigators from the FBI, the Drug Enforcement Administration and state, county and local police forces searched his offices on Tuesday. "I don't know why the big influx," he said Friday. "They could have got all the information they wanted just by asking." Agents of the state Justice Department's Criminal Investigation Division obtained a search warrant for the records of treatment and drugs prescribed for Lowery's pit bulls after they seized 52 dogs, including 50 pit bulls, during a drug raid on June 14 at Lowery's farm at 3554 Lake Farm Road in the town of Dunn. At the time of the drug raid, investigators seized large amounts of both marijuana and cocaine, as well as cash, but also found numerous items associated with training pit bulls for fighting. It is illegal to conduct such fights in Wisconsin, to train dogs for fights or to make money from them. Dr. Sandra Newbury, the veterinarian and animal medical services manager for the Dane County Humane Society, is quoted in the application for a search warrant for Spring Harbor as saying 10 of the pit bulls taken from Lowery's farm had wounds or scars consistent with dog fighting. Link said today that he had seen "a number of dogs that looked like they had fought at some time, but they were healed," and had probably been bought by Lowery after they had been in fights. "It certainly wasn't proof he was fighting dogs," Link said. He also said that within the year he had amputated a portion of a leg of a dog that got its foot in a lawnmower. One of the dogs seized in the drug raid had a portion of a leg missing. The search warrant application for Spring Harbor also said that during the drug raid at Lowery's farm, investigators found medications that Newbury says "are consistent with medications used to condition pit bulls for fighting and to treat pit bulls wounded in dog fighting incidences." The search warrant application also says that when investigators conducted the drug raid at Lowery's, they found numerous items associated with training dogs for fights, including a treadmill commonly used to condition fighting dogs and a cat mill, which is also used to train dogs for fighting. "This is done by attaching a cat or small animal to the mill," the search warrant complaint says, "attaching the dog to the mill, and allowing the dog to chase the small animal around in a circle for conditioning." The cat mill at the Lowery farm had a stuffed teddy bear attached to where the bait animal would be, the search warrant says. Also seized in the Lowery raid were plastic and wooden "break sticks" with bite marks - used to pry apart the jaws of dogs engaged in fights - and large quantities of medical supplies that could be used to treat injured dogs. In the Spring Harbor Animal Hospital search, investigators took patient history reports, medical charts and drug dispensing logs for Lowery's dogs. Lowery, who served as a Dane County sheriff's deputy for two years until being fired, was convicted of cocaine distribution in 1990. ***************************************** MADISON, Wis. -- A former Dane County sheriff's deputy accused of breeding pit bulls for dog fighting was arraigned in federal court Thursday on charges of distributing marijuana. Robert Lowery is accused of running a major drug running operation between Wisconsin and Arizona. Department of Justice officials said 700 grams of cocaine, worth an estimated $70,000, were found in the home, along with 15 pounds of marijuana, which authorities said is worth an estimated $30,000. Officers also found five guns at the home, WISC-TV reported. Lowery's girlfriend, Julie Ann Dzikowich, was charged with dealing cocaine, WISC-TV reported. Officials at the Dane County Humane Society said the couple is also likely to face charges of animal cruelty for allegedly breeding pit bulls to fight and kill. Several dogs seized in the raid had been maimed and injured, and it's feared that most, if not all, will have to be destroyed, WISC-TV reported. Authorities said the pit-bull ring came as a complete surprise to state drug agents as they raided the home.                   Dog Fighting not tolerated in South Florida                                                Putnam's Plead Guilty To Dog Fighting Charges TN                               Jun 16, 2006 (Updates at Bottom) POMPANO BEACH Broward Sheriff’s Office police on routine patrol in Pompano Beach last Sunday were unpleasantly surprised when they found a group of men cheering during a planned fight between two dogs. On Sunday, June 11th shortly before 8 p.m., the BSO deputy was on routine patrol and conducted an area check of Charles Drew Elementary School when he spotted several people gathered in a circle at 951 Northwest 27th Avenue in Pompano Beach. The deputy took a closer look and observed two Pit Bulls fighting and no one in the crowd trying to pull them apart. Several of the group was able to escape police, but Brandon McNair and Tommy Neloms were not so lucky. According to police, a juvenile on-looker was able to identify the McNair and Neloms as being responsible for coordinating the fight. Thursday, a BSO Abuse and Neglect detective arrested McNair near his home 2700 Northwest 9th Court on one count each of Fighting/Baiting Animals and Cruelty to Animals. Neloms will face the same charges but was already in jail, arrested on Tuesday on unrelated drug charges. McNair and Neloms denied being involved in the dog fight. Both dogs are in the care of the Coral Springs Animal Hospital. http://cbs4.com UPDATED June 16-2006Men Accused Of Running Pit Bull Fight Dogs Being Treated At Animal Hospital POSTED: 3:37 pm EDT June 16, 2006 UPDATED: 5:36 pm EDT June 16, 2006 BROWARD COUNTY, Fla. -- Two men have been charged with setting up a pit bull fight. A BSO deputy said he was on routine patrol near Charles Drew Elementary School on Sunday when he saw a crowd of people gathered in a circle. He said that when he got closer, he realized the crowd was watching a pit bull fight, and no one was making an effort to stop it. The deputy said the spectators took off when they spotted him, but he was able to speak to a juvenile at the scene who gave him the names of the two men he said were responsible for arranging the fight. On Thursday, police arrested Brandon McNair near his home. They said the other man, Tommy Neloms, was already in jail. He was arrested Tuesday on unrelated drug charges. McNair and Neloms are charged with fighting/baiting animals and cruelty to animals. They have both denied being involved with the dogfight. The dogs are being cared for at the Coral Springs Animal Hospital. Source: http://www.local10.com Updates: June 17-2006 2 Pompano men charged with fighting pit bull dogs sun-sentinel.com Posted June 16 2006, 3:15 PM EDT POMPANO BEACH – Two men faced felony counts on Friday after they were charged with fighting pit bull dogs. Here's what Veda Coleman-Wright, spokeswoman for the Broward Sheriff's Office, said happened around 8 p.m. on June 11th, a Sunday, while a deputy was conducting an area check around Charles Drew Elementary School. As the deputy pulled onto the 900 block of Northwest 27 Avenue, he said he spotted several people gathered in a circle and two pit bulls fighting in the center. No one in the crowd rtried to stop the fight and when the deputy was spotted they quickly dispersed. A juvenile eventually identified two men who were responsible for fighting the dogs. On Thursday, a BSO Abuse and Neglect detective arrested Brandon McNair near his home on Northwest Ninth Court on one count each of fighting/baiting animals and cruelty to animals. The other suspect, Tommy Neloms, faces the same charges. He was already in jail, arrested on June 13 on unrelated drug charges. Both McNair and Neloms denied being involved in the dog fight. Both dogs are now in the care of the Coral Springs Animal Hospital. Source: http://www.sun-sentinel.com                                  June 20, 2006 Israela Katz and John David Putnam entered guilty pleas on Tuesday to felony charges of animal fighting. It was the first felony conviction for animal fighting in Hamilton County, according to Guy Bilyeu, executive director of the Humane Educational Society. They received one-year suspended sentences, and they cannot have any animals. The pair appeared before Criminal Court Judge Don Poole. Mr. Bilyeu said Humane Educational Society Animal Control Officer Dale Olsen on Sept. 20, 2004, began an investigation of dog fighting at the Putnam residence in Soddy-Daisy. He said on Sept. 22, 2004, Officer Olsen and Det. Michael Sneed of the Soddy-Daisy Police Department sent an individual in with a wire to purchase a pit bull from Mrs. Putnam. During the purchase Putnam allowed two of the dogs to fight to prove that the animals were “game” (a term used to show how well dogs perform when fighting), it was stated. During the fight Putnam repeatedly encouraged the dogs to fight and finally had to break up the fight before one of the dogs was killed, Mr. Bilyeu said. Officer Olsen and Det. Sneed heard the entire conversation and recorded the incident on tape. Shortly thereafter, Officer Olsen and Det. Sneed arrived at the scene and witnessed the two injured pit bulls. Officer Olsen charged Ms. Putnam and her husband with cruelty to animals and dog fighting. Mr. Bilyeu said, "Officers found a treadmill, a spring pole, a break stick, dog fighting publications and other devices used to train dogs for this cruel sport." In all, 22 pit bulls