TN: TBI, Cheatham County Sheriff's Office arrest four in animal cruelty case

TBI, Cheatham County Sheriff's Office arrest four in animal cruelty case
4:33 PM, Jan 8, 2013

NASHVILLE, TENN. — The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation and the Cheatham County Sheriff’s Office arrested four individuals after they were indicted by the Cheatham County grand jury Monday on multiple counts of animal cruelty stemming from a dog fighting operation that was discovered in Ashland City, Tenn., in November 2012, according to a news release from TBI.

James Callis, 31, of 1823 Marowbone Road, Ashland City, was charged with one count of animal fighting, 60 counts of cruelty to animals and one count of aggravated cruelty to animals, according to the release. Gary Phelps, 50, of 118 West McQuarry St. in Ashland City, was charged with one count of animal fighting, 60 counts of cruelty to animals and one count of aggravated cruelty to animals.

The third subject, Arsenio Williams, 29, of 915 12th Ave. North, Nashville, was charged with one count of animal fighting, 60 counts of cruelty to animals and one count of aggravated cruelty to animals, according to the release.

Avery Bell, 54, of 1015 Buckeye Road, Ashland City, was charged with one count of animal fighting, one count of aggravated cruelty to animals, 60 counts of cruelty to animals, setting fire to personal property and burning without a permit, according to the release. Bell and Phelps are cousins, and all four subjects are friends.

On Nov. 22, 2012, the Cheatham County Fire Department responded to a brush fire at Bell’s residence on Buckeye Road, where they discovered numerous dogs chained in the woods, according to the release.

Cheatham County Animal Control removed approximately 60 dogs in various stages of health that also showed signs of fighting, according to the release. A search warrant was executed shortly after the dogs were removed from the property, and dog fighting paraphernalia was found on the property, including a treadmill, a spring pole and a weighted sled.

All four individuals were booked into the Cheatham County Jail on $50,000 bond each.

http://www.theleafchronicle.com/article/20130108/NEWS01/301080040/-1/rss