Dog-fighting - 4 dogs, one puppy seized Columbus, OH (US) Incident Date: Tuesday, Aug 2, 2005 County: Franklin Local Map: available Disposition: Alleged Charges: Felony CTA Case Images: 10 files available Alleged: » Jeffrey Patterson » Bekari Jvonne Thomas Case Updates: 1 update(s) available

Case ID: 5260 Classification: Fighting Animal: dog (pit-bull) View more cases in OH (US) Login to Watch this Case

The Franklin County's Sheriff's Office and Animal Control said they busted a dog-fighting operation on Aug 2 in the Hilltop area, NBC 4's Nancy Burton reported. Dog owner Jeffrey Patterson, 22, said there was nothing illegal happening at the house, and the pit bulls were being trained for competition, not dog fighting.

The Sheriff's Office said it's heard that line before.

Patterson was arrested and charged with dog fighting and four counts of cruelty to companion animals.

Authorities took four pit bulls and one puppy from 342 Clarendon Avenue.

"I feel we have sufficient evidence to prosecute the case," said undercover sheriff's deputy Dave Hunt.

Hunt said they dogs were being used for fighting. He said they seized treadmills, weight sleds and harnesses from the home.

Hunt said one of the male pit bulls has a scar, which will also serve as evidence.

"(There were) numerous neighborhood complaints, not only to our agency, but to the Capital Area Humane Society and Animal Control," Hunt said.

Authorities said none of the dogs had food or water.

Patterson's brother BJ Thomas said he owns the dogs.

He said it was wrong for the sheriff's office to arrest Patterson.

"Every person in the neighborhood can vouch they're not vicious dogs," Thomas said.

Thomas said his dogs were in training for weight pulls, and he has awards to prove it.

"They know I don't do dog fighting. The Humane Society has been here. I'm not dog fighting," Thomas said.

Hunt said other people could be charged in the next few weeks.

He said because of beefed-up enforcement, many pit bull dog-fighting operations have moved out of Franklin County to surrounding areas.

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NBC Channel 4 - Aug 3, 2005

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