Dog-fighting - 15 dogs seized, one found dead
Grimesland, NC (US)Incident Date: Thursday, May 6, 2010
County: Pitt
Charges: Felony CTA
Disposition: Alleged
Alleged: Derrick Lamar Rascoe
A Grimesland man surrendered to Pitt County sheriff’s deputies on Monday in connection with an alleged pit bull training and fighting operation raided by deputies May 6 in the southwest corner of the county.
Derrick Lamar Rascoe, 40, was charged with at least 62 crimes related to an alleged dog fighting and training operation at a rural location on Sutton Acres Lane near the Craven County line. Charges include cruelty to animals, cruel restraint, dog fighting, vaccination breaches and abandonment of the dogs, according to booking records at the Pitt County Detention Center.
After his arrest, Rascoe voluntarily signed over custody of the 15 rescued pit bulls to Pitt County Animal Control, which had been kenneling the dogs since the raid, Chief Deputy Rick Fisher said Tuesday.
Twelve of the pit bulls were euthanized at the shelter; two young dogs and their mother were kept alive as efforts continue to have them evaluated to see if they can be rehabilitated and adopted out, shelter director Michele Whaley said Tuesday.
“I have commitment from Pit Bull Rescue out of Virginia to assist with placing these three,” Whaley said. “The female ... was very neglected upon intake and now has fattened up nicely, although she has a way to go. She seems very sweet, and I believe her to mainly have been used for breeding purposes. The young puppies were much healthier than the rest and seemed to be in good temperament. I believe they also had not been trained as fighting dogs as of yet.”
The dogs were discovered at the property by a deputy who was there to serve an unrelated arrest warrant. One dog was found dead in a corner pen inside a fenced area. When the deputy followed the barking of more dogs, he discovered more outdoor pens scattered around the property, where other pit bulls were restrained by heavy-gauge, 8-foot chains. Next to each pen was a plastic barrel on its side for shelter from the elements and an automobile wheel used as a water dish.
After obtaining a warrant to search the property, a team of the deputies returned and found several more dogs chained at unreachable distances from each other in a wooded area adjacent to the mobile home. They also uncovered equipment believed to be used to train pit bulls for fighting. A treadmill for cardio exercise, a Jenny device -- used to lead chained dogs on a fixed chase of prey animals to build endurance -- and a fighting pit all were identified and connected to an apparent training operation on the property, Sgt. W.J. Lanier said.
When Rascoe surrendered, he gave his address as 222 Cedar Landing Road in Grimesland. Investigators are determining whether he also lived at the Sutton Lane address, Fisher said.
In addition to the animal-related charges, Rascoe was charged with possession of a firearm by a felon, possession with intent to manufacture and distribute controlled substances, maintaining a dwelling for sale of controlled substances, several automobile violations and communicating threats.
He was released from the detention center on a $53,500 secured bond. The investigation into Rascoe’s activities is continuing, Fisher said. References |
