Dog-fighting - 6 dogs seized - Rome, GA

Tuesday, Dec 23, 2008

County: Floyd

Charges: Misdemeanor, Felony CTA
Disposition: Alleged

Alleged: Dominique Ladell Porter

Case Updates: 1 update(s) available

A Floyd County man has been charged with felony dogfighting and misdemeanor cruelty to animals after six pit bulls were seized by animal control on Dec. 23, police said.

Dominique Ladell Porter, 25, a press worker with the Rome News-Tribune, was arrested today around 5:30 p.m.and charged with six felony counts of dogfighting and six misdemeanor counts of cruelty to animals, Floyd County police reported.

The charges stem from an investigation by Floyd County Police Sgt. Dan Bickers.

According to police:

Police were notified by Floyd County Animal Control officers who had been called to the scene at 51 Jones Road. An agent of a private investigations firm, hired by the Humane Society, had done surveillance of the residence after he received a tip about possible dogfighting at the Jones Road address.

The six pit bulldogs discovered at the scene exhibited scarring and injuries consistent with animals that have been involved in dogfighting. The animals were emaciated and in overall very poor health. A representative from the Sterile Feral assisted Bickers and animal control in the recovery of the dogs. The animals were turned over to animal control by police, and an investigation ensued to establish the identity of the owner of the dogs.

It was determined that the dogs belonged to Porter, who had engaged the dogs dogfighting.

Porter willfully caused unjustifiable physical pain and suffering to the dogs by neglecting to provide the animals with proper nourishment and medical care. The animals were taken to the Floyd County Animal Shelter, where they received treatment for their wounds from veterinarians. The dogs have been cared for at the shelter while the investigation continues.

Case Updates

Dominique Porter of Rome was arrested on Thursday in connection a case that involved authorities finding several injured dogs last month. Authorities had said that it looked as if the dogs` injuries were from dog fighting. Porter, who is an employee at the Rome News-Tribune has been charged with six felony counts of dogfighting and six misdemeanor counts of cruelty to animals. Six injured pit bulls were seized by Animal Control authorities off Jones Road.

Source: Coosa Valley News - Jan 15, 2009 Update posted on Jan 16, 2009 - 1:52AM

References

• Rome News-Tribune - Jan 15, 2009

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