Sixteen pit bulls found neglected - Hampton, VA

Thursday, Sep 25, 2008

County: Hampton City

Disposition: Not Charged

Person of Interest: Vernon Alfonza Silver

Animal control officers seized 16 pit bull terriers from a Hampton home after finding they were malnourished and being kept without food or water.

But no charges will be brought against the dogs' owner because he gave them up to animal control, Hampton police say.

Police spokeswoman Paula Ensley said she believes the Sept. 25 seizure of the dogs is the largest in Hampton since the police division took over animal control in January.

She said all the dogs were being looked at by a vet. She did not believe any had been euthanized.

While police declined to name the dog's owner, he is identified in an affidavit for a search warrant as Vernon Alfonza Silver, of Abbey Court.

According to court records, Silver has been found guilty of seven animal-related offenses, including having dogs without rabies vaccinations. And in 2003, he was fined $1,000 for animal cruelty.

On Sept. 24, the court document says, animal control officers received a complaint of "several malnourished canines without food and water" at Silver's property.

The officers saw many pit bulls chained in pens in the back yard.

"Each pen had at least one pit bull inside. A majority of the pens had no available food or potable water," the affidavit states. "Many of the dogs were emaciated, with palpable ribs and vertebrae showing. Some had fly strikes on their ears."

The document says the dogs' condition and appearance suggested "severe neglect and inhumane treatment, requiring immediate veterinary treatment."

Some dogs were shackled with short, heavy chains and large collars, the document states.

The search warrant application was made by Animal Control Officer Angela Taylor, who said she has responded to the Abbey Court property more than 12 times for animal cruelty complaints since April 2007.

References

• Daily Press - Oct 2, 2008

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