Dog-fighting - stolen dogs used as bait - Tyler, TX

Thursday, Mar 10, 2005

County: Smith

Charges: Misdemeanor
Disposition: Alleged

Alleged: Demarcus Keshawn Johnson

Tyler police have arrested an 18-year-old Tyler man for dog fighting and theft after their investigation showed the man allegedly stole dogs from backyards around the city, taped their mouths shut and then tossed them into face his pit bull dogs for training purposes.

Don Martin, Tyler Police Department public information officer, said Demarcus Keshawn Johnson was arrested on the misdemeanor charges of dog fighting and theft.

One animal control worker at the time described the discovery of what appears to be a Tyler resident's operation allowing pit bulldogs to kill other people's pets as "unbelievable."

Gary Chambers, field supervisor for Tyler Animal Control, said the scene on March 10 was the worst animal cruelty he had seen in Tyler.

Chambers said that it appears the residents of the home were stealing other peoples' pets to train the pit bulls to fight.

But other evidence at the scene made the discovery even more sickening.

"It appears these folks were stealing people's pets to condition the pit bulls for fighting. They were duct-taping the other animals' mouths shut before they were put into the ring with the pit bulls," he said.

Chambers said that as he and other animal control officers dug up the remains of six dogs, they were able to identify some of the animals by dog collars.

Officials also took nine pit bulls and one kitten from the scene and placed them at the Humane Society of Smith County.

Smith County Jail records indicate Johnson was released on bonds totaling $15,000.

Tyler police ask anyone with additional information in the case to call the Tyler Police Department at (903) 531-1000 or Crimestoppers at (903) 597-2833.

To contact the prosecutor in this case, asking for vigorous prosecution and maximum sentence if convicted:
The Honorable Matt Bingham
Criminal District Attorney, Smith County
200 E. Ferguson St., Ste. 300
Tyler, TX 75702

References

• KLTV - March 24, 2005
• Tyler Morning Telegraph - March 24, 2005
• ABC News - March 25, 2005

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