Dog-fighting - 24 dogs seized, drugs found
Breaux Bridge, LA (US)

Incident Date: Tuesday, Nov 9, 2010
County: Saint Martin

Disposition: Alleged

Alleged: Perum Williams

The St. Martin Sheriff's Office is investigating a possible dogfighting ring in Breaux Bridge discovered during a drug bust.

While deputies were executing a drug-related warrant on the 1400 block of Breaux Bridge High School Road, authorities discovered caged 24 pitbulls.

"It generated a whole new investigation," said Maj. Ginny Higgins, St. Martin Parish Sheriff's spokeswoman.

Perum Williams, 28, of Breaux Bridge, was charged with 24 counts of animal cruelty and seven counts of dog-fighting paraphernalia after the discovery of the dogs.

Williams also was charged with possession with intent to distribute marijuana, possession with intent to distribute a Schedule II narcotic, possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of a firearm in the presence of a controlled dangerous substance for the original warrant.

Along with the 24 dogs, deputies also found 60 pounds of marijuana, several prescription pills, a handgun, packing materials and a scale.

Higgins said the house was in a rural part of town and the dogs, along with the possible dogfighting, may have gone unnoticed.

St. Martin Parish Animal Control still is processing the dogs, Higgins said. Officials have to examine each of the 24 dogs individually.

Some of the dogs were injured with some displaying visible scars, but Higgins said she does not yet know to what extent the injuries were.

Monique Luvier, animal services coordinator at Animal Control, said she couldn't say what will happen to the dogs because their futures are still unknown.

She said the shelter was working all day to open up 20 kennels to take in the pitbulls. As of 5 p.m., 10 kennels were open, five animals were leaving with 12 others remaining. Luvier said she was confident they will have the room to house the pitbulls.

When an animal is seized, the owner of the dog still has a right to place a bond on each of the animals but if they don't pay the bond, the dogs automatically will become a property of the parish.

Luvier said it costs $5 a day to house an animal at the shelter, not including $10 for rabies (if needed) and $10 to impound each animal. From housing costs alone, housing all 24 pitbulls cost $120 a day.

"All we can do is wait it out," Luvier said. "In the meantime, we have to make sure (the pitbulls) get what they need and the remaining animals here get what they need."

The dogfighting case is still under investigation, Higgins said, with more arrests pending.

Williams was booked into the St. Martin Parish Jail.

References

• - Nov 11, 2010

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