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Case ID: 11310
Classification: Fighting
Animal: dog (pit-bull)
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CONVICTED: Was justice served?

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Case #11310 Rating: 3.6 out of 5



Dog-fighting - 8 dogs seized
Spokane, WA (US)

Incident Date: Tuesday, Apr 24, 2007
County: Spokane

Charges: Felony CTA
Disposition: Convicted
Case Images: 1 files available

Defendants/Suspects:
» Peter S. Nelson
» Alfredo L. Renteria

Case Updates: 8 update(s) available

The Spokane County Sheriff's Office raided a Spokane Valley home early Tuesday and discovered an illegal dog kennel they believe might be tied to unlawful dog fights and gambling.

Spokane County Regional Animal Protection Service (SCRAPS) officers and Washington State Gambling investigators raided the home on the 8,000 Block of East Utah Avenue with the assistance of the sheriff's property crimes task force and a limited number of SWAT-trained entry deputies.

A loaded Glock semi-automatic pistol was found just inside the entryway when the deputies raided the residence about 7 a.m.

The lone occupant at the time, 24-year-old Peter S. Nelson, was quickly detained on charges of operating the illegal kennel. A second suspect, 25-year-old Alfredo L. Renteria, was not present at the time of the raid, but probable cause exists for his arrest as well.

Washington State Gambling investigators assisted in the case because of a tip they received in 2004 that the two suspects were using pit bulls in illegal dog fights where participants were taking bets on the outcomes.

Eight pit bulls were found either tethered with heavy metal chains or caged in the home's backyard. Only two dogs were licensed to the suspects.


Case Updates

Four intruders broke into the Spokane County Regional Animal Protection Service over Memorial Day weekend, stealing three pit bulls, including Chewie, a pit bull that had been kept at the shelter for more than a year as evidence in a felony dogfighting trial.

A resident noticed a suspicious car near the shelter Sunday, and sheriff's deputies responded. They found a gray Oldsmobile parked across from the shelter at 2521 N. Flora Road around 10:20 p.m.

When they approached the car, they saw a dog crate in the back seat stenciled "Spokane County." Chewie was inside.

The law enforcement officers discovered that the car's four occupants had "been commissioned to steal pit bulls for a suspect who planned on using them in fights," according to a Spokane County Sheriff's Office news release.

One of the pit bulls from Saturday night's heist was delivered to that suspect, who was not identified by police; the other was found running loose in Spokane Valley and was returned to SCRAPS the next day. Those dogs were not from the Great Eight pack.

Sheriff's deputies arrested and booked the four suspects for two counts each of second-degree burglary.

One was a 16-year old who was booked into the county's juvenile detention center.

The adults were booked into the Spokane County Jail

An investigation into the theft is continuing, said SCRAPS director Nancy Hill.

"In my opinion, someone was stealing these dogs for street fighting. We are thrilled that the Spokane Valley deputies responded so fast," Hill said.

Hill said it's unlikely that the pit bull heist is related to last year's discovery of an organized dogfighting ring in the Spokane Valley that led to the state's first dogfighting convictions. Peter Nelson and Alfredo Renteria were both recently sentenced to eight months in jail for animal fighting, a Class C felony.

Meanwhile, SCRAPS is imposing an early June deadline to decide the fate of the Great Eight. They could be euthanized.

An Illinois dog sanctuary contacted SCRAPS this week about possibly taking some of the animals, Hill said.

But other animal sanctuaries are full, and the dogs are not suited to be placed with families.

"Every avenue has reached a dead end. We can only put so many resources into this," Hill said.

"These dogs are victims, but they are taking up room. It's not a perfect world," she added.
Source: Seattle Times - May 29, 2008
Update posted on Jun 3, 2008 - 8:53PM 
Cindy Taskila, kennel manager, dog whisperer and treat lady, is greeted by the eight excited pit bulls kept in kennels for the past year at the Spokane County Regional Animal Protection Service (SCRAPS).

Chewie, a dogfight veteran, leaps 4 feet in the air as he greets her. Rita, her shy favorite, rolls her eyes and climbs into Taskila's lap.
Despite this happy scene, it's SOS time for these dogs, dubbed the "Great Eight" by animal-welfare advocates trying to find homes for the pit bulls, seized last year in the Spokane Valley as evidence in a high-profile case that led to the first dogfighting convictions in Spokane County and Washington state.

"We don't want these animals put to sleep. We've bonded with them," said SCRAPS animal-control officer Nicole Montano as she watched Taskila talk to the dogs and pet them.

Spokane County Superior Court Judge Tari Eitzen ordered the dogs kept alive during the trial of Peter Nelson and Alfredo Renteria, convicted in February of animal fighting, a Class C felony, and keeping an illegal kennel in the Spokane Valley. Each was sentenced to eight months in jail.

