A Floyd County man has been charged with felony dogfighting and misdemeanor cruelty to animals after six pit bulls were seized by animal control on Dec. 23, police said.
Dominique Ladell Porter, 25, a press worker with the Rome News-Tribune, was arrested today around 5:30 p.m.and charged with six felony counts of dogfighting and six misdemeanor counts of cruelty to animals, Floyd County police reported.
The charges stem from an investigation by Floyd County Police Sgt. Dan Bickers.
According to police:
Police were notified by Floyd County Animal Control officers who had been called to the scene at 51 Jones Road. An agent of a private investigations firm, hired by the Humane Society, had done surveillance of the residence after he received a tip about possible dogfighting at the Jones Road address.
The six pit bulldogs discovered at the scene exhibited scarring and injuries consistent with animals that have been involved in dogfighting. The animals were emaciated and in overall very poor health. A representative from the Sterile Feral assisted Bickers and animal control in the recovery of the dogs. The animals were turned over to animal control by police, and an investigation ensued to establish the identity of the owner of the dogs.
It was determined that the dogs belonged to Porter, who had engaged the dogs dogfighting.
Porter willfully caused unjustifiable physical pain and suffering to the dogs by neglecting to provide the animals with proper nourishment and medical care. The animals were taken to the Floyd County Animal Shelter, where they received treatment for their wounds from veterinarians. The dogs have been cared for at the shelter while the investigation continues.
Click here to see a previous story about the incident.
Click here to read about the recovery of the dogs.
See Friday's Rome News-Tribune for more information.
|
|
No Related links found
|
