Dog-fighting - 10 dogs seized Montegut, LA (US) Incident Date: Sunday, Mar 25, 2007 County: Lafourche Local Map: available Disposition: Alleged Charges: Felony CTA Alleged: » Rolando Cuevas, Jr. » Margaret B. Verdin

Case ID: 11420 Classification: Fighting Animal: dog (pit-bull) View more cases in LA (US) Login to Watch this Case

Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre reported the arrest of two individuals on Sunday, March 25, 2007, who were charged with Dog fighting training and related charges.

In response to a call about dogs being fought, Deputy Dayshawn Green was dispatched to 3971 Oak Point Road in Montegut, La. on Sunday evening, March 25th. Upon arrival the deputy observed several subjects standing near a boxed in area containing a white male with two dogs at the back of a residence. When the subjects saw the deputy approach, they ran in several directions. One of the subjects nearest the box where pit bulls were fighting was apprehended and identified as Rolando Cuevas, Jr., age 24, of 122 Cypress Court, Montegut, La.

The deputy observed that Cuevas had blood spots on the collar of his shirt and on his shoes. He was detained in the rear of a police unit. The deputy also observed two cages in the back of a 2005 Ford truck parked across the road. One cage contained a very badly injured brindle pit bulldog with cut marks on his face and paw. Mr. Cuevas advised the truck was his but not the dog.

As Deputy Green was talking to Mr. Cuevas, a female identified as Margaret B. Verdin, age 47, of 3971 Oak Point Road, Montegut, La., came out of the residence to see what was going on. She said she was asleep and did not know what was happening. When asked about the seven pit bulldogs on chains in her back yard she said they belonged to her son but would nor give his name. One of the dogs appeared to have fresh injuries to the mouth and nose area to indicate he had been in a fight.

A concerned citizen told deputies there was a video camera placed under the rear of the house used in filming the dog fights. The camera and film was retrieved and Rolando Cuevas, Jr. was seen on the video in the middle of the boxed in area using a break stick on a brindle pit bull which was fighting against another pit bull dog. The camera and film was logged into evidence. The two injured pit bulls were picked up by a Lafourche Parish Animal Control officer and placed in the animal shelter.

Both Cuevas and Verdin were placed under arrest and transported to the Lafourche Parish Detention Center in Thibodaux where they were booked on the following charges:

Rolando Cuevas, Jr. was charged with Dog Fighting Training and Possession of Dogs for Fighting; Seizure and Disposition of animals cruelty treated; Seizure and Destruction or disposition of dogs and equipment used in dog fighting; and Cruelty to Animals, Aggravated. The maximum penalty on each charge is 10 years in prison and up to $25,000 in fines.

Margaret B. Verdin was charged with Dog Fighting Training and Possession of Dogs for Fighting; Seizure and Disposition of Animals Cruelty Treated; and Seizure and Destruction or Disposition of dogs and equipment used in dog fighting. Same penalties apply. Neither subject had a criminal record.

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References

HTV 10 - March 29, 2007

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