Dog-fighting alleged - 6 dogs seized Marion, IN (US) Incident Date: Friday, Feb 24, 2006 County: Grant Local Map: available Disposition: Alleged Charges: Felony CTA Alleged: Kevin Deonne Jackson Upcoming Court Dates: » Monday, Nov 5, 2007: jury trial Case Updates: 3 update(s) available

Case ID: 7485 Classification: Fighting Animal: dog (pit-bull) View more cases in IN (US) Drugs or alcohol involved Login to Watch this Case

A dog-fighting operation, hundreds of grams of marijuana and 20 marijuana plants were discovered in a Marion home while police were trying to serve an arrest warrant there late Thursday night, officers said.

Police and members of the Joint Effort Against Narcotics task force are now looking for Kevin Jackson, 24, 107 E. Webster Ave., the man who they say is responsible for the evidence uncovered in his home.

JEAN team Detective Sgt. Mark Stefanatos said officers went to Jackson's home at about 6 p.m. Thursday to serve an arrest warrant on a misdemeanor charge of driving while suspended.

"There were two canines ... set up to cover both doors so no one could approach either door, and there was also a video surveillance camera at the front door," Stefanatos said.

The dogs apparently did their job, barking and running repeatedly at officers as they approached the home. Police called animal control officers from the Marion-Grant County Humane Society to assist with the dogs.

A woman who was inside the house came out and was able to control one of the dogs. Stefanatos said she told police that Jackson was not inside.

The woman allowed police to go inside to look for Jackson, and during their search they found a marijuana plant in a bedroom as well as an SKS assault rifle. They also found marijuana in the kitchen.

At about 7 p.m., as rain began to fall, investigators from the JEAN team and Marion police officers waited on the front porch of the home for a search warrant. While they waited, investigators and animal control officers searched the outside of the home and attempted to avoid two barking pit bulls that continuously charged at officers.

"This is ridiculous," Stefanatos said as a JEAN team member sprayed one of the dogs with pepper spray. "These (dogs) are dangerous."

While two dogs were loaded into humane society trucks, animal control officers found evidence of dog fighting.

"I do believe that dog fighting is going on," said Don Mathias, animal control officer with the Grant County Humane Society. "With the evidence collected and being analyzed right now by professionals, dog fighting charges could easily be obtained."

Mathias said animal control officers found bite sticks - tools that are used to pry the jaws of dogs apart after they have clamped down on another dog - along the side of a chain link fence penning up several of the pit bulls. He also said one of the dogs had scars on it that could have been sustained from dog fighting.

More disturbing than the bite sticks and wounded animal were photographs of mutilated and dead dogs that were found during the search.

With what they believed was evidence of dog fighting in hand, animal control officers removed a total of six pit bulls from the property. None were severely injured, and Mathias said that as of Friday the animals were being held at the humane society shelter.

Mathias said he believes dog fighting is occurring in Grant County, but that it has become more hidden than in the past.

"We aren't seeing the signs (of dog fighting) as much," Mathias said. "Last year, the signs were not as much, but the year before, the signs were more (apparent) of dog fighting happening in Grant County."

According to Mathias, possible signs of dog fighting include multiple pit bulls at one location with heavy chains securing them, scarring on the dogs, and people coming in and out of a residence with pit bulls.

After police received a search warrant, JEAN team officers discovered 517 grams of marijuana packaged in bundles for sale, Stefanatos said. He said the marijuana had a street value of $3,050.

They also found $2,500 in cash and 20 individual marijuana plants ranging in size from about 6 inches to 4 feet tall. The plants were discovered in a hidden room in the basement of the home.

"The grow operation had working lights, fans, plant food and water," Stefanatos said. "It was obvious the plants had been tended to on a regular basis."

Friday afternoon, Stefanatos said Jackson was wanted only on a warrant for driving while suspended, but added that he would be speaking with the Grant County prosecutor's office about several other felony charges.

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References

	Chronicle Tribune - February 24, 2006
	Chronicle-Tribune - Feb 19, 2006

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