Dog-fighting Lorain, OH (US) Incident Date: Thursday, Jul 27, 2006 County: Lorain Local Map: available Disposition: Convicted Charges: Misdemeanor Abusers/Suspects: » Dante J. Parker » Ramero C. Parker » Jason A. Evans » Tiawan J. Taylor Case Updates: 4 update(s) available

Case ID: 9659 Classification: Fighting Animal: dog (pit-bull) View more cases in OH (US) Login to Watch this Case

Four Lorain men suspected of holding dog fighting matches in a South Lorain garage have been indicted for animal cruelty, but they will not face felony charges and have had their cases sent back to municipal court.

The indictments stem from a July 27 report police received regarding possible dog fighting going on in a vacant garage on East 32nd Street. When police arrived, they heard men yelling and dogs barking and whining, according to a police report. The dogs had fresh cuts on their faces and other wounds to their legs and neck, police said.

Jack Szlempa, Lorain County dog warden, said two male pit bulls involved in the incident had to be euthanized that same day due to the seriousness of their injuries. One pit bull was brown and the other was a mix of black and brown, he said.

''A set of each of (the men) had a dog,'' said Assistant Prosecutor Dave Muhek. ''They decided to see if they would fight.''

Dante J. Parker, 25, 425 E. 34th St.; Ramero C. Parker, 21, 219 E. 32nd St.; Jason A. Evans, 21, 824 W. 14th St.; and Tiawan J. Taylor, 25, 1831 W. 19 St., all were charged with breaking and entering and cruelty to animals.

Dante Parker told police they were at the home to do cleanup work and mow the lawn, but police found no lawn mower or equipment on the property.

Szlempa said he hears about dog fighting happening in Lorain County but said it often is not reported to authorities.

''We know it goes on, but it is hard to catch,'' he said.

The prosecutor's office does not often see felony cases related to dog fighting in the county, Muhek said.

The cases were sent back to Lorain Municipal Court because the grand jury did not indict the men on felony charges, he said. The breaking and entering charges were dismissed.

The cruelty to animals charge, a misdemeanor, carries a maximum penalty of 90 days in prison and up to $750 in fines.

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References

The Morning Journal - Sept 22, 2006

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