A noise complaint led Leon County Deputies to a dogfight in progress on Sand Dollar Lane off of Chaires Cross Road, said Sgt. Steve Norville with the Leon County Sheriff’s Office.

“Neighbors called in to say there was loud music in a vacant lot,” said Norville, “when they showed up, several people ran off into the woods. Three were caught.”

The three men are 23-year-old Lonnie Brantum, who facing charges of dog fighting and possession of less than 20 grams of cannabis, 32-year-old Shawn Antonio Washington, who has been charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, carrying a concealed firearm, dog fighting and possession of cocaine and cannabis with intent to sell.

The third man arrested was 28-year-old Melvin Moore who faces charges of dog fighting. Moore also has a grand-theft warrant out of Gadsden County, Norville said.

Two pit-bull mixes with bite wounds were confiscated, said Richard Ziegler, the director of Leon County Animal Control, and transported to a local veterinarian where they are receiving treatment.

Lonnie Brantum     Melvin Moore     Shawn Washington (Photo's courtesy of Leon County Sheriff's Office)

“My understanding is there were more dogs there but that they ran away with their owners,” he said.

“You’d be surprised how common these types of cases are,” said Ziegler, “but catching them in the act--that doesn’t happen too often.”

After they are treated for their injuries the dogs will be impounded at the animal shelter and monitored while deputies build their case, said Ziegler.

Reference:

The Tallahassee Democrat

The Leon County Sheriff's Office