Dog-fighting caught on video
Houston, TX (US)Incident Date: Saturday, Sep 30, 2006
County: Harris
Disposition: Alleged
Alleged:
» juvenile abuser name unreleased
» Derrick Criswell
Some disturbing video of dogfights in Houston has led authorities to try to find people who are heard and seen on tape.
It is video so disturbing that investigators could barely stand to watch it.
Pitbull dogs brought together to fight until one of them dies. The other dog survives but is badly injured and bleeding.
"And a couple of times the dogs wanted to stop fighting and they wouldn't let them stop," said Harris County Assistant District Attorney Belinda Smith.
Prosecutors say officers seized this video during a drug bust in the fall. They have reportedly identified four of the particpants. Two people identified on the tape including a juvenile have been arrested. More arrests are expected.
Investigators say many of those involved live with their dogs in southwest Houston. They stage the violent dog fights nearby in a wooded field.
21-year old Derrick Criswell has been charged with engaging in dog fighting.
A Harris County judge has formally charged Criswell with dog fighting. Criswell pleaded not guilty and will head back to court on July 31.
"Law enforcement wants to investigate these cases and the District Attorney's Office will prosecute these cases," Belinda Smith of the Harris County District Attorney's Office said.
"We will aggressively prosecute these cases and we want the public to report these incidences to law enforcement."
"What was particularly disturbing was these individuals are very young and I think a lot of their role models like Michael Vick, they emulate those individuals," said Smith. References« TX State Animal Cruelty Map
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