Dog-fighting - 9 dogs seized, one found dead
Melbourne, FL (US)Incident Date: Sunday, Jan 13, 2008
County: Brevard
Disposition: Alleged
Case Images: 8 files available
Alleged: Daniel McRea
Case Updates: 1 update(s) available
Melbourne police have confiscated nine pit bulls from a home Sunday, and put them in protective custody.
An anonymous tip led police to the home. The caller told officers the dogs were used in organized fights.
Police found nine dogs and the grave of a tenth.
Officials said two of the dogs were so badly hurt, there was little question about what happened to them.
"It was getting attacked by another dog. Whether it was intentional or deliberate is still what we need to figure out," said Kevin Early with Brevard Animal Services.
The two seriously injured dogs were treated at a local veterinary clinic. The other seven remained at the South Brevard Animal Shelter.
Officials said their investigation was focused on animal cruelty, but it could turn to dogfighting if evidence was found.
The dogs' owner has been given several citations, including a few for neglect.
Case UpdatesAnimal control officers in Melbourne said they confiscated nearly one dozen pit bulls over the weekend that were suffering from neglect. Authorities said they also found items associated with dogfighting.
Investigators said there wasn't enough probable cause to arrest the man caring for the dogs.
Melbourne police were called to the home on Brothers Street after one of the animals was mauled to death.
Daniel McRea said he was not raising the dogs for fighting.
"I got other people's dogs here, too. I breed them. That's what I do," McRea said.
McRea is facing $1,500 in fines for animal neglect. | Source: WESH - Jan 14, 2008
Update posted on Jan 14, 2008 - 10:03PM |
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