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Case ID: 15812

Classification: Fighting

Animal: dog (pit-bull)

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Dog-fighting - 2 injured dogs seized
Apalachicola, FL (US)

Incident Date: Saturday, Sep 19, 2009
County: Franklin

Disposition: Alleged
Case Images: 1 files available

Alleged: Richard Duncan

On Saturday, Franklin County animal control seized two severely injured pit bulls that are suspected of being used for fighting.

Richard Duncan, of 1122 Bluff Road in Apalachicola, may be charged with animal cruelty as a result of the raid.

Norred & Associates, an Atlanta-based private investigative and security firm, spearheaded the rescue of two of the dogs. Over the weekend, Phil Gallacher, a retired Atlanta police officer, was following a lead received on Norred’s toll-free, animal cruelty tip line.

“We were notified that the property located at 1122 Bluff Road in Apalachicola was possibly a dog fighting location,” said Gallacher. In addition to uncovering what may have been a pit bull training and fighting site, Gallacher also found two severely wounded pit bulls being kept on short chains.

Because of the severity of the dogs’ injuries, Gallacher went to the home of Sheriff Skip Shiver, who promptly dispatched investigators and animal control officers. On hand with Gallacher were Lee Adams, an investigator with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement’s Panama City office; Lt. Ronald Crum, from the sheriff’s office; and Albert Floyd and Fonda Davis, both with animal control.

“We have been investigating dog fighting cases for years,” said Gallacher. “Of the over 250 dogs our team has rescued, these dogs here were in the worst condition of any we’ve seen to date.”

A veteran private investigator, Gallacher said he was disgusted at the deplorable condition of the dogs. “I would have gathered additional evidence, but couldn’t stand to let those poor animals suffer another minute in the state they were in,” he said.

Duncan, owner of the dogs, told animal control he had left home on Tuesday morning and, when he came back, the dogs had broken loose and appeared to have been injured while fighting each other.

“I doctored them the best I could and staked them back out,” he said.

Law enforcement officials are weighing the possibility that the dogs were being trained to hunt wild hogs. State laws prevent dogs from being trained in that manner using live bait.

After examining the animals, Dr. Hobson Fulmer of Apalachicola Bay Animal Clinic wrote that both dogs were eight to 10 pounds underweight with dozens of old scars. He counted 32 puncture wounds on the face, head and front limbs of one of the dogs and over 70 on the other dog. He wrote that the injuries were consistent with fighting activity.

“You would think after all of the publicity about Michael Vick it would change the way people think. Apparently it has not,” said Fulmer, in a telephone interview. “This will continue to happen until dog fighting becomes socially unacceptable in some circles. Unfortunately, even if these dogs injuries can be healed, once a dog has fought it’s likely to fight again. It is a loaded gun. It’s a shame. Pit bulls can be wonderful dogs.”

Gallacher wrote that the two dogs “touched noses when they were in the process of being removed from the property. They must have sensed they were going to a better place.”

Gallacher and Joel Norred, undersheriff of Franklin County, both said the investigation is ongoing. All evidence has been submitted the Florida State’s Attorney’s Office for possible criminal prosecution.

Joel Norred has no connection with Norred & Associates, the investigators who received the tip that led to the seizure of the pit bulls. Norred & Associates have launched 1 (877) 215-2250, the toll-free animal cruelty tip hotline to give private citizens a confidential way of reporting suspected cases of animal abuse occurring in Georgia and Florida. The firm further offers rewards up to $5,000 for any notification that results in an arrest and conviction.

References

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