Dog-fighting - 15 dogs seized - Branson, MO

Wednesday, Jul 7, 2010

County: Stone

Charges: Felony CTA
Disposition: Alleged

Alleged:
» Jon P. Stingley
» Keith Owens - Convicted

Case Updates: 2 update(s) available

The Humane Society of Missouri says it has rescued 15 dogs in southwest Missouri that may have been used in dogfighting.

There was no immediate word on Thursday if anyone has been arrested. The raid on Wednesday occurred in Stone County, and messages left with the sheriff's department there were not returned.

The Humane Society says it rescued seven adult pit bulls and eight puppies from property owned by someone allegedly involved in dogfighting. The organization says many of the dogs had wounds, and most were attached to heavy log chains and thick collars.

The owner of the animals voluntarily surrendered them to the Humane Society. The dogs have been taken to the Humane Society center in St. Louis for treatment.

Case Updates

A Berryville, Ark., man accused of dog fighting at a residence in Lampe has entered an Alford plea and been sentenced to four years supervised probation. Keith Owens, 42, entered an Alford plea of guilty to two charges of felony dog fighting during an Oct. 3 hearing. An Alford plea is a legal maneuver in which a defendant is allowed to plead guilty while still maintaining his or her innocence of the crime. Rather than admitting guilt, the defendant admits sufficient evidence exists in the case that a judge or jury could be convinced of his or her guilt. An Alford plea is generally seen when a defendant recognizes it is in his or her best interests to plead guilty rather than face trial. Under the plea agreement, four additional counts of felony dog fighting were dismissed against Owens. He was sentenced to four years in prison for the first two counts, but was given a suspended execution of sentence provided he doesn't violate probation. Under the conditions of his probation, Owens is required to pay several hundred dollars in restitution to law enforcement agencies. He is also prohibited from contact with John Stingley, who is also charged in connection with the alleged dog fighting ring. Owens and 42-year-old Stingley were arrested in July of 2010 after authorities executed a search warrant at Stingley's Lampe residence and seized 15 pit bulls they believe had been used for dog fighting. The raid was the culmination of a seven-month investigation by the Stone County Sheriff's Office. In total, the Humane Society of Missouri removed eight adult dogs and seven puppies from the property. According to Branson Tri-Lakes News archives, Humane Society officials reported some of the dogs bore old wounds, and two had recent wounds, including a bloody eye. Authorities said many of the animals were attached to heavy log chains and thick collars, and the property was littered with trash, dilapidated buildings and abandoned trucks. Documentation was also seized from the location that indicated dog fighting took place, according to investigators. Both men were incarcerated at the Stone County Jail in Galena, but were released in July of 2010. Owens posted a bond of $10,000, while Stingley was released on a $12,500 bond. According to Missouri Case.net, Stingley has been scheduled as the No. 4 jury trial in Stone County Circuit Court on Feb. 8 at 9 a.m. Stingley is charged with six counts of dog fighting in one case, and an additional count in a separate case.

Source: bransontrilakesnews.com - Oct 21, 2011 Update posted on Oct 22, 2011 - 9:51PM

Authorities seized 15 dogs from a southwestern Missouri property and brought dogfighting charges against two men, including one who lived there. The raid on Wednesday near Lampe in Stone County followed a seven-month investigation, the Humane Society of Missouri said. Authorities arrested Jon P. Stingley, 42, who lives at the residence, and Keith Owens, 41, of Blue Eye, Mo. Both were charged with felony dogfighting and jailed on $25,000 bond. Neither man had a listed attorney, and Stingley didn't have a listed phone number. A phone message left at Owens' home was not immediately returned, and jail officials did not immediately respond to a request to interview the men. The Humane Society said it rescued seven adult pit bulls and eight puppies from the property. A spokesman said many of the adult dogs had old and new wounds, and most were attached to heavy log chains with thick collars. Stone County Sheriff Richard Hill said documents were also seized indicating that dogfighting took place at the property. The owner voluntarily surrendered the dogs. The dogs were taken to the Humane Society facility in St. Louis for treatment, with the goal of eventually placing them up for adoption. "We are committed to working with law enforcement to eliminate the brutal and illegal dogfighting activities throughout Missouri," said Debbie Hill, vice president of operations for the Humane Society of Missouri. The dogs were found on a wooded hillside, out of view. The Humane Society said the property included several abandoned trucks, dilapidated buildings and trash.

Source: stltoday.com - Jul 22, 2010 Update posted on Jul 22, 2010 - 1:50PM

References

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