Dog-fighting - 7 dogs seized
Raleigh, NC (US)Incident Date: Wednesday, Jun 9, 2004
County: Wake
Disposition: Alleged
Alleged: Elgato W. Savage
Investigators discovered one dog dead and another seriously injured in a case of alleged dog fighting in Johnston County, according to police. In all, authorities seized seven dogs.
Investigators believe the scars on the seized dogs come from the illegal underground sport. One dog's leg was severed and infected, with a bone exposed. Another dog -- already dead -- was still chained to a doghouse in the back yard, police said.
The dogs' owner, 26-year-old Elgato Savage, of Clayton, is charged with animal cruelty and dog fighting.
Johnston County Sheriff Steve Bizzell called it the worst animal cruelty case he's seen.
"Dog fighting and animal cruelty won't be tolerated," he said.
But because of the law, there's nothing Bizzell can do right now for the seriously injured dog, now at a local animal hospital.
"I was told the leg needs to be amputated, but the owner says he wants his dogs back," Bizzell said. "Stuck between a rock and a hard place."
He said that since the dogs are evidence, including two rottweiler puppies, they're considered property, and Bizzell needs the owner's permission to have a veterinarian operate or euthanize.
Bizzell said he's working with the district attorney to find out what action he can take to do what's best for the animals. References« NC State Animal Cruelty Map
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