Dog fight busted in progress - 4 dogs seized
Philadelphia, PA (US)Incident Date: Wednesday, Jan 21, 2009
County: Philadelphia
Charges: Felony CTA
Disposition: Alleged
Case Images: 6 files available
Alleged:
» Rodney Harris
» Robert Ward
» Troy Smith
» Corrie Johnson
Philadelphia police and SPCA investigators reporttedly took down a dogfighting ring Wednesday afternoon when neighbors reported hearing dogs battling it out inside a home on the 2500 block of North Dover Street in the Strawberry Mansion section of the city. When police arrived, they saw the actual fight.
Police charged four men with cruelty to animals. 30-year-old Rodney Harris, who told police he owned the dogs, 30-year-old Robert Ward, 28-year-old Troy Smith and Corrie Johnson. Detectives say none of them are strangers to police. Between them, they have 35 prior arrests.
"They've been arrested for a lot of other criminal activities along with the animals," said Officer Bengal.
Police say the dogfighting rings sometimes go hand-in-hand with the drug trade. SPCA investigators agree.
"We're finding a lot of other illegal activity; drugs, guns, stolen guns," said Bengal.
Fortunately, SPCA experts say the ring was broken up in time Wednesday. The dogs were rushed to SPCA headquarters and given emergency treatment for their injuries.
"Two of them in particular had some really significant bite wounds. One of them has his whole face torn up and his whole face was swollen. It was hard for it to eat," says Dr. Kim Russell of the SPCA.
Dr. Russell believes the prognosis for the wounded dogs is good. "I think they're going to pull through. I think we got to them in luckily enough time."
The SPCA says two of the puppies recovered in the raid died overnight. Experts hope the other dogs will recuperate enough to be adoptable. References« PA State Animal Cruelty Map
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