were taken to the HES and kept under strict observation. Mr. Bilyeu said, "Many of the animals had numerous injuries from previous fights. Even the younger pit bulls had scars and wounds. All of the animals had to be kept separated as they had been trained to kill other animals. “It is totally unacceptable for anyone to have enjoyment or gain profit from fighting animals. These dogs were bred for one purpose and, while they were at our shelter, they were very aggressive towards other dogs. The first day they arrived at our shelter, one pit bull got out of her cage and immediately attacked a small German Shepherd that was being walked. The pit bull grabbed the German Shepherd by the throat and, when I jumped in to pull her off of the German Shepherd, she proceeded to lick me. "Unfortunately, they have been taught that they will be rewarded for being aggressive towards other animals. "Numerous law enforcement raids have unearthed many disturbing facets of this illegal 'sport.' Young children are sometimes present at the events, which promote insensitivity to animal suffering, enthusiasm for violence, and a lack of respect for the law. Illegal gambling is the norm at dogfights. Dog owners and spectators wager thousands of dollars on their favorites. Firearms and other weapons have been found at dogfights because of the large amounts of cash present. Animals are often stolen to use as bait for fighting dogs. And dog fighting has been connected to other kinds of violence — even homicide, according to newspaper reports. In addition, illegal drugs are often sold and used at dogfights. “I know there are others who fight dogs in the city of Chattanooga and Hamilton County as we are constantly receiving animals that have scars and wounds from fighting. I hope this will send a clear message to others that fight animals in our county that this barbaric sport is unacceptable, is a serious threat to the safety of our community and we will prosecute anyone we find involved with animal fighting.” Source:http://www.chattanoogan.com Man killed for refusing to fight his dog Chicago IL                                                     Man Accused of Training Dogs to fight Lanc. PA June 27-06 Cops: Man Killed for refusing to Fight Dog. A man who refused to fight his pit bull against another dog was gunned down in his South Side front yard Sunday as his wife watched, police and relatives said. Julius Birdine, 26, came to his front fence in the 7800 block of South Ada Sunday evening to see what was making his pit bull bark so loudly, according to witnesses' accounts to police. There, two men, who also had a pit bull, asked Birdine to allow the dogs to fight. He refused, and one man shot him, police said. "These other two said, 'My dog can beat your dog up,' '' a source said. "The long and the short of it is when he refuses to let his dog engage in any kind of fight, they shoot him.'' Detectives were still searching for a "person of interest,'' the source said. They do not believe Birdine and the men had any kind of history of conflict, although Birdine's mother said the men had approached Birdine in the past about the fighting. Men came to front yard Joyce Hunter, Birdine's mother, said she was stunned to hear her son had been shot. "To kill a person in cold blood like that. . . . It didn't escalate beyond the dogs. That's what it was all about,'' Hunter, 43, said. Hunter said her son's wife was standing in the yard with him when the argument started, but he told her to go into the house. Birdine's daughter, 8, was sleeping inside when he was shot. Birdine, who also has a son, graduated from Robeson High School in 1998, and had worked at Gingiss Formalwear. Last year, he was arrested for drug possession but had pledged to his mother to put that life behind him, she said. "I would describe him as fair. And he was a family man, and he loved his wife,'' Hunter said. Hunter said Birdine's wife had contacted the city to have the dog removed. "We hear this every day that somebody [who's innocent] has been shot down by violence,'' she said. "But it's hit home.'' Source Sun Times asweeney@suntimes.com                                   Jun 30, 2006 7:47 AM EST City man accused of training dogs to fight/Charged with 2 counts of cruelty to animals/LANCASTER COUNTY, PA - An animal welfare officer has accused a 35-year-old man of using his Lancaster city home as a training ground for teaching dogs and roosters how to fight. Keith Mohler, an officer for Farm Sanctuary of Pennsylvania, on Thursday charged Ivan Ruiz Rivera, 35, of 535 S. Lime St., with two felony counts of cruelty to animals. According to an affidavit, Mohler was alerted to the possibility of animals being abused at the residence on May 27 when a Lancaster city police officer who was trying to serve an arrest warrant on Rivera noticed "a large treadmill-type apparatus commonly used in the training of dogs for fighting." Mohler visited the home that same day and found a treadmill that appeared to be covered with bloody paw prints. "It was of the type that my experience and training have shown me to be commonly used in the training of dogs for fighting," Mohler wrote in the affidavit. "I also observed in the basement a white plastic stick approximately 9 by 3 inches and tapered to a point, appearing to be scarred and stained with blood." Mohler also said he spotted a "breaking stick," a tool commonly used to train pit bulls to fight. On May 29, Mohler executed a search warrant on the residence and seized a number of items, including animal fighting paraphernalia, training records, publications promoting animal fighting, videotapes, photographs and injectible steroids. If convicted, Rivera faces a maximum sentence of 14 years in prison and a $15,000 fine. Assistant District Attorney Christine Wilson is prosecuting the case. Source:http://local.lancasteronline.com   4 Arrested in Dog Fighting Invest Boston. MA                                                          Dog Fighting ring busted,21 dogs found. Arkansas July 4,2006 LAWRENCE, Mass. --Police investigating a house suspected of being used as a dogfighting training ground arrested four Lawrence residents after a scuffle there with teens who attacked them, police said.Alicia Lugo, 43, Jonathan Delarosa, 17, Joshua Pena, 17, and a 16-year-old juvenile male were arrested Monday on charges including promoting animal fighting, animal cruelty and assault and battery. Police chief John Romero said police investigated after neighbors told police that pit bulls were frequently picked up and dropped off at the house, and one neighbor found a pit bull skull in the yard last month. "The thought was they may be training the pit bulls for fighting," Romero told The Eagle-Tribune of Lawrence. "With these pit bulls coming and going, something's going on, and we need to get to the bottom of it," he said. Lugo and her two sons, Delarosa and the juvenile, arrived at the house shortly after police arrived, but quickly walked toward a rear door when police began questioning them. Officer Carmen Purpora tried to reach into the house to grab Delarosa, but someone slammed the glass door on him, cutting his hand and forearm, police said. Purpora later needed six stitches. Police said they were forced to use pepper spray to subdue Lugo and Delarosa after Delarosa swung at the officers and Lugo kicked, screamed and spit at them. Police said Pena was also screaming and grabbing at them and that the juvenile threatened to kill an officer. Police took custody of two pit bulls who were tied to the front door. The Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals could help police get a warrant to search the home, and police have asked for their assistance, Romero said. The three suspects are scheduled for arraignment Wednesday in Lawrence District Court. The juvenile is scheduled to be arraigned Wednesday in Lawrence Juvenile Court. Source:http://www.boston.com/news                                   July 4-2006 Updated 7/14/2006 /(bottom)Pit Bull Fighting Ring Busted /One by one, chained up dogs, 21 in total, are given much needed water. ”Come on, get you some water. You’re okay," Kay Jordan of the Pulaski County Humane Society talks to the dogs as she fills empty water dishes. She says it's clear the dogs, many of them pit bulls, were trained to fight. "They're kept just far enough apart on big heavy chains that they can't get loose and fight each other." The further back they walk, the more gruesome it becomes. Humane Society workers find a jaw bone, a dog cemetery and one pit bull left dead. His body’s bloated from the summer heat. Hidden in the woods, authorities discover a fight ring. A wooden dagger is still lying there. It was used to make the dogs fighting mad. "It's very frustrating because this is torture for these animals," says Jordan Three younger dogs are locked in a cage. They are most likely bait dogs that would have eventually been used to teach the pit bulls how to kill. Jordan says, “Of course the dog has no defense because it's a small dog against a pit bull. They are torn to pieces." Jaxie Heppner’s with the Beebe Humane Society and says charging the dogs' owner with 22 counts of animal cruelty isn't enough. She wants this crime to be a felony. "There needs to be laws to prosecute these people to the fullest because these dogs are just as much a victim as anyone else," she says. Away from the ring, the dogs are good natured. "These dogs are sweet,” says Heppner. “They're