With the trial over, the court recently ordered the dogs relinquished to SCRAPS, which is trying to place them somewhere outside the Inland Northwest for fear they might once again end up in local dogfighting circles.

"We are looking for proper long-term placement for these dogs to live out their natural lives," said Patricia Simonet, SCRAPS' assistant director and an animal behaviorist.

Callie, Chewie, Fatty, Rita, Zeta and Gorda are the adults. Montano named the youngest dogs, now 20 months old, Justice and Hope. They were too young to train for dogfights when they were seized in April 2007.

Some of the older dogs have scars and aggression problems from being forced to fight, but most could be rehabilitated with proper care, according to a SCRAPS report produced for the court.

A leading animal-welfare activist agrees.

"My belief is they are the innocent victims of criminals," said Sherry Woodard, a trainer and animal-behavior consultant for Best Friends, a Utah animal sanctuary. Woodard reviewed a SCRAPS video of the dogs and is joining in the effort to find them homes.

But where can pit bulls trained in the dogfighting underworld be placed?

Although friendly, they aren't housebroken and have never lived in a house, said Simonet, who evaluated the dogs with Taskila. "These are not typical dogs," Simonet added.

The adults are "dog aggressive" as a result of their past, according to the SCRAPS report. The worst case: Chewie, the only male, after a year still exhibits "fear aggression" toward dogs and many people. Justice and Hope are friendly to people and animals alike.

Spindletop Refuge in Willis, Texas, initially agreed to take all eight dogs but backed out when they had several dogs returned, said Simonet.

According to Bad Rap, a California group with expertise in pit-bull rehabilitation and placement, behavior testing conducted by SCRAPS shows most of the Spokane dogs scored promisingly well on human interaction - but not as well as the average dog during "dog-to-dog greeting."

Best Friends, a Kanab, Utah, animal sanctuary on 33,000 acres, is disseminating news about the Spokane dogs' need for new homes on its Web site. The group hailed the conviction of Nelson and Renteria, calling SCRAPS and the dogs "heroes in the animal-welfare movement."
Woodard, of Best Friends, has worked with pit bulls rescued from Hurricane Katrina and with the so-called "Vicktory Dogs," 23 pit bulls seized from Michael Vick, a former Atlanta Falcons football player serving a prison sentence for operating a dogfighting ring.

The Utah shelter has no room because, in addition to the Vick dogs, it has about 60 discarded pit bulls and pit-bull mixes, Woodard said.
Source: Seattle Times - May 20, 2008
Update posted on May 22, 2008 - 2:32PM 
Superior Court Judge Tari Eitzen has recommended that two men convicted of running a dogfighting ring in Spokane Valley get sentenced to work release instead of jail time.

Peter Nelson and Alfredo Renteria were recommended Thursday to serve eight months of work release and home monitoring instead of jail time. The recommended sentence translates to one month for each dog involved in the case and Judge Eitzen is leaving it up to the Geiger Correctional Facility to determine whether or not Nelson and Renteria serve their time on work release or in jail.

Two issues remains unresolved with the sentencing and that's the fate of the eight Pit Bulls that were taken in by SCRAPS, which has housed and cared for the dogs since they were seized on April 24, 2007 and whether or not Nelson and Renteria will have to reimburse SCRAPS for taking care of the dogs.

For the past 11 months the dogs have been living at SCRAPS, and director Nancy Hill is asking the court for custody of the Pit Bulls in the hopes of giving them a second chance at life whether it be in a home or at a national rescue shelter.

"A lot of national groups have learned from the Michael Vick case," Hill said Thursday. "Those dogs are in sanctuaries or rescues now. They say there's hope in many cases so we're clinging to that."

Hill says a hearing for restitution as well as the fate of each dog should happen in two to three weeks.

Nelson and Renteria's convictions on dog fighting charges are a first in Spokane County and Nancy Hill added her hopes that it's also the last.
Source: KXLY - March 27, 2008
Update posted on Mar 31, 2008 - 12:07AM 
A Spokane County jury has reached a split verdict in the trial of two men charged with running an illegal dogfighting ring in Spokane Valley.

SCRAPS Agents take a dog from an illegal kennel operation believed to be tied to dog fighting.

Peter Nelson and Alfredo Renteria were both convicted of animal fighting and operating a private kennel. The animal fighting charge is a felony. However, jurors acquitted both on charges of transporting animals in an unsafe manner. Renteria was also found not guilty on animal cruelty charges.

The suspects were arrested last spring, when investigators raided a home on the 8000 block of East Utah. Eight pit bulls were found on the property either tethered with heavy metal chains or caged in the backyard. Detectives say chains are used as tethers to build stamina in the animals for fighting.

Nelson and Renteria face up to a year in jail and a number of fines. They'll be sentenced next month.

