Dog-fighting Marion, OH (US) Incident Date: Saturday, May 31, 2003 County: Marion Local Map: available Disposition: Convicted Charges: Felony CTA Abuser/Suspect: Derick D. Oliver

Case ID: 7890 Classification: Fighting Animal: dog (pit-bull) View more cases in OH (US) Login to Watch this Case

A Marion man arrested on the night of March 29, 2006�after causing a scene at the Marion County Building said his actions were intentional. Derick D. Oliver, who was arrested after running from police, said he wanted to make a political statement about the negative image associated with pit bulls.

"I don't know any other animal bred and euthanized more than the pit bull," Oliver said during an interview the following day. "Someone needs to stand up for these dogs."

Oliver, who was walking two pit bulls on the afternoon of March 29, was stopped by Lt. B.J. Gruber with the Marion Police Department, near the intersection of South Prospect and Church streets. Gruber said he initially stopped Oliver for failing to muzzle the animals and failure to use chain-link leads as required by law, but recognized him from a 2003 case in which Oliver pleaded guilty to charges of dog fighting.

Oliver reportedly released the dogs from their leashes and ran toward the Marion County Building with his dogs following close behind. Gruber pursued him into the building where he drew his weapon and ordered Oliver to the floor. Oliver complied and was taken into custody. "I can't see my nice, gentle dogs having to be muzzled," Oliver said. "I'm not trying to do anything to conflict with the law."

Oliver's efforts to "gain equality for the pit bull," however, leave him facing four misdemeanor charges of obstructing official business, resisting arrest, inducing panic and possession of dangerous animals and sparked an investigation into possible dog fighting in the county.

Upon taking the two dogs into custody Wednesday, Lynn Lynn, director of the Human Society, said that scarring on one of the dogs led her to suspect that the animals had been used in illegal dog fighting. One of the dogs had just been registered with the county auditor's office Tuesday and lead the investigation to a home on Marion's south west side.

Police assisted Lynn in executing a search warrant at 197 1/2 Saint James Street on March 29 where a computer with a screen saver showing numerous pictures of pit bulls, dog fighting equipment, and injuries sustained to dogs as the apparent result of dog fighting was recovered. Police also discovered crack cocaine and related paraphernalia.

Two residents of that address, 19-year-old Brittany Rosvanis and 20-year-old Nicole Moberly, were arrested on felony charges of drug possession as well as on misdemeanor charges of child endangerment for leaving cocaine paraphernalia within reach of Rosvanis' three-year-old child.

Both women were arraigned in Marion Municipal Court Thursday and are in custody at the Multi-County Correctional Center on $2,500 bond. Assistant Marion County Prosecutor Rhonda Burgraff said both cases will be presented to the Marion County Common Pleas grand jury for possible indictment April 5. If convicted, both face a maximum sentence of 18 months in prison and a $3,500 fine.

Oliver posted $2,500 cash or corporate bond Wednesday and was released from the Multi-County Correctional Center. He is scheduled to be arraigned before Judge Teresa Ballinger in Marion Municipal Court at 1:30 p.m. April 4. If convicted, Oliver faces a maximum of two years in prison and a $4,000 fine.

Lynn said that the two dogs are being held at the Marion County Dog Pound as evidence in the case. She said that her investigation into possible dog fighting is still under investigation.

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References

	Marion Star - March 31, 2006
	Newspaper Network of Central Ohio - March 30, 2006

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