all good dogs. It's not the dog, it's the people." But the way they were trained to fight may make them unadoptable. Jordan says, “Pit bulls are excellent pets, but sometimes when they're fighters, there's no choice but for the organization to euthanize." Jordan says she'll try to find the dogs a home at a pit bull rescue facility out of the state. We talked to a neighbor who says he did feed and water the dogs. But he says the owner moved and took seven of the best fighters with him. Source:http://www.todaysthv.com July 14/2006 UPDATE: Donald Jolly was arrested Friday morning. Jolly, 41, of White County is charged with 23 counts of animal cruelty. He is accused of using 21 pit bulls in a fighting ring, but there are no witnesses. However, humane society workers on the case say what Jolly is being charged with is not enough. "It's a slap on the wrist. It's a thousand dollar fine, year in jail per count, but it can be lumped together and be one fine of a thousand dollars,” Kay Jordan with the Pulaski County Humane Society says. “And jail time be suspended. It needs to be a felony, because a slap on the wrist doesn't discourage anyone from doing this." The Pulaski County and Beebe Humane societies returned to Jolly's property Friday and loaded the dogs up in cages. They say they hope to find the dogs a home at a pit bull rescue facility out of the state.                                                                                          3 Men accused of running Dog Fighting Ring OH                                                     Suspected dog-fighting animals confiscated NC July 14/2006 Three Men Accused Of Running Dog Fight Ring/Suspects Found Allegedly Taunting Six Pit Bulls/(CBS) CHICAGO Three men are accused of running a dog fighting ring on the Southwest Side. Roy Clay and Charles Tolliver are charged with training and dog fighting. Marcus Anderson is charged with cruelty to animals and drug possession. On Thursday, police were patrolling the 6100 block of South Marshfield and became suspicious when they heard loud, persistent barking coming from a yard. They found the suspects apparently taunting six pit bulls who were chained with no water on a 90-degree day. Investigators say the dogs suffered from injuries typical of those in animal fighting. The dogs are now in animal control custody. Source:http://cbs2chicago.com                                   Jul. 20, 2006 Lengthy investigations into a case of animal cruelty led to the recovery of 17 abused and neglected dogs Wednesday afternoon. But according to the Vance County Animal Control unit, at least 20 more dogs that were also abused in this case couldn't be found Wednesday and remain unaccounted for. Vance Animal Control Chief Alexander Hargrove said that animal control officers seized 13 pit bulls, three bullmastiffs and one pit bull-mixed dog from a residential area on Stagecoach Road Wednesday afternoon. Some of the recovered dogs had lived under abusive conditions for at least three years, Hargrove said; a relative of one of the dogs' owners reported the abuse to authorities, Hargrove said. After retrieving the animals Wednesday, Hargrove took out warrants for a Vance County woman and a Wake County man who allegedly own the dogs. Lawanda Ragland of 293 Regina Lane and Mark Anthony Davis, 36, of Raleigh, face 17 counts of misdemeanor animal cruelty. Sixteen of the counts are related to “depriving the (13 pit bulls and three bullmastiffs) of necessary sustenance” as these dogs were not given the proper food, water and veterinary treatment to remain healthy. The final animal cruelty count concerns “overriding” the pit bull-mixed dog; this particular dog weighs about 30 pounds and Hargrove said the dog was being restrained with a chain and collar that weighed more than the animal. The Vance County Sheriff's Office will serve the warrants. In addition to the animal cruelty charges, Ragland and Davis may face additional fines for violating a county ordinance 17 times (once for each dog recovered Wednesday). Hargrove said that in Vance County, dogs must be vaccinated for rabies and must then have rabies tags to show they were vaccinated. The dogs recovered Wednesday had no such tags and Hargrove said that, to his knowledge, the dogs were not vaccinated. Hargrove would not say for certain if the dogs recovered Wednesday were raised and kept for illegal dog-fighting purposes. He did say, however, that two pit bulls and one bullmastiff appeared to have “battle scars” and may have participated in fights. The mastiff, in particular, reportedly had such extensive damage to his scrotum that his testicles were completely exposed and flies were attached to them. Hargrove said that investigations into this particular case actually began in 2003. At the time, Hargrove says the dogs were kept at a residence off Old Epsom Road. Ragland apparently caught on to the investigation, however, and Hargrove said the dogs were moved from this location. Investigations into this case resumed last September, Hargrove said, after Vance Animal Control received tips that neglected pit bulls were being held on Stagecoach Road. Here, about 37 dogs were reportedly being held in a 200-foot by 100-foot fenced area. Hargrove said that trips to the property in recent days revealed that there were empty water buckets on the property, as well as food buckets crawling with maggots and algae growing in rainwater. Hargrove said that in the midst of the recent summer heat, some dogs were seen licking the empty water buckets trying to get just a mere drop of water from them. The limited space that the dogs were contained in was also littered with trash and old stoves, refrigerators and washing machines, according to Hargrove. There was not sufficient shelter on the property for the animals. Hargrove believes Ragland and Davis once again caught wind of the ongoing investigations. When Animal Control moved to seized the animals Wednesday, Hargrove said food had been left on the ground for the dogs and the maggots had been cleaned out of the food dishes. Also, Hargrove said at least 20 dogs had been removed from the site. Among the 17 recovered animals were three puppies, two of which were less than two months old and severely emaciated. The third was about three months old and also underweight. When asked why the dogs were not seized earlier, Hargrove said he had made contact with Ragland by phone on many occasions demanding that the situation be corrected and warning her that she could face criminal charges if it were not. Hargrove claims he also attempted to meet with Ragland in person several times but she was always unavailable. Charges were filed after requests to fix the problem were not heeded. “We're not out to take dogs and lock people up off the top,” Hargrove said. “We're going to give people the opportunity to correct the problem first.” Now that Ragland and Davis have been charged, the dogs will be moved to secured locations during the pending legal proceedings; Davis and Ragland are scheduled to appear in court Aug. 14. Ragland and Davis will also be charged a $10 per day boarding fee for each dog while the dogs are in protective custody. They will also have to pay a $25 redemption fee for each dog and will also be billed for any medical treatment the dogs receive. Hargrove said the dogs are not adoptable. Source:http://www.hendersondispatch.com   Pit Bull Training Facility found Dayton OH                                                               15 arrested,2 dogs die at dog fight, Pontiac MI Updated September 20-2006-Were these dogs bred to kill? Police uncover evidence of possible dog-fighting ring in area-DAYTON — Dayton police are investigating what may be an organized, criminal dog-fighting ring in the region. The investigation started with a July 24 raid on a house in the 4900 block of Hoover Avenue that police said could be a "dog-fighting farm."-Dayton police Lt. Patrick Welsh said, "There are definitely indicators that this is more far-reaching than just the three individuals we have identified, but it's too early to tell how far-reaching." The issue is not confined to the Dayton area. At least 40,000 people breed or own pit bulls for fighting, said John Goodwin, deputy manager of animal fighting issues with the Humane Society of the United States. He based the figure on arrests, breeder ads and underground dog-fighting magazine subscriptions lists. For example, the now-defunct New York magazine Sporting Dog Journal had at least 7,000 subscribers. At the Hoover Avenue site, "along the north wall of the house was two small electric treadmills that had been altered with wooden walls to keep a dog from stepping off the side," according to an affidavit filed in support of a police search. On this raid — and at houses in the 100 block of Anna Street, the 300 block of East Lincoln Street and the 700 block of Mia Avenue — police seized 35 pit bulls and pit bull mixes and other evidence. Welsh said investigators are not seeking to charge anyone yet, but have consulted with the Montgomery County Prosecutor's Office. Welsh and other officers are "taking baby steps" and wading through paperwork, with "potential for additional search warrants and evidence to be seized." The pit bulls will be confined at the Montgomery County Animal Resource Center until the investigations are completed, said Mark Kumpf, center director. "We continue to follow-up on animal abuse and animal fighting reports," Kumpf said. The dogs' owners are being charged $10 per day per dog for their care, Kumpf said.