Dog-fighting suspected, 15 dogs seized
Gaithersburg, MD (US)

Incident Date: Wednesday, Dec 15, 2010
County: Montgomery

Charges: Misdemeanor, Felony CTA
Disposition: Convicted

Defendant/Suspect: Charles Henry Copeland

Case Updates: 1 update(s) available

Montgomery County Police are investigating possible dog fighting operations after a raid at a residence west of Laytonsville.

Fourteen pit bull-type dogs and one Presa Canario were seized last month after animal services officers checked to ensure proper care of canines at a house in the 8100 block of Brink Road.

A SWAT team was dispatched to the house Dec. 15 because some people who lived there had previous drug and weapons convictions, said police Capt. Michael Wahl, who directs the county's animal services division.

Officers arrested Charles Henry Copeland, 45, for illegal possession of a firearm, which he is prohibited from having because he has a 1998 felony conviction for drug possession with intent to distribute.

One dog seized at Copeland's residence had untreated bite wounds on its neck, head and leg that were consistent with dog fighting, whether orchestrated or spontaneous, animal services officer Jack Breckenridge said. Some of the dogs were thin, he said.

Nine dogs were euthanized because two owners who came to the county animal shelter to claim them did not want to appeal the seizure or pay boarding fees, Wahl said.

Animal cruelty charges are pending, he said.

The other six dogs have exhibited aggression toward other dogs and are being evaluated to determine whether they are suitable for adoption, Wahl said.

Copeland, who is free on $25,000 bail, also was charged with civil violations for failing to provide proper water and shelter for the dogs which were outdoors in sub-freezing, windy weather. The dogs' water bowls were frozen or empty and their dog houses lacked bedding and wind flap doors, Breckenridge said.

Police charged another resident, Robert William Palmer, 23, with possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia.

Larry Thomas Jr., 34, of the 18900 block of Ferry Landing Circle in Germantown was charged with civil violations for failing to provide water and proper shelter and for not having licensed his dogs or vaccinated them for rabies, Wahl said.

Animal services officers had visited Copeland's Brink Road property on Dec. 5 because he was under an abatement order to ensure that dogs had current vaccinations and proper care, Wahl said.

Problems officers found on Dec. 5 remained when they revisited the property on Dec. 13, so officers returned with a search warrant on Dec. 15.

Copeland does not have a listed phone number and his lawyer has not returned phone calls.

In April 2006 police responded to complaints of excessive barking, animal cruelty and dog fighting at the Brink Road property. Copeland refused to answer questions or to give police access, so officers got a warrant. Their search of Copeland's property turned up 13 unlicensed, unvaccinated pit bulls, police said, as well as a sawed-off shotgun, marijuana and small bags containing marijuana residue. The shotgun was determined to belong to someone else, police said.

At that time, police charged Copeland with possession of drug paraphernalia as well as having unlicensed and unvaccinated dogs and improper dog tethering.

Laws have changed since 2006 when police had to prove that dog fighting was actually going on, Wahl said.

It is now illegal to possess, own, sell, transport or train dogs with the intent to use them in a dogfight, Wahl said.

In 1997 police charged Copeland with possession with intent to distribute narcotics. Copeland pleaded guilty to those charges in 1998 and was sentenced to six months in jail, served on weekends, and to 24 months supervised probation, according to court records.

Case Updates

References

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