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Case ID: 17439

Classification: Fighting

Animal: dog (pit-bull)

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Dog-fighting - 2 teens charged
Severn, MD (US)

Incident Date: Thursday, Feb 17, 2011
County: Anne Arundel

Disposition: Alleged
Case Images: 2 files available

Alleged:
» 16 year old male
» 16 year old male

Two 16-year-olds are facing numerous animal cruelty charges after Anne Arundel County police responded to a call about what appeared to be a dogfight, only hours after animal welfare advocates asked state legislators to strengthen animal cruelty laws.

Shortly before 5:30 p.m. Thursday, a caller told police that there were about five people watching two dogs fighting in the woods near Athena Lane and Loving Road in Severn, according to a prepared statement from police.

Police said that as they arrived, the group scattered, running toward Arwell Court, and officers arrested two people, one of whom was carrying a pit bull puppy by the neck, which police took to a nearby veterinarian.

Arwell Court is in the Orchards of Severn neighborhood.

A second dog was seen running into the woods. Police said they did not find that dog or the other people.

The Department of Juvenile Services placed the two teenage boys in the Cheltenham Youth Facility, police said.

Each teen was charged with animal cruelty, dogfight spectator, dogfighting, possession and training for a dogfight, and restraining a dog without food, water or shelter and in unsanitary conditions, according to county officials.

Animal welfare advocates urged members of a House committee Thursday to stiffen the penalties for animal cruelty convictions. Pending legislation, sparked by several incidents in the past year, would double the penalties for animal cruelty. Anne Arundel County Executive John R. Leopold, who testified at the hearing, suggested the legislation in the wake of the shooting last year of a Siberian husky in a neighborhood dog park.

Dr. Knox Inman, medical director of the Telegraph Road Animal Hospital, where the female puppy remained this morning, described her as "very thin, very underweight," but exactly why was not known.

Although she appears to be between 4 and 6 months old, she is small, and weighs 13 pounds, 12 ounces.

"Her bones are quite prominent on her back, on her hips," Inman said. He said the dog has scars and scabs on her face and ears, including a lesion that she may have suffered in recent days, and has a skin disease, apparently mites. He described her as a "very nice, little dog."

If you have any information regarding this continuing investigation, contact Metro Crime Stoppers at 866-7LOCKUP.

References

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