Pet-Abuse.Com - Animal Abuse Case Details: Dog-fighting - 9 pit bulls, one other dog seized

Dog-fighting - 9 pit bulls, one other dog seized
Lynn Haven, FL (US)

Incident Date: Tuesday, Jan 31, 2006
County: Bay
Local Map: available
Disposition: Alleged
Charges: Misdemeanor, Felony CTA

Alleged: Claude Cook

Upcoming Court Dates:
» Friday, Oct 12, 2007: trial

Case Updates: 2 update(s) available

Case ID: 11965

Classification: Fighting, Neglect / Abandonment

Animal: dog (non pit-bull), dog (pit-bull)

View more cases in FL (US)

Nine pit bulls and a German Shepherd, were found in February 2006 while their owner, Claude Cook, awaits trial on dogfighting charges.

Photographs taken at the scene show holding pens, bottles of steroids and antibiotics, and an animal carcass no one could identify. In one picture, an officer holds a gnawed stick stained red.

Police responded to Cook�s residence after neighbors reported loud barking and a stench. What they found prompted multiple dog fighting-related charges.

Cook said he is innocent of the charges. The scale, syringes and wound care medicine at the scene might look bad, Cook said, but he insisted he was breeding the dogs. The police report quoted him as saying he does not ask the eventual owners what their plans are for the dogs after he breeds them.

Of the 10 dogs taken from Cook�s backyard, Lynn Haven�s Animal Control Supervisor Ramona Bibbs thinks maybe four of them are adoptable.

After Cook�s Aug. 24 trial date, a judge will make the final call on the dogs' fates.

Case Updates

Claude Cook�s trial on dog fighting charges was postponed Monday until next month. Cook, 38, of Lynn Haven, is charged with ten counts each of fighting or baiting animals, cruelty to animals and confinement with neglect of animals. The first two counts are felonies and he faces more than 50 years in prison if convicted as charged.

In February 2006, police responded to a noise complaint and said they found a hidden pen in Cook�s backyard with 10 dogs, nine pit bull terriers and a German shepherd. Officers also said they found steroids, syringes and bite sticks.

Source: News Herald - Sept 17, 2007
Update posted on Sep 17, 2007 - 8:16PM

Back to Top

A trial for a Lynn Haven man accused of training dogs to fight is now set for Sept. 14.

Claude Cook was set to go to trial August 24 on various charges related to dog fighting.

In February 2006, Lynn Haven police responded to noise complaints and found a hidden pen in Cook�s backyard containing 10 dogs � nine American pit bull terriers and one German shepherd.

Cook maintains he was only training the dogs. Officers reported finding steroids, syringes and �bite sticks� at the scene, said Ramona Bibbs, Lynn Haven Animal Control supervisor.

Jury selection is scheduled for Sept. 14, with the trial to follow the next week, said Joe Grammer, State Attorney�s Office spokesman.

Source: EmeraldCoast.com - Aug 18, 2007
Update posted on Aug 19, 2007 - 5:58PM

Back to Top

Neighborhood Map

For more information about the Interactive Animal Cruelty Maps, see the map notes.

Add this case to:

Del.icio.us

Digg

Furl

References

Hews-Herald - Aug 9, 2007

« FL State Animal Cruelty Map

Not sure what these icons mean? Click here.

Note: Classifications and other fields should not be used to determine what specific charges the suspect is facing or was convicted of - they are for research and statistical purposes only. The case report and subsequent updates outline the specific charges. Charges referenced in the original case report may be modified throughout the course of the investigation or trial, so case updates, when available, should always be considered the most accurate reflection of charges.

For more information regarding classifications and usage of this database, please visit the database notes and disclaimer.

Site Map ¤ Disclaimer ¤ Privacy Policy

Dog-fighting - 9 pit bulls, one other dog seizedLynn Haven, FL (US)

Case Updates

Neighborhood Map

References

Dog-fighting - 9 pit bulls, one other dog seized
Lynn Haven, FL (US)