SCRAPS tells KREM 2 News the court still has to decide who gets custody of the dogs.
Source: KREM - Feb 22, 2008
Update posted on Feb 22, 2008 - 6:09PM 
A Spokane defense attorney was told he needed to bring a note from his doctor if he wanted to delay the start of a trial for a pair of men suspected of training dogs in illegal fighting rings. That hadn't happened by Tuesday afternoon, so the presiding judge demanded the trial commence despite the defense attorney calling in sick.

On Tuesday morning, Judge Mike Price ordered Matt Harget to get a sworn statement from his physician stating that Harget was too ill to perform his duties. Harget is representing Peter Nelson, a Spokane Valley man arrested on animal cruelty and dog fighting charges back in April.

Since that time, Harget has repeatedly filed motions to continue the trial, citing his very large case load and late breaking changes in the case.

However, Deputy Prosecutor Steve Garvin told the court the delays are costing tax payers thousands of dollars.

Garvin says that keeping the alleged fighting dogs in a regional kennel costs $48 dollars a day and the bill - which will eventually be paid by the county - will exceed $10,000.

Nancy Hill, director of S.C.R.A.P.S, says the dogs are also taking up space that other adoptable pets could be using, adding that many stray dogs are being put down instead of having a chance at finding a new family.

Taking all this under consideration, Judge Price ordered Harget to produce a note, signed by his doctor under the penalty of perjury, by 12:30 p.m. Before making that decision, Judge Price added that he was "very disturbed by what's going on with this case," citing frustration in the many delays that had been experienced.

Tuesday afternoon, Judge Price again addressed the courtroom with an update on the situation. He said that, as of 1:30 p.m., no correspondence had been received by Harget.

"Consequently," he stated, "the court is directing counsel to report to ... court for the trial to commence in these matters at 2 p.m."

Harget reportedly could not get an appointment to see his doctor until late Tuesday afternoon. It's known if he got a note from his doctor, but either Harget - or his sworn excuse - will need to show up in court Wednesday morning or he could get held in contempt and this trial could get delayed until after the holidays.

Meanwhile prospective jurors were being paid Monday and Tuesday to standby as they were waiting for the trial to get underway.
Source: KXLY - Dec 3, 2007
Update posted on Dec 5, 2007 - 12:52PM 
The trial against two alleged dog-fighters has been postponed to December.

Peter Nelson and Alfredo Renteria face felony animal cruelty and dog-fighting charges stemming from April, when SCRAPS officers reportedly seized eight injured dogs from Nelson's home. The animals were found kept in cages or tethered with heavy chains. A loaded Glock semi-automatic pistol was also found at the scene.

The two are now scheduled for trial on December 3, 2007 in Spokane Superior Court.
Source: Case # 07-1-01590-7
Update posted on Sep 25, 2007 - 5:22PM 
On July 26, Spokane Animal Control asked a judge to allow them to euthanize 8 pit bulls seized from suspected dog-fighters.

Experts say the dogs are unadoptable, and they are taking up space they need for other animals.

The judge denied the request because the dogs are considered evidence in the case against their owners.

In April, SCRAPS seized the dogs, some of which were suffering injuries such as split ears and severe skin conditions. The animals were found kept in cages or tethered with heavy chains.

Peter Nelson and Alfredo Renteria face felony animal cruelty and dog-fighting charges, and are scheduled for trial on September 24, 2007.
Source: KREM.com Jul 26, 2007
Update posted on Jul 31, 2007 - 3:48PM 
"This is kind of new ground here," Nancy Hill, director of Spokane County Regional Animal Protection Service, said regarding the April 24 raid on a suspected dog-fighting operation.

"It's a sad day for Spokane County."

Deputies arrested Peter S. Nelson, 24, but are still looking for Alfredo L. Renteria, 25.

Possible charges include confining animals in an unsafe manner, operating an illegal kennel, animal cruelty, dogs used as bait and animal fighting. Engaging in dogfighting is a class C felony.

The dogs were caged or restrained with heavy chains during the search conducted by SCRAPS, the county sheriff's office and an agent with the state Gambling Commission.

"The dogs are pretty lean. It looks like they've been conditioned. They have wounds and scars. One has sutures on its chest," reported an investigator. Medications and other paraphernalia associated with dog fighting were also allegedly found.

The sheriff's office said the Gambling Commission received a tip about betting on dogfights arranged by the Spokane Valley operation as early as 2004. The investigation stalled because agents could not document the operation at the time, Gambling Commission spokeswoman Susan Arland said.

SCRAPS officials reportedly began investigating the home after concerned neighbors called, saying they had heard the dogs crying in pain.
Source: Seattle Post Intelligencier - Apr 25, 2007
Update posted on Apr 26, 2007 - 11:43AM 

References

  • KQH - Apr 24, 2007
  • « WA State Animal Cruelty Map
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