34 dogs trained to fight Melbourne, FL (US) Incident Date: Wednesday, May 31, 2006 County: Brevard Local Map: available Disposition: Not Charged Persons of Interest: » George Holden » Robert Bray » Dedric Witherspoon Case Updates: 1 update(s) available

Case ID: 9780 Classification: Fighting Animal: dog (non pit-bull), dog (pit-bull) View more cases in FL (US) Drugs or alcohol involved Login to Watch this Case

As 34 aggressive dogs remain caged at the Brevard County Animal Service Adoption Center, fighting with one another and biting workers, a judge ruled that the owners will not regain custody of their dogs and may never own animals again.

In what county attorneys described as the longest animal custody hearing in Brevard history, George Holden and his nephews, Robert Bray and Dedric Witherspoon, were accused of training 34 dogs, many of them pit bulls, for fighting. Officials pointed to fight rings, a training carousel and a dog-sized cement pool in Holden's backyard as proof of such activity.

The animals were taken into custody in June by Brevard County Animal Services and Enforcement after Melbourne police raided Holden's home in search of drugs and stolen property. Once inside the three-acre compound, police found dozens of dogs with bite wounds, open sores, fleas and worms.

Judge Kelly McKibben ruled that the men are "unable to provide for and unfit to have custody of the animals," which include the dogs, 10 rabbits, four birds and two turtles.

The men's attorney, Robin Lemonidis, has 30 days to appeal the decision. She said Monday she had not spoken to her clients and did now know what she would do.

"The judge made her decision based on her perception of the evidence," Lemonidis said. "I'm disappointed with the ruling. I disagree with it."

Lemonidis had argued in court that the dogs were used for hog hunting, although Holden, who owned most of the animals, had no hunting license. Most of the dogs didn't have licenses, either.

The ruling also gives animal services legal custody of the menagerie. Spokesman Bob Brown said they can't do anything with them until the appeal period ends.

"They'll be held until all the processing is done on the case and then they'll test them for adoptability," he said.

One of the dogs recently bit a kennel worker but was not euthanized because it was part of a court case.

Assistant County Attorney Morris Richardson said his office hopes to work out a deal with Lemonidis to avoid an appeal.

"These dogs are taking up a lot of room in the shelter and have been problem animals," Richardson said. "They are very aggressive, and continue to try to fight each other and other dogs."

Holden still faces a trial on multiple drug and theft charges in Melbourne.

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Florida Today - Oct 10, 2006

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