-Source:www.daytondailynews.com/ July 24,2006 Officers: Pit Bull Training Facility Found In Dayton Ohio DAYTON, Ohio -- Investigators said neighbors called police about constant barking at a home, and that led to the discovery of about 20 pit bulls around 6 p.m. Sunday. Police think that someone was training and fighting the dogs. Officers said they found what is believed to be a secret pit bull training facility in the 4900 block of Hoover and shut it down. UPDATED: 7/27/2006 31 'pit bulls' taken, may be put down The owner denies they are pit bulls, says he runs a kennel and that he has a permit. By Lauren Dunford and Kelli Wynn Staff Writers DAYTON | The 31 dogs removed from a residence at 4901 Hoover Ave. on Sunday will be euthanized if they are not returned to their owner, said Mark Kumpf, director of the Montgomery County Animal Resource Center.Police and center officials came to the Hoover address around 5:50 p.m. Sunday and removed the dogs after a resident spotted an injured dog and called police. Police identified the dogs as pit bulls. "These animals were seized from a location where they may have been used for fighting," Kumpf said Monday. "The dogs will be held here, pending the outcome of the criminal investigation." The owner of the Hoover property, Simon Denby, said he was not home when the dogs were removed and said, "This is a kennel club." No charges were filed Monday. Denby obtained a kennel license on Jan. 31, according to the Montgomery County Auditor's office. Denby said the dogs were mixed breeds and that "none are pit bulls." "By the time I got the search warrant it was 1:50 a.m. (Police) were already on the property," Denby said Monday as he and another man removed what appeared to be several bags of dog food from the Hoover Avenue address. Denby declined further comment. A Dayton police log said police were "investigating a call about an injured pit bull with dog-fighting injuries having walked out of a wooded area. When the crew checked the wooded area, they found what appeared to be a dog-fighting training area." The log also said Animal Control officers called Assistant City Prosecutor Stephanie Marsh and were advised to obtain a search warrant. Animal Control then requested assistance in getting the warrant for the Hoover address and another on Mia Avenue to seize the pit bulls "and various dog-fighting training equipment, records, and vet supplies." The log did not list what was found at the Mia Avenue address. Source: www.daytondailynews.com Police said up to 20 dogs were found, and said some were in kennels and other were chained to trees. Animals Resource workers were called in and removed about a dozen dogs. Investigators said more dogs could be removed as the investigation continues. Police said no arrests or citations have been made, but officers said they may return to the home later. Source: www.whiotv.com                                   July 25,2006 15 arrested, 2 dogs die at dog fight PONTIAC - Fifteen people were arrested for dog fighting after police were called to a Summit Street garage early Monday.Someone called police after seeing people sneaking into a garage at a home on the 100 block of Summit Street about 3:45 a.m., said Sgt. William Ware of the Pontiac Police Department. "After the officers got there, the dogs would not stop fighting," Ware said. Two of the dogs had to be put down, he said. Exactly what breed the dogs were or how many of them were in the garage is unknown. Ware said charges will be pursued against the 15 people arrested - which includes five juveniles - in coming days. The charges could be for dog fighting or cruelty to animals, both felonies, Ware said. The practice of dog fighting is prevalent in the city even though it is illegal. It is part of an underground culture and is notoriously difficult to track. There are very few arrests or prosecutions for dog fighting because fights typically take place in the early morning hours in pits set up in basements, garages or abandoned houses. In the practice, dogs fight until one dies or is so severely injured it cannot continue. Ware said gambling is involved in many of the fights. He could not comment on whether there was gambling at Monday's fight. Also, drug dealers have been known to frequent fights. Nancy Gunnigle of the Michigan Humane Society said: "Dog fighting is almost always associated with other crimes. No one wants it in their community. It should be taken seriously." Gunnigle said her office investigates 4,000 animal cruelty cases a year, with about 125 of those cases involving dog fighting. "We hear about it all the time," she said. "It's sad." Source:http://www.theoaklandpress.com    Pit Bulls Ordered "PUT DOWN" after fight. OH                                                         Dogs seized, Fighting-training evidence found  WI Pit bulls ordered put down after fight/Four men charged -July 29, 2006 LORAIN — A judge on Friday ordered the destruction of two pit bulls after they were pulled from a fight that police believe was being egged on by four men. All four men, who were arrested Thursday, were arraigned in Lorain Municipal Court on Friday. Officers responded to a disturbance call in the 200 block of East 32nd Street and heard people yelling and dogs barking and whining inside a closed garage, police said. An officer spotted one of the men, Dante Parker, 25, exiting the garage and ordered him to the ground. Parker and the other men, Tiawan McCall, 25, Jason Evans, 20, and Romerio Parker, 21, each were also charged with breaking and entering, city prosecutor Barry Motsch said, and are being held at the county jail on $50,000 bonds. Parker told police he and the other men were there to clean the property and mow the lawn when they heard the dogs barking and went to help them. Officers did not find any cleaning or lawn mowing equipment on the premises, police said. The property owners could not be located and police believe the men broke into the garage. Both dogs had fresh, superficial wounds on their necks and ears and scratches from each other’s paws, county dog warden Jack Szlempa said. Pit bulls know how to inflict damage when they want to, so their light wounds makes him believe someone put them up to fighting, he said. “They have very powerful jaws and when they start to bite they begin tearing tissue,” he said. “They really go after each other.” Municipal Court Judge Mark Mihok said he decided to order the dogs euthanized based on Szlempa’s recommendation that they were vicious, a label applied to any animal that has a propensity to attack. The arrests marks the city’s first dog fighting case in more than four years, Motsch said, adding that there has been an increase in the number of calls concerning pit bulls. “It’s not necessarily the dog’s problem, it’s their owners who want to emulate the gangster lifestyle by having these mean pit bulls,” he said. Source:www.chroniclet.com                                   UPDATE:September 21, 2006-Man seeks preliminary hearing in Allouez dog-fighting case-Smith, 23, accused of training pit bulls to attack one another - An Allouez man accused of training pit bulls to fight has asked for a preliminary hearing on charges of instigating fights between animals. Kendale Smith, 23, made an appearance in Brown County intake court Wednesday with his lawyer, Tim Pedretti. Smith is free having posted a signature bond to guarantee his return to court. Smith, who is charged with three felonies and a misdemeanor, faces up to 11 years in prison. He is due back in court Oct. 26. As part of his bond, Smith was ordered to surrender his dogs to Green Bay police Animal Control Officer Sharon Hensen. After Wednesday's hearing, Hensen said the dogs remained safe at an undisclosed location and would not provide additional details. According to the criminal complaint filed in the case, Brown County Sheriff's deputies were alerted in mid-July that three pit bulls were being kept on Smith's property. Passersby told deputies that they could hear dogs whimpering inside the garage. On July 31, several more complaints surfaced about dogs being uncared for inside the home and garage in the 96-degree heat. Allouez officials obtained an inspection warrant for Smith's home and entered the garage and the house with deputies. They found two pit bulls kenneled in the garage with no food or water. Deputy John Flannery described the stench of feces and urine in the garage as "overpowering," according to the criminal complaint. Deputies found evidence that one of the dogs had tried to chew through a wall while confined in the garage. A third pit bull was found in the home's basement, chained to a pole and surrounded by feces and puddles of urine, the complaint said. Source:www.greenbaypressgazette.com **************************************** Org Story _August 2-2006 ALLOUEZ — Three dogs are in protective custody after police and inspectors found evidence of dog fighting in an Oakwood Avenue home Monday afternoon. The resident of the home at 2428 Oakwood Ave. was in jail on weapons charges when one dog was seized. The Wisconsin Circuit Court Access Program shows that Kendale Smith, 23, was arrested July 30 on charges of carrying a concealed weapon and possession of a short-barreled shotgun or rifle. "The dogs are not in horrible condition," said Roger Messick, executive director of Bay Area Humane Society. "But the conditions of the house