 Dog-fighting, breeding fighting dogs
East Oakland, CA (US)Incident Date: Friday, Sep 1, 2006
County: Alameda
Local Map: available
Disposition: Alleged
Charges: Misdemeanor
Alleged: Mark Hutchinson
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Animal control officials raided a backyard pit bull breeding operation in East Oakland on Sept 1 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 breeds. 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. Neighborhood MapFor more information about the Interactive Animal Cruelty Maps, see the map notes.
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