MI: Animals seized in dogfighting investigation

SPRINGFIELD - Two dogs were seized Friday as part of an ongoing dogfighting investigation by the Calhoun County Sheriff Department.

Deputies went to a home at 620 Lafayette St. looking for a 26-year-old man who had an unrelated warrant, said Lt. Dan Latta.

As they were searching for the man, Latta said they found evidence of dog fighting. They obtained a search warrant for the home and at 3:35 p.m. used a sledgehammer to break through the front door of the house.

No one was home but Latta said officers found two pit bull terriers and a treadmill, which they said was used to train the dogs for fighting.
Animals seized in dogfighting investigation
Trace Christenson , Battle Creek Enquirer Published 5:33 p.m. ET June 16, 2017 | Updated 5:57 p.m. ET June 16, 2017

Latta said he expects investigators will seek charges for the man.

The search warrant came on the same day that a dogfighting warrant was issued for Ryan Aggers, 31, who lives next door to the house that was searched.


Aggers is charged in a warrant issued Friday with three counts of animal fighting, one count of having equipment used for animal fighting and one count of animal cruelty.

Latta said the charges stem from an investigation that began in April when deputies seized five dogs and some equipment at Aggers' home at 624 Lafayette St. after obtaining a search warrant.

Aggers has not been arrested, Latta said.

Latta said the warrants for Aggers and the search warrant for his next door neighbor are part of an ongoing investigation and he expects charges against others will be sought and it will extend beyond Springfield.

"Dogfighting is a lot more prevalent and bigger than people suspect," Latta said.

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