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Case #1920 Rating: 5.0 out of 5
Dog-fighting - six dogs seized
Port St Lucie, FL (US)Incident Date: Friday, Jan 23, 2004
County: Saint Lucie
Charges: Felony CTA
Disposition: Convicted
Case Images: 7 files available
Defendants/Suspects:
» Margaret C. Hester - Alleged
» Robert James Hester
St. Lucie County Sheriff Mascara announces arrest of two in Port St. Lucie for drug dealing and torturing dogs to train them for fighting.
St. Lucie County Sheriff's drug investigators making a drug arrest at a home in Port St. Lucie also found six pit bull terrier dogs that had been used for dog fighting, said Sheriff Ken J. Mascara.
One of the dogs had been used for "dog baiting" and mauled by other dogs, the Sheriff said. "The most seriously injured dog had most of its face chewed off," the Sheriff said. "This was a sickening display of animal cruelty at its most sadistic and inhuman." The other five dogs were emaciated and had wounds from dog fighting.
Deputies placed all six dogs in the care of the Humane Society of Fort Pierce where veterinary specialists are treating them, the Sheriff said. Humane Society officials said the most seriously injured dog was not in pain from the facial injuries, but that the severity of the injuries would require euthanization of the animal. "We have had a continuing investigation under way into organized dog-fighting rings operated by drug dealers traveling all over the state," the Sheriff said. "We will continue this investigation in hopes of finding those responsible for these reprehensible and disgusting acts of cruelty."
Arrested on charges of marijuana possession with intent to sell, animal cruelty and animal fighting or baiting were: Margaret C. Hester, 45, and Robert James Hester, 43, both of 2262 S.E. Shipping Road, Port St. Lucie. Both also were arrested on drug charges.
Margaret Hester was at the home when detectives served a search warrant. Robert Hester drove up to the home after investigators had arrived. He had several grams of cocaine in his pocket worth an estimated $500. Deputies arrested him on additional charges of possession of cocaine and drug paraphernalia. Marijuana found at the home is worth an estimated $1,500. Attached are booking photos of the two defendants and photos of the animal cruelty.
Margaret Hester posted $23,000 bond this morning and was released from the St. Lucie County jail pending future court proceedings. As of late Friday morning, Robert Hester remained confined at the St. Lucie County jail under $28,500 bond. References- St. Lucie County Sheriff's Dept - News Release: r012304a
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