were worse than the dogs are." Chief Deputy John Gossage said he believes one dog was taken Monday, while the other two may have been taken when the man was arrested the day before. Police and a village inspector went inside the home after concerns arose that dogs inside were not being cared for. The basement of the home was strewn with dog feces, Gossage said. "The main concern is the dogs' safety," Gossage said. Gossage said the signs of dogfight training found included certain types of collars and leashes, a garage-door spring with material around it used to train dogs, a treadmill or "Jenny" with dried blood on it. Source:http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com   34 dogs, "used for fighting" Melbourne Florida                                                          250 Pit bull seized in liberty Co. TX  (UPDATES)                   August2-2006 George Holden, 58, was arrested last month on multiple counts of drug and theft charges in Melbourne. When police raided his house, they found the 34 dogs, many with bite scars on their faces, legs and torsos, along with open wounds, fleas and worms. They also found evidence that Holden and his two nephews were using the canines, all but two of which are pit bulls, in dog fighting. That evidence includes a pool and treadmills used to exercise the dogs and “build upper body strength,” according to county officials. County officials held custody hearings for the dogs Monday and Wednesday, one of the longest in memory, in front of Judge Kelly McKibben. Defense attorney Robin Lemonidis said the dogs were pets and were used for hog hunting, although records show that Holden holds no hunting license. She said animal control officers were judging her client, who lives in a 2-acre compound off Melbourne’s East University Boulevard., on “Indialantic standards.” Assistant County Attorney Morris Richardson countered that the dogs were abused, based on their condition and the equipment found in the yard. The dogs are being held at the South Animal Care Center off of Eau Gallie Boulevard. In addition to the dogs, there were numerous rabbits, exotic birds, turtles and a duck, which are also being held at the center. Assistant County Attorney Morris Richardson said dog-fighting charges will be filed soon as the county permanently separates Holden and the animals. The case is scheduled to continue at 11 a.m. on Aug. 11.Source:http://www.floridatoday.com                                    AUGUST 18-2006 UPDATE Most pit bulls in breeding operation to be euthanized /A Liberty County justice of the peace decided Thursday all dogs six months old or older recently seized at an American pit bull terrier breeding operation will be euthanized. Any younger dog will be sold at public auction.In a four-hour seizure hearing, Liberty County Justice of the Peace Phil Fitzgerald said the 285 dogs taken from Thomas Weigner's breeding operation were treated poorly, said Sgt. Mark Timmers, a Harris County and Houston Humane Society animal cruelty supervisor who assisted in the seizure and attended the hearing. Timmers estimated about 20 puppies are younger than six months. "We're positive that there was cruelty beyond a reasonable doubt in this matter," Timmers said in a telephone conversation. Liberty County sheriff's deputies discovered Weigner's breeding business Aug. 2 while responding to home robbery call that ended in Weigner's death. Local authorities seized the pit bulls, now kenneled at the Houston agency, on Aug 7. A Humane Society official told the court Monday it cost $10 a day to care for each dog. The dogs have allegedly been bred for dog-fighting, which Weigner's wife, Julie Laban, denied through her attorney, Dick Wheelan of Houston. The hearing had been scheduled for Monday. However, Fitzgerald ruled a veterinarian would not be allowed to examine the dogs unless Laban was able to post a $28,500 bond by Thursday. In a telephone conversation before the hearing, Wheelan said Laban didn't have the financial means to meet the bond. Source:www.southeasttexaslive.com August 17-2006 UPDATE Bond set on seized pit bulls /CLEVELAND - If a slain man's wife wants to claim ownership of 285 seized pit bulls allegedly trained for illegal fighting, she must first come up with $28,500. Liberty County Justice of the Peace Phil Fitzgerald ruled Monday that Julie Laban must post a $28,500 bond by 10 a.m. Thursday in order to go to trial. Fitzgerald granted an attorney present on Laban's behalf a 72-hour continuance to raise the money. If the nonrefundable bond is met, then a 10-day preparation period will given to Laban and her attorney before a seizure hearing Aug. 24. If the bond is not paid, the trial will begin Thursday at 1 p.m. Humane Society officials told the court it costs them $10 a day per dog to care for the animals, a court official said. The bond amount is exactly 10 days' worth of dog care. The pit bulls, seized Aug. 7 and put in the Houston agency's care, supposedly were living in unsanitary conditions, including stagnant water. Liberty County sheriff's deputies discovered the huge breeding operation when responding to 9-1-1 call prompted by an alleged robbery. During that incident, the dogs' apparent owner, Thomas Weigner, 27, was shot in the leg and bled to death. An investigation continues into the homicide. Detectives say they believe Weigner and his business, Westpenn Kennels, were connected into a large-scale, elite, underground dog-fighting operation with international links. Liberty County Sheriff Greg Arthur also believes a connection exists between Weigner's death and the underground fighting. The dogs have been bred for fighting, said Sgt. Mark Timmers, a Harris County animal cruelty investigator helping with the cases. Because the breeding reportedly emphasizes an aggressive nature, Timmers said these pit bulls are unsafe for adoption. The Houston Humane Society has received several calls claiming ownership to the dogs and some people have shown up at its facility trying to forcefully gain access to the dogs. Source:www.southeasttexaslive.com August 7, 2006 250 pit bulls seized in Liberty County/A murder mystery led authorities to one of the biggest pit ull breeding operations they've ever seen. More than 250 pit bulls allegedly bred for fighting were seized in Liberty County on Monday morning. It was expected to take hours for Houston Humane Society workers and Precinct 6 deputies to get the dogs under control and into crates. According to officials, Liberty County officials discovered the operation while allegedly investigating a home invasion in the 2200 block of CR 2252. The dogs' owner, 27-year-old Thomas Weigner was found murdered in his home. It's believed Weigner bred the dogs for fighting and shipped them across the country. The dogs will be brought back to the Humane Society in Houston. Officials estimated the entire operation would take six to eight hours. Source:http://www.kvue.com OTHER MEDIA: 300 pit bulls seized at Liberty County home Authorities believe they were used in dogfighting ring By ROSANNA RUIZ Copyright 2006 Houston Chronicle Authorities are seizing about 300 pit bull terriers from a suspected dogfighting ring based at a Liberty County residence where a fatal home invasion occurred last week. Liberty County sheriff's deputies, Harris County Pct. 6 deputy constables and Houston Humane Society officials are at the site now at 2218 County Road 2252 in Cleveland.The dogs, some left in outdoor kennels, are believed to have been bred for illegal dogfighting. In the incident last week, Thomas Weigner, 27, bled to death after being shot in the leg, said Liberty County Sheriff Greg Arthur.Weigner's wife, father-in-law and three children were tied up during the incident, but were not harmed, Arthur said. "At this time, we don't believe it was a random home invasion," Arthur said. "We do believe there's a connection (to the dog ring)." A Humane Society official said the seizure is a huge operation. The dogs will have to be placed in individual crates for transportation because of the danger that they could attack each other if transported together, she said. They will be brought to the organization's facility on Almeda Road on Houston's south side, she said. Source:www.chron.com ********UPDATES******** Aug. 8, 2006, 2:14PM DOG RING IN LIBERTY COUNTY Pit bull operation 'massive' Police say slaying might be tied to illegal trade; officials wonder how they will house the 300 dogs By ROSANNA RUIZ and RENÉE C. LEE Copyright 2006 Houston Chronicle /CLEVELAND - An investigation into a deadly home invasion uncovered what authorities consider a massive pit bull breeding operation that supplied dogs for illegal dog fighting ventures around the country. Liberty County sheriff's deputies, Harris County Precinct 6 deputy constables and Houston Humane Society investigators seized most of the more than 300 pit bull terriers from filthy conditions at the home in the 2200 block of County Road 2252 east of Cleveland.Investigators, however, were unable to collect all of the dogs and will return to the home again today. Those taken Monday were turned over to the Humane Society for treatment. Last week, Thomas F. Weigner Jr., 27, was shot in the leg during the 3 a.m. home invasion and bled to death, authorities said. Weigner's wife, her parents and the couple's three children were bound with tape during Tuesday's incident, but none was harmed, said Liberty County Sheriff Greg Arthur. One of Weigner's