A tip to the Nebraska Humane Society led to the arrest Monday of two women and one man on suspicion of animal cruelty and dogfighting. Humane Society officials impounded three dogs, all pit bulls, after conducting the search in the 2000 block of North 25th Street just after 9 a.m.
Scott Wilson, cruelty investigator for the Humane Society, said one of the pit bulls had bites to the face, neck and legs. The second was severely underweight, and the third had minor scars.
The Omaha Police Department assisted in serving the warrant.
"There were multiple blood stains in the basement, patterns consistent with animal fighting. We had the evidence in clear sight and the animals."
He said authorities were seeking a second man who wasn't present at the search.
It was the second time this year that Humane Society officials acted after receiving a tip from the dogfighting tip line (444- 7800), spokeswoman Pam Wiese said.
The first tip resulted in the impounding of one dog and the filing of a charge of animal cruelty, a misdemeanor, against an Omaha woman. Case UpdatesCharges against accused dog-fighters Edward Vawser, Bruce Vawser, Christener Lamb, and Kimberly Hansen were dismissed due to "lack of evidence". A key witness to the case, Kendell Tealer, was killed in late November 2005 while he and another man attempted to rob a jewelry store at gunpoint. Tealer was shot and killed by the owner of the store.
The animal cruelty charges date back to October 2004, when authorities seized three injured and emaciated pit bulls from an Omaha home. According to Omaha police, "There were multiple blood stains in the basement, patterns consistent with animal fighting. We had the evidence in clear sight and the animals."
Tealer had allegedly witnessed Bruce Vawser fight dogs on at least three separate occasions. According to reports, authorities were contacted when Tealer and Vawser were involved in a dispute over ownership of puppies born as a result from the two men breeding their dogs. Tealer also faced animal cruelty charges for the severe neglect of his puppies.
The charges against Hansen and Lamb were dismissed in June of 2005. The charges against Bruce and Edward Vawser were dismissed pursuant to plea agreements in other criminal cases in July of 2006. | | Update posted on Feb 15, 2007 - 9:58PM |
A key witness to this case, Kendall Tealer, was killed in late November 2005 while he and another man attempted to rob Benson Jewelry and Loan at gunpoint. The owner of the store shot Tealer, killing him. The other man involved in the robbery was injured.
Tealer's death leaves investigators unsure if the county attorney will have enough evidence to move forward with the case against Vawser. | Source: KETV - Nov 30, 2005
Update posted on Dec 1, 2005 - 6:38PM |
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