GA: Dog fighting investigation ongoing in Dougherty County

By Jennifer Parks

jennifer.parks@albanyherald.com
Updated 20 hrs ago (0)

ALBANY — The Dougherty County Police Department said Thursday that a dog fighting investigation is still under way following the seizure of two dozen animals on Hardup Road nearly three weeks ago.

An investigation was initiated following a tip that came on March 13 that dog fighting was possibly taking place at 6130 Hardup Road, owned by Clinton Trice.

Capt. Tom Jackson with the DCPD said search warrants were issued this week and several arrests have been made as part of the original scope of the investigation, the latest arrest being on Thursday morning. Jackson said most of the individuals have since bonded out, and that the Dougherty District Attorney’s Office is involved in finalizing the case and working toward a prosecution.

He described the investigation as one with “multiple moving parts,” and that investigators are currently building on evidence as part of a process he said would take some time to put together. He also said more details would be made available regarding the investigation, which involves seizing of assets and conducting interviews, when it comes to a close.

Jackson made clear the overall intention of the investigation, which was to make sure people know dog fighting is an illegal and inhumane practice that would not be tolerated.

“It won’t be tolerated in Dougherty County,” he said.

Lt. Chad Kirkpatrick with DCPD told The Albany Herald on March 14 that officers arrived at the residence to find several dogs restrained, none of which were fighting. At some point, two pit bulls that has facial injuries came toward the officers.

In all, Kirkpatrick said, 24 dogs were found on the property. The animals were all cut from their chains and seized by Dougherty County Animal Control. A shift report from the Albany Fire Department said the agency was called in to help break the restraints on the dogs so that they could be taken.

The two dogs that approached the officers appeared to be the only ones with visible injuries at the time of the seizure.

http://www.albanyherald.com/news/local/public_safety/dog-fighting-investigation-ongoing-in-dougherty-county/article_26c924f5-87b7-57ea-ac74-a503f96d20ef.html