dogs, considered to be his personal guard dog, was also shot and killed after it managed to get loose and attack one of the three intruders. "At this time, we don't believe it was a random home invasion," Arthur said. "We do believe there's a connection (to the dog ring.)" Robbery may have been the motive, investigators said. The men repeatedly demanded money and shot Weigner in an attempt to get him to tell them where he may have hidden money, said Sgt. Kenny Dagle of the Liberty County Sheriff's Department. Two suspects have been questioned, but Arthur was unable to elaborate on the case. No charges have been filed. Arthur disclosed, however, that Weigner ran the pit bull operation on his 15- to 20-acre spread and had shipped dogs "all over the country." Weigner also ran a similar business in Pennsylvania, where his family returned Saturday to bury Weigner, investigators said. The number of pit bulls, valued at about $1 million, posed problems for the Liberty County Sheriff's Department, which lacks the resources to handle such a load. Arthur said he had to call on Precinct 6 and the Humane Society, both experienced in such sizable seizures. "This is the worst case of animal cruelty and the biggest operation we've seen and been involved in," Arthur said. More than 200 of the dogs were tied to stakes, and kept at a distance from other dogs. Some were forced to stand in pools of mud and their own feces, authorities said. Some of the more vicious dogs had to be tranquilized so they could be carried into small crates. Adoption isn't an option Sgt. Mark Timmers, a Precinct 6 investigator, said most illegal dog-breeding operations he's encountered typically average about 120 or so dogs. "This was a massive pit bull-breeding operation," Timmers said. Some of the dogs will be housed inside the Humane Society's Wellness Center while others will be kept in separate, 6-foot-high kennels in the agency's barn, both at the agency's 17400 Almeda Road shelter. "The issue is going to be space," said Courtney Frank, a spokeswoman for the Humane Society. "None of these animals can be housed together." The agency vowed on its Web site to care for the dogs through the duration of a court case, which could take several weeks. A county justice of the peace will determine who should have custody of the animals. Although the Humane Society will care and treat the dogs, the nonprofit agency does not offer the breed for adoptions. The agency, Frank said, does not have the resources to "rehabilitate" pit bulls. However, the city of Houston recently changed its policy and allows the breed to be adopted from its pound. Still, it's simply too early to tell what will become of the dogs, Frank said. Some may have untreatable health issues as a result of the conditions in which they were kept, she said. "They certainly deserve a much better life than they one they got from the get-go," Frank said. "These guys have never had a belly rub." Pit bulls, known by their official American Kennel Club name as American Staffordshire Terriers, remain popular despite their aggressive nature. That mystifies Colleen Hodges, a spokeswoman for the Harris County Animal Control, who said the breed may benefit from an "underdog syndrome." "They have a lot of capabilities most people who adopt them aren't ready or prepared for," she said. "Personally, I wouldn't bring them into my house. They have the terrier tenacity, strength and ability to do a lot of damage." Harris County Animal Control records show a 30 percent increase, to 2,514, in the number of stray or abandoned pit bulls received there in 2005 from the previous year. Leading the pack Of the 25 breeds of dogs involved in 238 human dog-bite fatalities from 1979 to 1998, pit bull-type dogs and Rottweilers were involved in more than half of the incidents, according to the most recent report issued by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "People don't always read their body language," Hodges said. "They're bred not to show they're going to attack — that tips off the opponent and makes it very hard to read their body language." That characteristic may be ideal for the ring, but isn't appealing for dog owners, She said .Source:www.chron.com                                                                                                Dog Fighting Rung Busted in Hillsborough County FL                                               Roanoke, VA 2 busted for Meth Lab & Dog fighting Dogfighting ring busted up in Hillsborough County an ABC Action News report 08/11/06 /TAMPA - Four people are in serious trouble - charged with running a 'dog fighting' ring. Authorities say they raided two Hillsborough County homes expecting to find the animals, but they also found drugs and weapons inside those homes. Deputies say the man behind the ring is 80-years old and from the condition of the dogs, they believe this has been going for a long time. Some wounded and frail, deputies say the more than two dozen pit bulls found at the home were bred to fight. They bear the scars and injuries of that activity, some of the wounds severe and infected. Animal workers say they were all living in filth. "They were on concrete pads - many of them had no shelter, no water. Some of the animals were emaciated," said Animal Services' Dennis McCullough. 80-year old Ray Starks now faces multiple counts of dog fighting and animal cruelty charges. Authorities also arrested 3 other men, (Bobby Lee Roberts, Ruben Anderson, James Lee Cobb, III) on drug charges. They seized the animals from 2 Thonotasassa homes Thursday night. Today we saw several people coming and going from the homes, including several children - but no one would talk to us. One neighbor says she has called the sheriff's office several times because of problems at the homes. She says it was no secret the dogs were there, but she had no idea just how many were being kept behind the fences. Authorities also removed several other pets from the homes, including some birds and another dog. Animal Services says those pit bulls will most likely be put down. Source:www.tampabaylive.com MORE : Hillsborough deputies say they busted a cocaine and dog fighting ring Thonotosassa, Florida - Hillsborough County's SWAT team and the Tampa Police Department's Vice Unit served a search warrant at a home on Rockhill Road in Thonotosassa around 7 pm last night. Deputies say they went to the home to investigate the sale of crack cocaine and dog fighting. Deputies say the owner of the property, Ray Starks, had 15 adult dogs locked in cages. The animals had various scars and marks consistent with dog fighting and had several visible injuries. The dogs were lacking food and shelter. Deputies say the search also revealed 339 grams of crack cocaine, 269 grams of powder cocaine, nine grams of marijuana and $4,850 in U.S. currency. Two semi-automatic handguns were located and seized. Estimated street value of the narcotics seized is $80,000. Ray Stark faces nine counts of dog fighting, ten counts of animal cruelty and 15 counts of improperly confining animals. Deputies also arrested Bobby Lee Roberts for possession of cocaine and marijuana, Ruben Anderson for trafficking in crack cocaine and felony possession of a firearm, and James Lee Cobb for possession of crack cocaine with intent to deliver. Animal Services seized the animals. The investigation continues.                                           August 16, 2006- Fighting dogs and drugs seized, Wythe Co. couple arrested/A marijuana bust in Wythe County turned into a much bigger find Tuesday morning. The sheriff's office says 32-year-old Sean Burlarley and his 27-year-old wife Sandra had a meth lab in their home and were raising bulldogs to fight. Police raided their house on Earles Road in Rural Retreat late Monday night. They found a marijuana growing operation and seized 19 plants, but soon realized the house was also a meth lab. Hazmat crews were called out and so was animal control. Sheriff Doug King says the Burlarleys were raising American bull dogs to fight. "We have found bite sleeves and biting tools which are wraps that you put on your arm to teach a dog to bite," said the sheriff. One of the dogs attacked several officers and had to be shot. Nine others, including two puppies were taken to the animal shelter. The dogs cannot be adopted. The Burlarleys are charged with manufacturing meth and marijuana, cruelty to animals and raising dogs to fight. They are being held at the NRV Jail without bond. Source:http://www.wdbj7.com UPDATE AUGUST 17-2006 /A couple waits for a judge to decide what happens to nine dogs.Nine American Bull dogs were seized during a raid in Wythe County. Some had injuries on their faces and backs. Before they were arrested, 32-year old Sean Burlarley and his 27 year old wife Sandra signed custody of their nine dogs over to Beverly and Brandon Wright. They are friends of the Burlarley's and they say the Burlarley's did NOT train their dogs to fight. Wright just started breeding bull dogs with the help of Sandra and Sean Burlarley. She says these dogs sell for anywhere between $500 and $800, and Sandra Burlarley wouldn't sell until she checked out the buyer's home. Wright's shocked about the drug allegations, but she says the animal cruelty is just not true. The Wrights say they will take all nine dogs home, but they have to wait for a judge to decide what happens to the animals.Source: www.wdbj7.com                                                                  Dog Fighting Case Set to go to trial. Lansing MI                                                           4 Pit bulls under care / Dog Fighting raid MI August 12, 2006-Dog fighting case set to go to trial By Lisa Roose-Church /Special to the Lansing State Journal/ A Livingston County District Court judge ruled this week there is enough evidence to send a Green Oak Township man accused of holding illegal dog fights to trial. Shember is charged with six counts of animal fighting and two counts of possessing animal fighting equipment. If convicted, he faces up to four years in prison and/or a $5,000 to $50,000 fine, or 500 to 1,000 hours of community service. Green Oak Township Police Officer Aimee Danforth testified that she began an animal cruelty investigation involving Todd Norman Shember's home after she and Livingston County Animal Control officers discovered distressed pit bulls at the home on the afternoon of Jan. 6.