Dog-fighting - 3 dogs seized
Chicago, IL (US)Incident Date: Saturday, May 24, 2008
County: Lake
Charges: Misdemeanor
Disposition: Alleged
Alleged: Michael Beals
Police investigating reports of illegal dog fighting raided a West Side car wash early Saturday, arresting two men and rescuing three pit bulls.
Two of the pit bulls removed from Mike's Hand Car Wash in the 3800 block of West Chicago had scars and bruises consistent with dog fighting, police said.
The raid came about two weeks after Chicago Police began investigating tips from community residents that dog fighting allegedly was taking place at the car wash. Officers from the Animal Crimes Unit entered the business about 9 a.m. Saturday and found the dogs, a law enforcement source said.
Two of the dogs were locked in a bathroom littered with feces, and both lacked food or water, the source said. A third dog was tied up inside the car wash, also without food or water, the source said.
They were turned over to the city's Department of Animal Care and Control.
Car wash owner Michael Beals, 26, was charged with three counts of misdemeanor animal cruelty.
Manager Marcellus Shorty, 27, was charged with misdemeanor unlawful possession of a firearm after he allegedly was found with a 9mm pistol.
Neither Beals nor Shorty could be reached Saturday for comment.
No dog-fighting ring or training equipment was found in the car wash, but police are continuing to investigate, the source said. References
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