Authorities raided two homes in Columbus in connection with an alleged dog fighting ring on Nov 22. Franklin County Sheriff's deputies shot wooden pellets through windows at homes on Atwood Terrace and Bancroft Street before entering at about 10 a.m.
Deputies said 10 pitbulls were removed from the home on Atwood Terrance and 21 pitbulls were removed from the home on Bancroft Street. Officials also said a dead puppy was found in the home on Bancroft Street.
One of the dogs removed from the Bancroft Street home had such severe injuries that it required emergency treatment at the scene.
Humane society agents said the dogs had displayed signs of fighting, including swollen legs and bloody scars on their faces.
The Franklin County dog warden said he witnessed signs of fighting on the dogs, including old scars.
A neighbor said she saw a lot of dogs in the back yard and was shocked when she saw SWAT teams firing shots inside her neighbor's house.
"I heard this, 'Boom, boom.' And then I could feel the house shaking and it scared me," a neighbor said. "He raises dogs. He raises (pitbulls). He's got a whole bunch of them in the back yard. We cannot even eat in the back yard anymore. We used to cook out but the odor is so strong."
Paul Dean, the owner of the Atwood Terrace location, and the owner of the Bancroft Street home, Paul Siders Jr., were arrested. Deputies said the men each face animal cruelty charges. Case UpdatesThe trial for accused dog-fighters Paul A. Siders, Lawrence J. Dean, and Mandy N. Rife is scheduled to begin on July 31, 2007 at 9:00 a.m. in Courtroom 6C of the Franklin County Courthouse in Columbus. All face felony charges.
Siders has been charged with dog-fighting, drug possession, possession of criminal tools, and tampering with evidence.
Dean has been charged with dog-fighting, drug possession, drug trafficking, and possession of criminal tools.
Rife faces felony dog-fighting charges.
The charges stem from November 22, 2006, when authorities raided two homes in Columbus in connection with an alleged dog fighting ring.
Deputies said 10 pit bulls were removed from a home on Atwood Terrance and 21 pit bulls were removed from a home on Bancroft Street.
Officials also said a dead puppy was found in the home on Bancroft Street.
One of the dogs removed from the Bancroft Street home had such severe injuries that it required emergency treatment at the scene.
Humane society agents said the dogs displayed signs of fighting, including swollen legs and bloody scars on their faces. | Source: Case #'s 07-CR-3135, 3136, and 3137
Update posted on Jun 6, 2007 - 2:08PM |
| Jury trial for Lawrence J. Dean is set to begin January 16, 2007 at 9:00 a.m., at the Franklin County Courthouse, located at 373 S. High St., Columbus, OH 43215. Paul A. Siders will next appear in court for a pre-trial conference on January 31, 2007 at 10:00 a.m. at the same location. | Source: Docket # 2006-ER-B-075795 and 075797
Update posted on Jan 4, 2007 - 8:33PM |
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