Dog-fighting
Chicago, IL (US)Incident Date: Thursday, Jan 17, 2008
County: Lake
Disposition: Alleged
Abuser names unreleased
A possible dog fighting operation was discovered after a report of a fire at a West Side home early Thursday.
As of 11:45 a.m. Thursday, the city Department of Animal Care and Control has custody of seven dogs and an Amazon parrot found in the basement of a home, according to Animal Care and Control Operations Manager Mark Rosenthal.
Fire crews responded to a report of a fire at 3417 W. Harrison St. about 5:30 a.m. Thursday and found a small fire that was quickly extinguished, according to Fire Media Affairs spokesman Richard Rosado.
After the fire was out, authorities found "numerous dogs" in the basement, according to News Affairs Officer Laura Kubiak.
The dogs -- four pit bull mixes, one great Dane, one Mastiff and one smaller dog of unknown breed -- were being held in "plastic kennel crates" in the basement, Rosenthal said.
Police notified Animal Control, which also found paraphernalia in the home that is often associated with dog fighting, Rosenthal said. One of those items was a treadmill, which he said is an apparatus used to train dogs for fighting.
Though none of the dogs were injured, authorities found scars and other marks that would indicate past injuries consistent with dog fighting, Rosenthal said.
All the animals are now in the care of Animal Control and will be held as evidence in the case, according to Rosenthal.
He said it is unclear what will happen to the animals in the future, but noted that fighting dogs are not adoptable due to the nature of their upbringing.
Police are investigating the situation as possible animal neglect, abuse or both, Bright said. It remains unclear if and when charges will be pursued. References
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