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Case #17935 Rating: 1.5 out of 5



Dog-fighting alleged
Poarch, AL (US)

Incident Date: Sunday, May 8, 2011
County: Escambia

Charges: Felony CTA
Disposition: Convicted

Defendants/Suspects:
» Terrance Denard McNeil
» Terrell Lenard McNeil - Alleged

Case Updates: 2 update(s) available

Two Atmore brothers - one already convicted in January of dog fighting - were arrested on similar charges last week.

Their arrests came at the same time the Humane Society of Escambia County announced it would have to cancel its local contracts for animal control and close its shelters because of lack of funds - raising questions about who can help the county investigate such animal abuse issues in the future.

Twins Terrell Lenard McNeil and Terrence Denard McNeil, 29, both of Atmore, were arrested late last week and face a variety of charges, including dog fighting.

The arrests came after deputies stopped the two on a traffic violation, but Humane Society Director Renee Jones assisted in the investigation, Escambia County Chief Deputy Mike Lambert said.

The arrest marks Terrence McNeil's third time to face charges of dog fighting and the second time Terrell McNeil has been arrested for similar offenses.

"Our officers performed a traffic stop and noticed a red-nosed pit bulldog in the vehicle that had several cuts, marks and scars on his face," Lambert said. "A search of the vehicle also turned up syringes filled with an unknown substance as well as other paraphernalia that is consistent with dog fighting and the treatment of dogs."

Jones was contacted after the paraphernalia was discovered, Lambert said.

"The dog was seized as evidence in the case and the investigation resulted in evidence that led the district attorney to issue warrants in the case," Lambert said. "The two were taken into custody and returned to the Escambia County Detention Center."

The McNeil twins were also arrested in Autauga County in a previous case, Jones said.

"(The McNeils) are repeat offenders," Jones said. "They were caught here and indicted on dog fighting charges. They were then arrested after a raid in Autauga County; 37 dogs were seized and they faced dog fighting charges there. Now, they have been arrested here."

Terrence McNeil was arrested in June 2008 when law enforcement officers received a tip of a planned dogfight off North Sunset Drive in Atmore. While out on bond from the June arrest, McNeil was arrested a second time in September 2008 as the result of an undercover investigation in Autauga County near Prattville. Terrell McNeil was arrested along with his brother in the September 2008 incident near Prattville. Both were charged with felony dog fighting, which carries a potential sentence of up to 10 years and fines of up to $15,000 for each count. The Autauga arrest brought 27 felony counts onto record for the twins.

With the recent announcement of closing HSEC shelters and terminating municipal contracts, questions concerning the availability of an animal cruelty investigation are rising.

"HSEC has been contracted with municipalities to shelter animals," Jones said. "That contract also included investigation of animal cruelty complaints and cases. With the contracts being terminated, our involvement with investigation of cruelty cases is also being terminated."

Jones said as part of HSEC she has hopes that involvement with animal protection can continue.

"People who fight dogs are the scourge of the earth," Jones said. "I hope to always be of help with investigations to stop this activity. I have been happy to consult on cases when I'm asked anywhere."

Lambert said the charges against Terrence McNeil from the June 2008 case have been settled, but charges in Autauga County are still pending against the pair.

"Terrence is on probation with Community Corrections and both of the McNeils are out on bond from Autauga County," Lambert said. "We are checking with officials in Autauga County to have their bond revoked."

Jones said investigations in cases like those against the McNeils need to continue to keep animals from being tortured.

"We have great dog fighting laws in Alabama," Jones said. "There is a misconception that unless we see them fighting we can't charge them. That's not the case, and we need to continue to be involved somehow to keep these cases down. With all the work we do to take care of animals, this kind of activity is just like a slap in the face."


Case Updates

The arrest last month of an Atmore man previously convicted on dog fighting charges has ended with a prison sentence this week.

Terrance McNeil was arrested in early May along with his twin brother, Terrell McNeil, after officers found the two in possession of a dog trained for fighting as well as paraphernalia associated with dog fighting practices.

A motion was entered in Escambia County's Circuit Court that found Terrance McNeil headed for a two-year stay with the Alabama Department of Corrections. His probation from a previous conviction has now been revoked and he will serve the balance of that split sentence in prison. The sentence was modified by the motion to provide that he be sentenced to 10 years in prison under a split sentence act. He will serve two years in prison and will be required to spend three years on state supervised probation.

Renee Jones, director of the Humane Society of Escambia County, assisted in the investigation that ended with the filing of this week's order.
Previously, Jones had said the evidence Terrance McNeil had in his possession was evidence that he had continued to engage in a crime he had previously been arrested for and convicted of in Escambia and Autauga counties.

"The McNeils are repeat offenders," Jones said. "People who fight dogs are the scourge of the earth. I hope to always be of help with investigations to stop this activity."
Escambia County Chief Deputy Mike Lambert had previously reported that both McNeil men were out on bond from similar charges in Autauga County when the May arrest was made.

"Terrence is on probation with Community Corrections here and both McNeil's are out on bond from Autauga County," Lambert said. "This is Terrance McNeil's third arrest on these kinds of charges."

The arrest in Escambia County put officials on the track of seeking to have bond revoked in Autauga County on both men, Lambert said.

In the order filed this week, Escambia County Sheriff Deputy Shane Ward testified that wile on routine patrol he observed a vehicle failing to give a turn signal and had not tag lights. When the vehicle was stopped for the violation, Terrance McNeil was identified as the driver. Ward discovered a pit bulldog in a metal cage inside the vehicle. The dog was fitted with a leather harness and had visible scars and old wounds. Also found in the vehicle were syringes believed to be used for administering medication to animals as well as chain and bolt cutters. These items are consistent with dog fighting activity.

Jones also testified that the dog seized from the vehicle was examined and she believed the dog to be trained and in "athletic state" of fitness.

In his previous conviction, Terrance McNeil was charged with committing the offense of dog fighting. With the arrest, he was deemed guilty of violating the code which states "a person is guilty of violating this code section of they own, possess, train or keep any dog with the intent that such dog shall be engaged in an exhibition of fighting with another dog."

The motion also states that at the end of the sentence of prison and probation periods he shall not own, possess, keep, tend, feed, train or have contact with any dog or animal that may be used for fighting nor shall he mistreat any animal.
The order was approved and signed by Circuit Judge Bradley Byrne.
Source: brewtonstandard.com - Jun 10, 2011
Update posted on Aug 1, 2011 - 7:11PM 
Bond has been revoked for twin brothers accused of dog fighting, and one is headed to prison.

Terrance and Terrell McNeil, 29, are both awaiting trial on dog fighting charges in Autauga counties. Terrance McNeil pleaded guilty to dog fighting in Atmore back in January. His community control sentence has also been revoked; he has been sentenced to two years in prison followed by probation.

An Escambia County (Ala.) Sheriff's Deputy conducted a traffic stop earlier this year and found Terrance McNeil in possession of a dog allegedly trained to fight, along with various dog fighting paraphernalia.
Source: northescambia.com - Jun 10, 2011
Update posted on Aug 1, 2011 - 7:01PM 

References

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