--Danforth said she initially responded to the home to assist Animal Control officers investigating a complaint from a veterinarian who had treated a badly injured dog belonging to 40-year-old Shember. Animal Control officers took custody of six dogs as well as possible evidence of illegal dog fighting, including treadmills and other training equipment. Police described the conditions of the home as "very severe." Danforth said the yard and dog pen were covered with feces. Prosecutors said it is unknown where the alleged dog fighting took place.Source:www.lsj.com                                     4 pitbulls under treatment after dog-fighting raid--Thursday, August 10, 2006--FLINT -Four wounded pitbulls are on antibiotics at the Genesee Animal Control Department shelter in Flint Township, evidence in a dog-fighting case police are trying to make against a 51-year-old Flint man. The suspect was initially arrested early Sunday morning at his home on Laurene Street near W. Mott Avenue on Flint's north side after police responded to a call and broke up a dog fight being held in the suspect's garage. The arrival of police sent a number of people running into the night. The homeowner and another man were arrested, although they were released pending further investigation.--"It was great police work," said Sgt. Draike Sparks, an investigator in the Flint Police Deparment's detective bureau, about the patrol officers who disrupted the dog fight. Officers found various pieces of equipment used in dog fighting in the garage, and four injured pit bulls in cages in four cars left parked on the street, Sparks said. Animal Control officers were called and confiscated the dogs as evidence for police, said Lloyd Gerhardt, chief officer of the county animal department. The dogs are being given antibiotics and some of them are scarred from having been fought previously, Gerhardt said. Depending on how the case against the homeowner proceeds, those pit bulls could be introduced as evidence. - Sparks said that he could be seeking a warrant charging the homeowner late this week or early next week. Source:www.mlive.com Two face Dog Fighting Charges & Crack Cocaine IA                                                     Animals taken after alleged dog fight -Florida Second Update:September 21-2006-Fighting dogs will be killed-MASON CITY — A Cerro Gordo County District Court judge Wednesday ordered that 10 dogs held as evidence in a dog fighting case be put to death. Judge Paul Riffel’s ruling came two days after veterinarian Jeff Cornick of the Pioneer Animal Hospital said the dogs could not be rehabilitated or placed safely with new owners. The dogs, nine pit bulls and a Rottweiler, were seized after two Mason City men were arrested on dog fighting charges in August. “I don’t think you can blame the dogs,” said Assistant County Attorney Carlyle Dalen. “They are clearly the victims of the people who trained them for fighting. “If these same dogs had been brought up in a decent home, where they had not been subjected to the aggression, they could have been good pets,” Dalen said. In his order, Riffel said state law provides that “if the court determines that an animal is a threatened animal, the court has the authority to dispose of the animal in any manner deemed appropriate for the welfare of the animal.” He said the law also provides that a dog involved in dog fighting should be considered “threatened and rescued” and can be disposed of in accordance with the law. Riffel said he concluded from the evidence and testimony that the 10 dogs were threatened animals. The dogs were seized by Mason City animal control officers after the police department’s Neighborhood Enforcement Team observed people conducting a dog fight Aug. 4 at 702 N. Delaware Ave. When officers approached, people fled. Two dog owners eventually were charged. Helios Florian-Tejada, 26, was charged with dog fighting and possession of crack cocaine. Days later, Brandon D. Holton, 17, Mason City, was charged with dog fighting. No additional charges have been filed, according to Dalen, but the case remains under investigation. Cornick said several of the adult pit bulls are very aggressive, especially with other dogs. He also told Riffel that other dogs are very fearful, a characteristic of dogs involved in fighting. “If they have bitten someone and gotten results from the aggression,” Cornick said, “they’ll keep doing it.” He said several of the dogs had bite wounds and sores. “Some of the younger dogs have not been exposed to social conditions,” he said. “They have shown abnormal puppy behaviors.” Source:www.globegazette.com UPDATE: Spetember 19-2006-Vet says dogs trained to fight can't be rehabilitated ASSOCIATED PRESS September 19, 2006 A Mason City veterinarian says 10 dogs seized in a dogfighting case last month must be euthanized. Jeff Cornick, a veterinarian at Pioneer Animal Hospital, said the nine pit bull terriers and one Rottweiler likely could not be rehabilitated. The dogs were treated and housed at the clinic. Several of the dogs are very aggressive, especially with other dogs, he said during a court hearing on Monday. The dogs were seized after investigators with the Mason City Police Department's Neighborhood Enforcement Team saw people holding a dog fight on Aug. 4, police said. Cornick said he didn’t believe the dogs could be placed back into the community. “If they have bitten someone and gotten results from the aggression, they’ll keep doing it,” Cornick said. Helios Florian-Tejada, 26, was charged with dog fighting and possession of crack cocaine on Aug. 16. Brandon D. Holton, 17, of Mason City, was charged with dog fighting on Aug. 21. The investigation was continuing. Source:/desmoinesregister.com Tuesday, August 22, 2006 -Two face dog fighting charges; pit bulls seized- MASON CITY — Helion Florian-Tejada, 26, of Mason City, was arrested Aug. 16 and charged with possession of crack cocaine, a serious misdemeanor, and dog fighting, a Class D felony, according to the Mason City Police Department. He was released from jail Aug. 17. A 17-year-old juvenile from Mason City also was arrested and charged with dog fighting, and released to a family member. The juvenile’s name was unavailable late Tuesday. Both arrests stemmed from an incident that occurred on Aug. 4 at 702 N. Delaware Ave. Mason City Animal Control officers seized five pit bulls. Florian-Tejada was arrested by investigators with the Mason City Drug Enforcement Team. A Class D felony is punishable by up to 5 years in prison. A serious misdemeanor is punishable by up to 1 year in prison. Police said the investigation continues and more arrests are expected. The city of Mason City, the North Central Iowa Narcotics Task Force and the Cerro Gordo County Sheriff’s Department also assisted in the case. Source:www.globegazette.com                                    UPDATE-AUGUST 24-2006-Pit bulls seized; arrests expected-Leon County animal-control officers picked up 14 pit bulls Tuesday night that were bloodied, battered and scarred from dogfighting in the 3600 block of Blue Bird Road. When Leon County Sheriff's deputies arrived at the Crown Ridge neighborhood house just after 8 p.m., they saw a crowd of people standing in a circle scatter, Chris Chase, Sheriff's Office spokesman, said. Three people took a dog and fled in a car, he said. Deputies are still trying to determine which dogs lived on the property and if there are multiple owners. Although no charges have been filed, the Sheriff's Office anticipates arrests, Chase said.Dogfighting, possessing a fight dog or being a spectator are felonies. The dogs had internal parasites and needed other medical attention. They were not implanted with microchips, and they did not have any rabies immunization information. Officers took the pit bulls to the Tallahassee-Leon Animal Service Center. The Humane Society received a complaint a few months ago from someone in the neighborhood, said Jennifer Hobgood, program coordinator for the Southeast region Humane Society of the United States. "It's so underground," she said. "It's a sadistic kind of contest. They're specifically bred and trained and conditioned to fight." Tuesday's roundup had the most dogs Richard Ziegler, animal service center director, has seen at once in the five years he's worked with the center, he said. It's difficult to quantify how many dog fights happen in Leon County, he said. "The calls we get are infrequent," he said. But the center receives calls often about dogs being chained up and not being fed, which is how the animals are conditioned to be aggressive, Ziegler said. "The first thing they'll do is fight," he said. "That's their life. That's their behavior." Many of the fights that law enforcement officers see involve gambling, Chase said. "Groups that gamble and bet on dogfights make upwards of thousands of dollars on bets," he said. Any breed of dog can be conditioned to fight. Once that behavior is instilled in an animal, it faces a bleak future, even if it is rescued. "Unfortunately, some are put to sleep," Ziegler said. "If you catch them early enough, they're adoptable." The center has not yet determined what will happen to the dogs. Source:www.tallahassee.com ORG STORY-August 23, 2006 Deputies may have stopped a dogfight in Crown August 23, 2006-Animals taken after alleged dog fight- Twelve dogs with fighting injuries were taken from a Leon County home last night, said Lt. Rory Robbins of the Sheriff’s Office. The incident was called in at 7:37 p.m. last night at 3637 Blue Bird Rd. and people scattered when deputies arrived, Robbins said. The dogs were taken by Animal Control.