Dog-fighting - 40 to 50 people attending Enfield, NC (US) Incident Date: Friday, Feb 17, 2006 County: Halifax Local Map: available Disposition: Dismissed (Conditional) Charges: Felony CTA Persons of Interest: » Derek Vernard Terry » Bryan Lee Bartholomew Case Updates: 2 update(s) available

Case ID: 10155 Classification: Fighting Animal: dog (pit-bull) View more cases in NC (US) Drugs or alcohol involved Login to Watch this Case

A Halifax County Sheriff's Office deputy, acting on a tip from a neighboring law enforcement agency, busted up what appeared to be a large-scale dogfighting event on the night of Feb 17.

Deputy Tim Harris was following up on a tip from the Nash County Sheriff's Office that a dogfight was to take place at 8 p.m., at 4888 Fishing Creek Road in Enfield, Detective Bobby Martin told the Daily Herald.

When Harris arrived at the home, he saw nothing at first, but when he went around to the back he found 40 to 50 people standing around a wooden ring. One dog, a pit bull, was inside the ring. The walls of the ring were �covered in blood� and it looked as if some fights had already taken place, Martin said.

The people scattered when Harris arrived. The dog owners apparently fled into the nearby woods and others jumped into their vehicles and drove away.

Deputies also found three pit bulls, one was bleeding from a wound to its tail, in two SUVs that had apparently been abandoned when their owners ran. Animal Control was called and the dogs were extracted from the vehicles and taken to the animal shelter.

Near the ring, Harris found a scale, first-aid medication, saline packs and other medical supplies.

Harris was able to arrest one man, Derek Bernard Taylor, 33, of Rocky Mount, who ran at first, but later returned to the scene.

Taylor, a salesman at a Rocky Mount automotive dealership, was actually driving a vehicle with dealer tags, Martin said. He claimed he was only on the property to sell a truck. He was charged with participating in a dogfight, which is a felony.

The property owner, Bryan Lee Bartholomew, 24, was also charged with facilitating a dogfight. Martin said the fighting ring had lights set up by it and a electric cord led from Bartholomew's mobile home.

After receiving his permission, Harris searched the home looking to find some sort of video or other indication of his involvement in the fight. A video was not located, but Harris did find bloodline papers and pedigree information. He also discovered seven ounces of marijuana that had apparently been prepackaged into smaller bags, presumably to be sold.

Bartholomew was charged with possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of marijuana with intent to sell and deliver and maintaining a dwelling for the manufacturing or sale of marijuana. He was also charged with possession of stolen property after it was discovered that a 2003 motorcycle in his yard had been stolen from Wilson. Police are still investigating if other items on Bartholomew's property were stolen.

Both men were taken to the Halifax County Detention Center. Terry was held under a $2,000 secured bond and his court date is scheduled for March 21. Bartholomew was held on a $18,000 secured bond and his court date is scheduled for March 29.

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Daily Herald - Feb 19, 2006

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