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Case ID: 16141
Classification: Fighting, Neglect / Abandonment
Animal: dog (pit-bull)
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3 dogs removed from alleged dog fighting ring
North Point, MD (US)

Incident Date: Friday, Jan 29, 2010
County: Baltimore

Charges: Felony CTA
Disposition: Dismissed

Persons of Interest:
» Nicole Marie Caruso
» Romy John William Bogier
» Michael Hudson Eckert

Case Updates: 1 update(s) available

One of the three suspects arrested last week in what Baltimore County police describe as a dogfighting operation has a long record -- of fighting for dogs.

Nicole Marie Caruso, a dog groomer at Sobo Dog Daycare & Spa in South Baltimore, is praised by her current and former bosses and friends as an animal rights activist and dog rescuer.

Police say she and the two other occupants of the home they raided in North Point sold marijuana, fought with neighborhood rivals and ran a dogfighting ring centered around their pit bulls -- Dutch, Whezzy, Lucia, Bruno, Gotti and Kane.

Police said they found blood smeared on walls, weights, chains, collars, a treadmill, steroids, veterinary supplies and three aggressive pit bulls that showed signs of injuries.

Police charging documents portray Caruso’s role as that of a nurse treating injured patients -- whether the dogs were forced to fight for bets or simply fought one another for fun, the Baltimore Sun reported.

Caruso worked most recently at the SoBo Dog Day Care, which opened last year in Locust Point. Prior to that, she spent two years as a veterinarian technician at Animal Medical Clinic on York Road in Timonium.

Her bosses at both places described her to Sun reporter Peter Hermann as a dog lover who rescued strays, patched wounds, and wrote articles on animal health for websites.

“It’s a huge shame, very heartbreaking,” said Nancy Jolle, the office manager of Animal Medical Clinic. “We’re kind of in shock. We don’t know what to think until they sort out the facts,” Jolle said.

At the SoBo Dog Day Care, owner Bill Link said customers raved about her work. “She has a fantastic following,” Link said. “I just can’t believe she did what they say she did because she’s such an advocate.”

Link reiterated what several of Caruso’s neighbors have said in her support -- that she bought the treadmill for $30 on Craigslist to lose weight, not to train her dogs to fight.

Caruso has been released on $125,000 bail. The three were arrested on drug and animal cruelty charges, Baltimore County police said, after officers raided a townhouse and found evidence of dogfighting and steroids and exercise gear designed to give the animals added strength and stamina.

Police Chief James W. Johnson said that officers executed search warrants Thursday aimed at a suspected drug operation in the townhouse in the 7500 block of Lange St. and found not only indications that drugs were being sold but evidence that pointed to dogfighting.

"They also recovered three highly aggressive pit bulls that were living there and were owned by one of these people," Johnson said. The animals, which he said showed signs of having been injured, were taken by Baltimore County Animal Control officers, with whom they remain.

Johnson said there was blood on some walls, suggesting that dogfights had taken place in the house. Also found were weights, chains, collars and a treadmill that he said was used to train the animals.

Michael Eckert, 25, and Romy Bogier, 28, were arrested Friday, a day after the search, police said. Johnson said Bogier was the owner of the dogs.

Nicole Marie Caruso, 26, turned herself in Monday at the North Point precinct, said Lt. Robert McCullough, a police spokesman.

Eckert, Bogier and Caruso were charged with possession with intent to distribute marijuana, possession of a controlled dangerous substance and cruelty to animals, police said, and were being held at the Baltimore County Detention Center.

None had been charged with dogfighting, a felony that carries a penalty of three years in prison and a $5,000 fine.

Neighbors have long complained about fighting between rivals - Johnson declined to call them gang members - in the 7500 block of Lange St., near the intersection of Merritt Boulevard and North Point Road.

"These two groups had caused disorder for months," Johnson said. "Fighting, threatening each other, violent attacks against each other."

Johnson said officers had heard complaints that the dogs had bitten area residents, but the notion that organized dogfighting was taking place arose only when the house was searched.


Case Updates

Prosecutors have reportedly dropped animal cruelty charges against a North Point woman and her two roommates.

In January, police raided the home of Nicole Caruso looking for drugs.

Inside they found several animals and evidence of what appeared to be a dog fighting ring.

Caruso, who works as a dog groomer, and two others were charged but now those charges have been dropped.

All three are still facing drug and theft charges.
Source: foxbaltimore.com - Mar 10, 2010
Update posted on Mar 25, 2010 - 3:43PM 

References

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