Dog-fighting - 5 dogs seized
Lynchburg, VA (US)Incident Date: Saturday, Sep 19, 2009
County: Bedford
Charges: Felony CTA
Disposition: Alleged
Case Images: 2 files available
Alleged: William Travis Williams
Case Updates: 1 update(s) available
The Bedford County Sheriff’s Office says its officers have arrested a North Carolina man on dog fighting charges, after an undercover investigation.
Investigators tell us they seized five pit-bull dogs in cages from the Best Western Motel in Bedford on Sunday, September 19th. Deputies believe the dogs were brought to Virginia for dog fights in Central Virginia and West Virginia. Among the dogs seized were “Rowdy,“ who investigators describe as a two-time champion, and his girlfriend “Mercedes.“
Officers arrested 25-year-old William Travis Williams, from Marshal, N.C., after deputies say Williams received $6,500 for transporting and selling the five dogs to undercover agents. The agents were disguised as “dog fight coordinators” from Central Virginia, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
Williams is charged under a new felony law that makes it illegal to transport, own, train, or sell animals in Virginia for the purpose of fighting with another animal.
If convicted, Williams could face up to five years in prison, and a fine of up to $250,000.
Investigators took the seized dogs to the Bedford County Animal Shelter. Officers also say the investigation is still going on, and additional arrested are anticipated.
The Sheriff’s Office says it worked with the Humane Society of the United States on the seizure.
Case UpdatesFive pit bulls seized in a Bedford County dog fighting sting are recovering. On Saturday, undercover agents took them from William Travis Williams of Marshal, North Carolina.
They say Williams does not have a prior record of dog fighting charges. Investigators found him online trying to sell his pit bulls for dog fighting.
Now those dogs are getting help, some more than others.
Scott Polinek at the Bedford County Animal Shelter doesn't get many fighting dogs in his animal shelter.
“It's sick, sick. Why would somebody treat anything like that. Human, animal, anything," Polinek said.
The operations manager at the Bedford County Animal Shelter is happy these five pit bulls are under his care. "They'll stay here and we'll give them the best treatment that they can," Polinek said.
They'll need it. Polinek says two of the dogs are malnourished, so they're getting wet food to help hide their bones. One won't even get out of its bed, the other just stares at the floor.
Both have to be treated for what Polinek calls pressure wounds. "That would be from basically lying down too much, maybe being restricted in a kennel."
Polinek says blue paint on one dog might be an antiseptic used to treat open wounds. The other three pitbulls look healthy, and
Capt. Mike Miller says it's a shame they'd be used for fighting. "Those animals have no choice. They're trained to do that. The animal is not bred to conduct fights only. It's a pet," he said.
Investigators say Williams sold the dogs for $6,500 to agents posing as dog-fight coordinators. Miller wants to keep cracking down on dog fighting. "For someone to train an animal to go into a pen and fight for its life over and over, hopefully that it gets more than one fight. That's a sick individual," Miller said.
Williams is out on bond. The sheriff's office says he could face one to five years in prison if convicted. He'll be in court on October 15th.
As for those pit bulls, the animal shelter says they are not available for adoption, but that's pending a court decision. | Source: WSET.om - Sep 22, 2009
Update posted on Sep 24, 2009 - 5:24PM |
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