Case Details

Dog-fighting - 32 dogs seized
Keystone Heights, FL (US)

Incident Date: Tuesday, Dec 23, 2003
County: Clay
Local Map: available
Disposition: Alleged
Case Images: 1 files available

Alleged: Joseph K. Lewis

Case Updates: 1 update(s) available

Case ID: 1890
Classification: Fighting, Neglect / Abandonment
Animal: dog (non pit-bull), dog (pit-bull)
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Clay County authorities are investigating an animal abuse case involving 32 dogs they believe were being trained for fighting and neglected in the process.

Sheriff's officials found the dogs Tuesday at the home of Joseph Lewis, 41, 6410 Jones Creek Road in Keystone Heights, said Mary Justino, Clay County sheriff's spokeswoman. Authorities were there investigating a grand-theft case.

They found the dogs chained to each other or to trees, Justino said. They had very little food or water and no shelter.

"A lot of them were malnourished," she said. "You could see their ribs."

At least six of the dogs had severe injuries that could only be explained by dog fighting, including scarred mouths, noses and throats, broken front paws and broken legs, Justino added.

One of the dogs has since died of malnutrition. It had been eating hay because it had nothing else to eat, she said.

Lewis did his own veterinary work on the animals, though he isn't a veterinarian, Justino said. They were found with unprofessionally bandaged legs and stitched wounds.

"You find that with fighting dogs because if you took the dogs to a reputable vet, they'd be required to report (the injuries)," Justino said.

Authorities believe Lewis trained the dogs on his property but took them out of Clay County and out of state to fight them.

Officials there will help decide what to charge Lewis with, Justino said. Lewis was being held in the Clay County jail Wednesday on grand-theft charges.

Authorities took the dogs to the Animal Control Center near Green Cove Springs. There were 30 pit bulls and two chows, Justino said. Veterinarians there are treating the dogs' injuries. The dogs are being held as evidence. After the investigation is over, animal control officials will decide if the dogs can be adopted out, Justino said. But it doesn't look promising, she added.

"These dogs were bred to attack other dogs," Justino said. "They have serious socialization issues."

Anyone who has information about this case or about dog-fighting activities that leads to an arrest can remain anonymous and collect a reward of up to $1,000 by calling Crime Stoppers at (866) 845-TIPS (8477).

Case Updates

Charges of fighting and/or baiting dogs and felony animal cruelty have been added to those pending against Joseph K. Lewis, 41, of Keystone Heights in what is thought to be the largest animal cruelty case ever investigated in Clay County.
Update posted on Jan 9, 2004 - 3:00PM 

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References

Gainesville Sun - Dec 25, 2003
Bradford County Telegraph
The Advocate - Jan 1, 2005

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