| Carlton Davis,
Jr. |
Firefighter
charged with dog-fighting |
Gary, IN |
May
29, 2006 |
Lake County Animal
Control officers found 16 hungry and thirsty pit bulls in a Gary firefighter’s backyard on Monday, May 29th.
He is suspected of fighting pit bull dogs in a barn. The dogs were found
to be in conditions of neglect and appeared to be taught to fight. Some of
the dogs displayed bite marks. Lake County Animal Control Officers stated
that except for a puppy, several of the young dogs would likely be euthanized.
County
Sheriff Rogelio Dominguez stated that though they
might not be aggressive toward humans, due to their history, it might be too
risky to put them back into the community.
Further examination
revealed carcasses of six dead dogs in plastic bags, in the back of a truck.
(Photo courtesy of NBC News 5) Davis is the property owner, is a seven-year veteran
of the Gary Fire Department. He is expected to face felony charges for illegal
gambling and the ownership of dog fighting paraphernalia.
(Photo’s courtesy of NBC News
5 and Stephanie Dowell, the Post Tribune)
Update: 6/4/06
A Merrillville woman discovered that among the 16 pit bulls
seized by police from a Gary firefighter’s property was one of her dogs
stolen from her home three years ago. This has prompted the Lake County
Police to post photos of the confiscated pit bulls on their web site.
Last week, Lake
County Police found 16 chained pit bulls in the firefighter’s backyard after
a neighbor heard the dogs barking and realized he had not seen anyone on the
property for more than one week. Authorities also found six dead pit bulls,
a treadmill, bloody collars and a six-week workout schedule for the dogs.
Lake County Police are receiving an increased number of phone calls from area
residents expressing concerns that many of the pit bulls may have been stolen.
At this time, none
of the dogs are scheduled to be euthanized. They will be cared for by Animal
Control Officers and considered as case evidence.
Update: 6/7/06
16 pit bulls rescued
from a Gary firefighter’s home have completed temperament
testing by the Chicagoland Bully Breed Rescue Group.
A Board Member for the breed rescue, Tracy Gibson
stated that 14 of the 16 dogs
passed the test on Monday, June 5th. Gibson stated that the Child and Pet Relief Fund
contracted her rescue organization about temperament testing for the dogs.
The tests performed by this agency are certified. Humane euthanasia
for the two dogs that did not pass has been recommended. This recommendation
was reached based on the dogs’ aggression toward other animals, not towards
humans.
Each dog was walked
before being tested to human contact reaction. Each dog was fed and tested
for food aggression. Gibson also sated that the dogs’ response was phenomenal
based on their history and as their health continues to improve, many of them
should be safe to adopt at the end of the case investigation.
Update: 6/27/06
Carlton Davis, Jr.,
33, a city firefighter alleged to be raising fighting dogs and having run
dog fights on his property, visited several pit bulls at the Lake County Animal
Control Shelter on Monday, June 26th under the watchful eyes of
investigators and an animal handler.
Davis has been charged with felony counts of promoting
or staging an animal fighting contests and buying/possessing an animal for
a fighting contest.
Davis layed with each of his dogs individually
during his two-hour visit at the shelter.
Reference:
| United
Press International |
South
Bend Tribune |
North
West Indiana News |
| Fort
Wayne News Sentinel |
Chicago Sun Times |
NBC
Channel 5 TV |