Dog-fighting
Baltimore, MD (US)

Incident Date: Wednesday, Nov 17, 2010
County: Baltimore

Disposition: Alleged

Abuser names unreleased

11 News learned Friday afternoon that city police have developed a person of interest in connection with a dogfighting and animal cruelty case.

Authorities said they uncovered a dogfighting operation this week in which one dog was found dead inside a garbage bag and other dogs were surrounded by urine and feces.

Police expressed optimism that an arrest will come soon, according to the I-Team's David Collins.

Officers responded to a home in the 1600 block of North Payson Street at about 9:30 p.m. Wednesday after receiving a report about dogfighting at that location.

Dogs found in the deplorable conditions.
Collins peered through an open basement door and observed that it was dark and dank. He said there was no food or water in sight.

All of the dogs were surrounded by feces and urine, police said.

The dog found inside a garbage bag had a "good amount of blood" and "bite and chew marks on its hind legs," according to a police report.

Officers said a rear room on the third floor of the home "appeared to be the dogfighting room due to the amount of blood on the walls." Police said bed mattresses were also found in the room.

Police and animal control said that in one of the rooms a dog was eating a green plastic bag.

Animal control workers went to the home to remove the dogs, five of which were puppies. Experts said they may have been there to be trained as fighters or to be used as bait.

"Unfortunately, one of the ways they train dogs to fight is to use dogs that really don't know how to fight, what they call bait dogs. They put them in an area with a dog that is aggressive, and it helps that dog build confidence and fighting skills because they can really take down this other dog," said Jen Brause, spokeswoman for the
The case is still under investigation.

Meanwhile, animal rescue experts said all six dogs are gentle and would make good, harmless pets. They will likely be up for adoption soon.

References

• « MD State Animal Cruelty Map
  « More cases in Baltimore County, MD

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