Dog-fighting - 16 dogs seized Beach Park, IL (US) Incident Date: Thursday, May 24, 2007 County: Lake Local Map: available Disposition: Alleged Charges: Felony CTA Case Images: 3 files available Alleged: Anthony L. Brown Case Updates: 1 update(s) available

Case ID: 11461 Classification: Fighting Animal: dog (pit-bull) View more cases in IL (US) Login to Watch this Case

The nondescript house on the 12700 block of Chaplin Street had attracted the attention of neighbors because crowds would gather on certain nights, with cars sporting "fancy rims" lining the street.

What neighbors on the block didn't know was that the house was allegedly being used as a major dog-fighting hub.

The 16 pit bulls taken from a Beach Park home that officials say was being used as a dog-fighting arena are currently in "court custody" according to Lake County Health Department officials.

Spokeswoman Leslie Piotrowski said the health department eventually expects to gain official custody of the animals, and that five puppies appear to be adoptable.

Officials have said the adult dogs had been trained for aggression and are not likely to be candidates for adoption. Piotrowski said it was too early to say whether the adults were likely be euthanized.

When Lake County Sheriff's deputies entered the residence earlier this month with a search warrant following a routine well-being check, the inside of the home spoke volumes.

A foul odor emanated from the door of the house, and things got worse inside. In the basement, police found 16 pit bulls in cages without food or water. The dogs were covered with cuts and scars, and blood was spattered on the walls. A fighting ring and spectator seats were also set up in the basement, according to Sgt. Timothy Jonites of the sheriff's office.

"It was a large-scale, professional dog-fighting operation, one of the largest I've ever heard of or seen," Jonites said.

A felony arrest warrant was issued Tuesday for Anthony L. Brown, 24, who officials said had been renting the house. Brown is wanted on charges of aggravated cruelty to animals, a Class 4 felony, dog fighting, a Class 3 felony, and unlawful possession of a weapon by a felon.

The last charge was based on the discovery by officers of a loaded handgun in the house. Brown was previously convicted on charges of aggravated battery with a weapon in Grayslake, and there is evidence that he is a gang member, Jonites said.

Brown is described as about 5 feet 11 inches tall and 140 pounds with brown hair and green eyes. Anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to contact the sheriff's department at (847) 549-5200. Officials said he should be considered armed and dangerous.

Jonites said it appears that others would bring their dogs to the home to fight Brown's dogs. He said "tools of the trade" were found in the home, including veterinary medicine such as steroids and antibiotics, to make the dogs more aggressive and to treat their wounds.

He also said Brown and other participants took care to shelter the operation from the neighborhood.

"They were never unruly or loud," he said of those who would gather at the home.

"We couldn't understand why there was such a big draw at the house," said one resident who asked not to be identified Wednesday morning. "Why were people coming out to this house? They didn't seem to be partying or drinking beer or anything."

"What we thought was funny was that you got all these people with really nice vehicles and fancy rims," said one neighbor, who also asked not to be named.

"It pisses me off. It really upset me," she said, adding that Brown was occasionally seen walking one dog.

"In order to get all those dogs in, they had to have brought them in at night," she said. "We had a real good neighborhood until this happened."

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References

Lake County News-Sun - May 24, 2007

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