-The Sheriff’s Office hasn’t made any arrests yet but the case is still open. source-www.tallahassee.com  Dog Fighting  Decatur Illinois,17 Dogs found                                                                      Dog Returned to man accused of fighting Dogs WI    The breakING up of a dog fight last week by Decatur police has sent some shock waves through the community, wondering how animals could be treated so cruelly. The police, while serving a narcotics search warrant, broke up a dog fight and seized 17 pit bulls, nine of them puppies so young they hadn't opened their eyes. In all, six men were arrested. Four were arrested on dog fighting charges. Two others face those allegations, plus drug charges. In addition to the dogs, officers of the department's street crimes unit seized 17 grams of cocaine, 32 grams of marijuana, $3,000 and drug packaging materials. All of the dogs recovered in the raid were to be euthanized. County veterinarian Shelly Stevens said the dogs were bred to be aggressive toward other animals and dogs. "They are so closely bred; they are dog- or animal-aggressive. None of them bred for fighting can be adopted." Stevens noted that the dogs aren't necessarily aggressive toward people. Amazingly, about 40 people called the day after the raid, claiming ownership of the dogs. Sheriff's Capt. Steve Jones, Macon County Animal Control and Care Facility administrator, said he told those calling to come down and prove their ownership. "I'll have about a dozen tickets for each of them if they do," he said. Lt. David Dickerson said when officers entered the house, they found two dogs fighting in the basement. "There were 14 others inside the house, and one more dog was found outside in a cage in a vehicle. That dog had been brought to the house to sell." Macon County Animal Control was called to take charge of the dogs. Sheriff Jerry Dawson said the scene was "pretty brutal. Those dogs fight to the death. We want people in the area to know what is going on. Hopefully in the future, we'll be able to identify more of the players and get more enforcement done." Dawson said finding out about such fights is difficult. "If it's going on in the middle of the street, you can see it and do something about it. If it takes a lot of investigation, it may be a lower priority." It's always upsetting to be confronted with the fact that such evil exists right here in our community. But it should also serve as encouragement to citizens to report such wrongdoing. Quite a few people must have known about this particular dog fight, and we assume folks hear about other fights. Responsible citizens will report that information to law enforcement officials so something can be done about it. That's the best way to eliminate this and other criminal activities from our community. Source:http://www.herald-review.com                                    Dog Returned to Man Accused of Training Dogs to Fight/Sep 2, 2006 /A man in Allouez, now charged with training his dogs to fight, is allowed to take his dogs back home. According to a criminal complaint, there were things in Kendall Smith's home consistent with dogs being trained to fight. Sheriff's deputies took custody of the dogs. But we found out the owner got permission to have his dogs back. Wednesday, the district attorney charged the dog's owner with three felony counts of training dogs to fight. When Kendall Smith was arrested in July for allegedly having a concealed weapon, a sheriff deputy went into the home on a 96-degree summer day. "...The stench of urine and excrement was overpowering" he reported. "...He observed two kennels and a wire cage inside of the garage. Inside each of the kennels was a pit bull dog." The complaint says they found a "carpet mill...used to build endurance in fighting dogs," and "a "bite trainer" used to build up the muscles of fighting dogs." Roger Messick at the Bay Area Humane Society picked the dogs up, at the request of the Sheriff deputy, and kept them at the animal shelter. "The adult was very standoffish. That one we didn't handle very much. The others ones we were able to get in, actually pet the dogs, be able to provide some nurturing for them," said Messick. While at the shelter though workers discovered one of the young dogs had parvo, a deadly disease. The Sheriff Department says it's choices were to euthanize the dog, pay to keep it healthy, or give the dogs back to the owner. "At that point in time, Brown County made the decision to go ahead and relinquish the dogs back to the owner," Messick said The Sheriff Department would not talk to us on camera about the decision, and says it was made the decision along with Deputy District Attorney John Luetscher, who's did not return phone calls Thursday. No one answered the door when we went to Kendall Smith's Allouez home, but while we were there, we could hear at least one, adult dog barking from inside the garage. The sheriff department says it is monitoring the situation now the best it can. Smith is scheduled to be in court friday to face charges he is training his dogs to fight. Source:http://www.wbay.com Possible Dog Fighting, Home raided ,8 dogs taken CA                                  Man faces 11 years for allegedly training dogs to fight .WI  Sep 1, 2006- East Oakland Home Raided, 8 Pit Bulls Confiscated-(CBS 5) OAKLAND Animal control officials raided a backyard pit bull breeding operation in East Oakland on Friday and confiscated eight dogs that authorities say were mistreated and used for fighting. A heavily-scarred pit bull is now being treated at the city's animal services facility. Seven others, including 8-week-old puppies, were all confiscated from a home on the 9300 block of Hillside St. The dogs' owner, Mark Hutchinson, 41, was cited for animal cruelty but denied that he used the dogs for fighting. "I've owned pits. My father owned pits. I've never been charged with any kind of animal cruelty," Hutchinson said. "I was not mistreating these dogs at all. My neighbors' kids play with these dogs, and they walk the dogs. I pay them to walk 'em." Amaka Watson with the city's animal services department disputes Hutchinson's claim. "He breeeds. It's very obvious," Watson said. "All the evidence that we have leads us to believe that he's a breeder, and he's a known breeder." Hutchison also violated a new city ordinance that allows a maximum of three dogs in one household. Some of Hutchinson's dogs will be put up for adoption. Most of the others will likely be euthanized. "The dogs that have been used for fighting -- there's no doubt we'll end up having to put them down. Mr. Hutchinson ... basically ruined these dogs," said David Cronin of the animal services department.Source:http://cbs5.com                                    September 3, 2006/Man faces 11 years in prison for allegedly training pit bulls to fight/ GREEN BAY — A 23-year-old Allouez man faces four criminal charges for allegedly training fighting dogs inside his Oakwood Avenue home. Kendale Smith made his initial appearance in Brown County intake court Friday on three felony counts of instigating fights between animals for training and one misdemeanor count of failing to provide proper drink to confined animals. According to the criminal complaint, Brown County Sheriff's deputies were alerted in mid-July that three pit bulls were being kept on Smith's property. Passers-by told deputies they could hear dogs whimpering inside the garage. On July 31, more complaints surfaced about dogs being uncared for in the 96-degree heat. Authorities found two pit bulls kenneled in the garage with no food or water. Deputy John Flannery described the stench of feces and urine in the garage as "overpowering," according to the criminal complaint. A third pit bull was found in the home's basement, chained to a pole and surrounded by feces and puddles of urine, the complaint said. No food or water was found in the area. Smith was being held at the Brown County Jail on an unrelated case at the time the warrant was served. Police found evidence of dog training and fighting, including a treadmill to build the dog's endurance, a bite dummy and scars and marks on all three dogs consistent with wounds suffered during dog fights. Smith is due back in court Sept. 20. If convicted on all four charges, Smith faces up to 11 years behind bars. Source:www.postcrescent.com