Jeffrey T. Langley and Jeremy Clarke

Dogfighting

Neenah, WI Winnebego County

July 13, 2005

Bruce Wintrow, Jr. testified on Tuesday, August 8^th, the he led his children into the kitchen of Jeffrey Langley’s apartment out of concern that two Pit Bulls fighting – one owned by Langley and the other owned by Jeremy Clark - would injure them, shortly after they arrived to look at puppies.

Langley is on trial on one felony count of being party to the crime of instigating an animal fight.

Clarke has also been charged with being party to the crime of instigating an animal fight and faces a separate trial scheduled for November 14^th.

Two juvenile boys also testified that Langley’s dog fought a neighbor’s dog in Langley’s living room on July 13, 2005, shortly after the boys and their father arrived to look at puppies.

Langley’s attorney, Len Kuchinsky, argued the incident was not intentional, but was a case of two dogs that got out of control and took several minutes for the owners to bring back under control. Kuchinsky stated his defense also rests on exactly what constitutes a fight. Kuchinsky contended that the incident was not anything that was set up by Langley or Clarke, it was simply two dogs that got together.

Clarke testified, under immunity, on Tuesday afternoon and stated he did not root his dog on in the fight and tried to break the incident up as soon as it began. He also stated there was no arrangement to have the dogs fight for entertainment purposes.

The trial continues on Thursday, August 9^th with further testimony and closing statements before the jury is expected to begin deliberations.

Update August 9, 2006:

Clarke, age 19 of Appleton and Langley, 28 of Kimberly face charges of being a party to animal fights  and could face prison time upon conviction.  Clarke gave testimony in Langley's trial under immunity.

 Source:

The Northwestern

Capital Times

Wisconsin State Journal