Case Details

Breeding operation - fighting suspected, 52 seized
Chaparral, NM (US)

Incident Date: Friday, Aug 17, 2007
County: Dona Ana
Local Map: available
Disposition: Alleged

Alleged:
» Duryea Scott
» Daron Scott

Case Updates: 1 update(s) available

Case ID: 12085
Classification: Fighting, Neglect / Abandonment
Animal: dog (pit-bull)
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The Dona Ana County Animal Shelter is seeking foster and adoption homes for 52 pit bulls that authorities suspect were part of a breeding operation for dog fighting.

The animals were seized Friday from two properties, one in Chaparral, New Mexico and one in El Paso, Texas. The owners � brothers Duryea Scott and Daron Scott, both 48 of El Paso - are considered suspects, but no charges have been filed.

Daron Scott is a teacher at Santa Teresa High School, while Duryea Scott is employed at White Sands Missile Range, authorities said.

Dona Ana County Sheriff's Department investigator Bo Nevarez said the investigation is moving slower than usual because of jurisdictional matters that must be resolved. In addition, he said, authorities are processing evidence.

"The reason it's ongoing is because we're talking about crossing the state line," he said. "There are multiple agencies involved, and we're looking at who is going to handle what and where."

Nevarez said there's a possibility federal authorities will join the investigation because of the jurisdiction issues.

Animal Control investigator Robyn Gojkovich said authorities found one dog that had died of dehydration. Most others aren't in bad physical condition, she said, though some have behavior problems that stem from how they were treated. "Some of them are pretty skittish," she said.

"Some of them have trust issues; some are very dog-aggressive. There were a couple that were very dehydrated, and there are two mothers that are very emaciated."

Gojkovich said the some animals show signs of having been used for fighting.

"The dogs had scars and marks on their ears, their face, their legs, their hips," she said.

Gojkovich said a tip about dogs in poor conditions first took authorities to the Chaparral, New Mexico property, which in turn led them to the El Paso, Texas property. She said the Scotts didn't live at either location.

Under state law, using dogs for fights is a fourth degree felony with a possible sentence of up to 18 months in jail.

Case Updates

The county's latest case of animal abuse and hoarding will result in charges being filed against Daron Scott and Duryea Scott, according to a press release issued by the Do�a Ana County Sheriff's Office on Tuesday morning.

"The Scott brothers' arrest is forthcoming," Sheriff's investigator Bo Nevarez said in the release.

Exactly what charges will be leveled, or when, remains uncertain.

Earlier this month, Daron Scott and Duryea Scott, both 48 of El Paso, were named as suspects in an interstate and international operation allegedly devoted to breeding, training and fighting pit bulls. But bringing justice to such a large operation takes time, Nevarez said.

"The state of New Mexico has never attempted to charge and prosecute a case of this magnitude, consisting of the transporting of animals across state and international boundaries, with the sole purpose of fighting those animals for entertainment, gambling, breeding, buying and selling, as well as the discovery of training equipment for that purpose," Nevarez said in a news release Tuesday.

He also said other individuals are likely involved in the ring.

Daron Scott is a teacher at Santa Teresa High School, while Duryea Scott is employed at White Sands Missile Range, authorities said. The animals, seized by DASO, were taken to the county's animal shelter, and six have already been adopted, officials said. The remainder are being held by court order until the case moves forward. Several families have inquired about fostering the animals, shelter officials said.

The operation came to light earlier this month when the 52 pit bulls were taken from homes in Chaparral and El Paso. Both properties are owned by the Scotts.

Nevarez said the charges would soon be leveled, but the investigation is taking longer than normal because of the number of agencies involved.

As of Tuesday, Nevarez said no word had been received from federal authorities regarding the case.

Investigating the scene, animal control officer Robyn Gojkovich said authorities found one dog that died of dehydration.
Source: Las Cruces Sun - Aug 24, 2007
Update posted on Aug 24, 2007 - 9:57PM 

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References

Las Cruces Sun - Aug 17, 2007

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