Dog-fighting
Fort White, FL (US)Incident Date: Monday, Feb 11, 2008
County: Columbia
Disposition: Alleged
Alleged: Alexander Farnsworth
Case Updates: 1 update(s) available
After a wounded pit bull was found wandering loose near Fort White earlier this month, Columbia County detectives discovered a home with several other dogs bearing scars consistent with dog fighting and arrested the homeowner Wednesday, according to the Columbia County Sheriff's Office.
Alexander Farnsworth, 22, of 847 SW Applewood Glen, was not home when detectives first served a search warrant at his home on Feb. 11, but Farnsworth turned himself in Wednesday and was booked on charges of fighting animals, cruelty to animals and tampering with a witness.
Detectives were first led to Farnsworth's home earlier this month when a wounded dog was picked up in the area by the animal shelter.
"The investigators checked that dog out, and the wounds on that dog were consistent with what is commonly known in dog fighting events," said spokeswoman Laurie Windham with the Columbia County Sheriff's Office.
When detectives searched Farnsworth's home on Feb. 11, they found another seven pit bulls, some with severe wounds, as well as the carcass of an eighth dog, authorities said. They also found evidence that Farnsworth was training them to fight, the Sheriff's Office said. "The injuries on these dogs were far beyond inhumane," said Sheriff Bill Gootee in a news release. "This type of activity is senseless and, more importantly, against the law and will not be tolerated in Columbia County."
Case UpdatesA 22-year old Fort White man surrendered to law enforcement officers after a warrant was issued for his arrest on dog fighting charges earlier this week.
Alexander Farnsworth, 22, of 847 SW Applewood Glen, Fort White, was charged with fighting or baiting animals, cruelty to animals and tampering with a witness. He was booked into the Columbia County Jail on Wednesday but was later released on a $45,000 bond.
According to Columbia County Sheriff's Office reports, an escaped pit bull was reported to Lake City animal control officers earlier this month. Upon arriving, officers from the Lake City Animal Shelter noticed that the animal was seriously injured and reported it to the sheriff's office.
Sheriff's office investigation of the surrounding area indicated that the dog had come from Farnsworth's residence. A warrant was obtained and detectives searched his residence on Feb. 11 and discovered seven injured pit bulls - some seriously injured - and the carcass of one dead dog. According to reports, evidence suggested Farnsworth may have been training the dogs for fighting.
A warrant was issued for his arrest and Farnsworth surrendered Wednesday.
The dogs were later turned over to animal shelter officials. Columbia County Sheriff Bill Gootee said the injuries on the dogs were "far beyond humane."
Gootee said it is unclear if Farnsworth or any of the dogs confiscated were used in a dog fighting ring that was broken up on Dec. 15, when deputies responded to a possible dog fighting ring near Fort White.
When the investigating deputies arrived in the area on Dec. 15, more than a dozen SUVs with tinted windows were leaving the scene at a high rate of speed. Two men were arrested and several dogs were confiscated and detectives later discovered an outdoor arena used for fighting dogs.
"At this point in time, the detectives have not found a link between the two," Gootee said, adding that his agency is aggressively investigating to see if the two are related.
Gootee said there is a chance additional charges could be filed and more arrests could be made. | Source: Lake City Reporter = Feb 23, 2008
Update posted on Feb 25, 2008 - 12:04AM |
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