Case Details

Dog fighting
Port Republic, VA (US)

Incident Date: Thursday, Mar 20, 2003
County: Rockingham
Local Map: available
Disposition: Convicted
Charges: Felony CTA

Abusers/Suspects:
» Melvin Gary Stamper
» Jacob Trenton Stamper - Dismissed

Case Updates: 1 update(s) available

Case ID: 1090
Classification: Fighting
Animal: dog (pit-bull)
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Police are investigating a suspected dog-fighting ring and a magistrate has issued an arrest warrant for a third suspect. Police did not want to release that person's name until he is arrested.

Melvin Gary Stamper, 48, was charged with four counts of organized dogfighting and his son Jacob Trenton Stamper, 24, was charged with one count of dogfighting. Dogfighting is a felony carrying a potential sentence of up to five years.

The dogs were taken to the SPCA. Melvin Stamper is charged with three counts of felony organized dog fighting. His son Jacob faces one count. Police are still looking for a third person involved in the case.

Deputies found out about the dogfights while responding to a domestic call in Port Republic. The juvenile who lived at the home had a dog that he said was taken from him and used in dog fights, said Sgt. Felicia Glick of the Rockingham County sheriff�s office. Glick did not want to discuss the details of the juvenile�s case or release his name. The juvenile was not arrested. After police questioned him, he took his dog to the vet for treatment.

Using information from interviews with the juvenile and other sources, deputies obtained a search warrant for Stampers� house. While there, they found nine pit bulls that looked like they had been in dogfights, Glick said. The dogs were not severely injured � they didn�t need veterinary care � but had lacerations consistent with dogfights. The dogfights were held in Port Republic at the Stampers� house, Glick said. People gambled on the fights, Glick added.

Investigators also found equipment they believe is used to train the dogs, including a treadmill, Glick said. Authorities sent blood samples from that equipment to a state lab for analysis, Glick said.

A�magistrate released Jacob Stamper. His father was being held on a $7,500 bond at Rockingham County Jail.

Case Updates

According to court records, Melvin Gary Stamper pled guilty to 3 felony counts of dog-fighting on August 29, 2003 in Rockingham County Circuit Court. An additional 6 counts were dismissed. A five-year penitentiary sentence was suspended. Stamper was placed on 3 years supervised probation and ordered to serve 90 days in jail.

After several court continuances, the charges against Jacob Stamper were dismissed on August 16, 2004.

On October 6, 2005, records indicate that probation violations were filed on all three of Melvin Stamper�s cases. On December 19, 2005, Stamper was sent to state prison for three years.
Source: Case #'s CR030283-00-00, 01-00, and 03-00
Update posted on Apr 29, 2007 - 8:04PM 

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References

WHSV-TV
Daily News Record- Valley Virginia section

« VA State Animal Cruelty Map

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