A Franklin County Sheriff's SWAT team and Columbus police seized eight dogs from Performance Plus Auto Body on E. Hudson Street -- all Rottweilers or pit bulls. Two dogs were treated at an animal clinic for injuries. The dogs were taken to the Franklin County Animal Shelter.
Forty-one people - almost half from as far away as Alabama, Maryland, New York and Virginia - were arrested and charged with dogfighting. All are in the Franklin County jail and will be arraigned Tuesday. Six youths at the dogfight were released to relatives.
Also seized were drugs, handguns and $25,000.
Performance Plus Auto Body allegedly reeked of dogs. It had a blood-splattered, plywood fight pit near the glass front door. About a dozen empty beer bottles were scattered around the fight pit.
Auto parts were littered throughout the business. Two cars were parked inside. On a closet floor were a pile of ropes knotted at one end and covered with chewed duct tape.
A man who identified himself as the roommate of the body shop's owner said that after the raid the business was left unlocked overnight. He said two computers and a TV were stolen, and three vehicles parked outside had windows broken.
Promoting or participating in dogfighting in Ohio is a fourth-degree felony, punishable by up to 18 months in prison and a fine of up to $2,500. Dogfighting is illegal in all 50 states. Neighborhood MapFor more information about the Interactive Animal Cruelty Maps, see the map notes.
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