MI: Downriver man charged with running dogfighting ring is result of new state partnership

By JACKIE MARTIN | jmartin@medianewsgroup.com | News-Herald
PUBLISHED: October 14, 2022 at 2:49 p.m. | UPDATED: October 18, 2022 at 11:05 a.

A two-pronged partnership has formed to attack and prosecute crimes against animals, and a case against a River Rouge man was announced Thursday.

Kevin Lewis Warren, 52, is facing charges stemming from the joint efforts of the Michigan Department of Attorney General and Michigan Humane in Detroit.

Warren is accused of running an organized dogfighting ring.

State investigators and Michigan Humane allege Warren used Facebook accounts to post videos and pictures of animals for dogfights and to communicate about breeding, selling, and fighting dogs.

Warren was arraigned before 25th District Judge David Zelenak on three counts of animal fighting, a four-year felony and/or a $5,000 to $50,000 fine and/or 500 to 1,000 hours of community service.

Warren also is charged with one count of possessing fighting animals/equipment, also a four-year felony and/or $1,000 to $5,000 fine and/or 250 to 500 hours of community service.

Each charge also carries a prohibition on possessing or owning an animal for five years.

The organizations believe large-scale, multi-jurisdictional, well-organized fighting rings and similar operations require exceptional resources for investigation and prosecution.

The department will provide support and resources to Michigan Humane and its agents in pursuit of perpetrators.

“I know most Michiganders think of their pets as family members and subjecting those family members to abuse is incomprehensible,” Attorney General Dana Nessel said. “Animal abuse is cruel and sadistic. It is also a crime that is often associated with other serious criminal activity, including domestic violence, illegal possession of firearms, illegal gambling, drug possession and large-scale animal abuse and fighting rings. I am proud to partner with Michigan Humane to prosecute these offenders.”

Michigan Humane President and CEO Matt Pepper echoed those sentiments, saying animal cruelty isn’t an animal issue, it’s a human issue.

“The partnership between Michigan Humane and the Michigan Attorney General’s Office will strengthen our ability to address animal cruelty towards creating healthier and safer communities for everyone,” Pepper said.