Dog-fighting - 5 dogs seized - Hampton , VA

Thursday, Jun 17, 2010

County: Hampton City

Charges: Felony CTA
Disposition: Alleged

Alleged:
» Robert L. Hynes
» Kendall Lamont Hargrove, Jr.

Case Updates: 1 update(s) available

On Thursday, Hampton police arrested Robert L. Hynes, 38, and Kendal Lamonte Hargrove Jr., 18, and charged them with three felony counts each of animal fighting.

The arrests came after an undercover investigation conducted by animal control and special victims units officers. The Humane Society of the United States also assisted police in the investigation.

Police spokeswoman Paula Scheck said Hynes and Hargrove sold several pit bulls tot the undercover officers at a home on Marlborough court. The sales involved several thousands of dollars.

In addition to three dogs purchased, police took two other pit bulls from the home on Thursday. Sadly, one of the dogs has been used in the operation for more than ten years.

Cpl. Lynn Arway, animal control manager for the Hampton police department reports that both Hynes and Hargrove are connected to dog fighting ring which operates in multiple locations between Virginia and North Carolina.

If convicted, Hynes and Hargrove could each face up to five years in prison.

Case Updates

Police confiscated more than 200 items last week following a two-week investigation into the sale of dogs for dog fighting, resulting in charges against two Hampton men. According to the search warrant, the items were recovered from a residence in the 3300 block of Marlborough Court. They included 92 documents that referenced dogs' veterinary records and pedigree papers that document the dogs' blood lines. Cpl. Lynn Arway, animal control manager for the Hampton police department, said a dog's pedigree often determines its worth in the dog-fighting world. "When a dog wins a match, they are often bred and their puppies are sold. Pedigrees are used as proof that their puppies came from a particular fighter," Arway said. "The pedigree is a very important piece of paper." Robert L. Hymes, 38, and Kendal Lamonte Hargrove Jr., 18, both of Hampton, are charged with three felony counts each of animal fighting. According to police, the two men sold three dogs to police for the purpose of dog fighting. Hymes and Hargrove were arrested as part of an undercover operation involving the department's animal control and special victims units, with assistance from the Humane Society of the United States. Hymes, also known as Robert Whitehead, told a police informant on June 7 that three pit bull terriers "were game and ready to roll," according to court documents. The documents also state that Hymes told the informant that one of the pit bulls, Pistol Pete, had recently been fought. Hymes agreed to sell two of the dogs for $750 and Pistol Pete for $1,000. In addition to the three dogs purchased by police, two others were also seized. The names of the pit bull terriers confiscated were: Pistol Pete, Elvis, Mona Lisa, Fanny and Lefteye. Other items recovered by police included a video tape of a dog fight, a 7-foot strap stained with blood, various types of ointments and antiseptics, dietary supplements, syringes and dog vitamins. A wooden "break stick" was also recovered from the residence. Arway said break sticks are often used in dog fighting. "The dog's jaw will often lock up and the stick is used to pry open the jaw," she said. Police also seized animal hide attached to a rope, which is used by dog fighters to strengthen the dogs' jaws. Hymes is scheduled to appear in Hampton General District Court Wednesday and Hargrove's court date is July 28.

Source: DailyPress.com - Jun 22, 2010 Update posted on Jun 24, 2010 - 8:08PM

References

• « VA State Animal Cruelty Map
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