Dog-fighting
Maricopa, AZ (US)Incident Date: Wednesday, Jun 4, 2008
County: Pinal
Charges: Felony CTA
Disposition: Alleged
Alleged: Damien L. Hartfield
A man was arrested on multiple felony counts when police discovered a suspected dogfighting operation at his home in the 21000 block of Alexis Avenue.
Damien Hartfield, 30, faces several charges related to animal cruelty. Additional charges are expected relating to assault weapons and drug paraphernalia located by police during a second search of the home.
According to police, officers responded to a call of two dogs fighting Wednesday around 6 p.m.
One of the officers who arrived on scene witnessed two dogs, apparently pit bulls, fighting. Both animals were covered in blood, said Maricopa police Sgt. Stephen Judd.
The owner arrived later and refused access to police, according to a press release from the department.
According to police, Hartfield brought a severely injured dog into the house when police tried to question him and refused to cooperate with the investigation.
Police obtained a search warrant and discovered seven pit bulls and pit bull mixed breeds, all showing signs of injury related to dogfighting.
Police also found evidence Hartfield had been training dogs to fight.
Police contacted Pinal County Animal Care and Control to seize the dogs.
While investigating the dogfighting operation, police noticed evidence of drug use at the house and obtained a second search warrant, according to police.
Police found marijuana, drug paraphernalia, assault rifles, shotguns and handguns, Judd said.
"Hartfield could be looking at scores of felony charges," Judd said.
Drug and weapons charges are pending while detectives continue their investigation. More animal cruelty charges could be added if evidence shows Hartfield was indeed running a dogfighting ring from his home, Judd said.
Hartfield was booked into Pinal County jail Thursday. References« AZ State Animal Cruelty Map
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