Dog-fighting suspected - 6 pit bulls seized
Columbus, OH (US)Incident Date: Sunday, Jul 15, 2007
County: Franklin
Charges: Felony CTA
Disposition: Alleged
Case Images: 3 files available
Alleged: Jamison S. Vickers
Case Updates: 2 update(s) available
Animal control officers seized seriously-injured dogs from an east-side home on Sunday afternoon.
Officers were called to a home on Olney Drive after receiving an anonymous tip and reportedly found six unlicensed pit bulls,two of which were seriously injured.
Animal Control Officer Joe Rock said he can barely stand the sight of the injured pit bulls - two of them suffering from severe wounds and old scars on their faces, bodies and legs.
"Capital Area Humane Society received a call concerning some dogs that looked like they had been in a fight. It appears that was the case. There were a couple dogs (in) pretty bad shape (that) had some injuries," Franklin County Animal Care and Control Cpl. Joe Rock said.
Rock said he can't be certain that the dogs' injuries are the result of organized dog fighting, but that animal abuse is unacceptable.
"Whether it's intentional or not, we don't know. But even to put them in a position where they can get to each other and cause that kind of damage is just irresponsibility," Rock said.
Officials said that the pit bulls, classified as vicious dogs, were seized because they were not properly confined and were not wearing licenses as required by law.
Police said that no one answered the door when officers knocked.
Rock said the pit bulls will be euthanized if the owners don't claim them within three days.
Case UpdatesAfter serving a search warrant, police placed Jameson Vickers under arrest and charged him five counts of animal cruelty. Jamison, who was arraigned on July 19, faces multiple counts related to drug possession, weapons, and animal cruelty.
According to the Humane Society, the dogs removed from the home were scarred and underweight.
Authorities have also reported they recovered a treadmill that was used to exercise the animals, along with drugs that Humane Society agent Jennifer Kulina said are used in dog fighting.
"We found evidence here, along with weapons and drugs," she said. "Medications that are commonly used in dog fighting."
Kulina also said some of the dogs found inside the home could barely walk.
"The wounds were infected, which is extremely painful for the animal," Kulina said. "Obvious fight scars on its legs, chests; they had trouble walking (and) they were trembling."
"It was a very, very sad situation." | Source: 10TV.com - Jul 18, 2007
Update posted on Jul 23, 2007 - 11:17PM |
Officials have charged a Columbus man with dog fighting after removing a number of dogs from his home.
Jamison Vickers was arrested on July 18 and arraigned Thursday morning after six pit bulls were reportedly taken from his Olney Drive home on Sunday.
Police said they are fairly sure Vickers' dogs were used and trained for organized dog fighting. | Source: WCMH - Jul 20, 2007
Update posted on Jul 22, 2007 - 10:28PM |
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