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Jun 13, 2006 10:35 pm US/Central
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Firefighter Accused Of Running Dog Fight Ring
Carlton Davis Jr. Faces More Than Two Dozen Charges
by Suzanne Le Mignot
GARY, Ind. (CBS) ―
A Northwest Indiana firefighter has been busted for allegedly running a dog fighting ring.
CBS 2 first broke this story last month when officers found more than a dozen injured animals.
CBS 2's Suzanne Le Mignot reports Carlton Davis, Jr. now faces more than two dozen charges.
The 33-year-old firefighter turned himself in to Lake County authorities on Tuesday. Hours earlier, officials announced a 26-count indictment against Davis. They say he was running a dog fighting ring on his property.
"In this case, in this matter, which I find one of the extreme cases of inhumane treatment of dogs in our community that I've seen in my entire career," said Lake County Sheriff Roy Dominguez.
Police came to Davis' home last month. A neighbor called 911 after smelling a foul odor and finding starving and battered pit bulls in the yard. The animals had no food or water. They were tied to 55-gallon drums with heavy chains. Police also discovered a euthanasia device to electrocute dogs, as well as a dog treadmill.
"It's a profit-generated organization, profit-generating contest that is going on in addition to the cruelty to the animals," said prosecutor Bernard Carter.
One dead dog was found on the property. Investigators also removed 15 grown dogs and one puppy. The dogs remain in the county shelter, held as evidence against Davis.
Davis is charged with animal cruelty, staging and promoting animal fights and other violations.
Davis says he's not guilty. Detectives say the evidence indicates otherwise.
"When you look at the totality of everything, and we've been in contact with the Humane Society, what we have here is a classic case," Det. Michelle Weaver said.
Police said somebody tried to steal the dogs from the Lake County Animal Adoption and Control Center over the weekend. The dogs are being moved to other shelters for safety. Police were able to catch images on surveillance tape.
"I did receive an anonymous phone tip last Thursday that someone would be trying to gain access to the animals and break them out," said Weaver.
Davis is being held on $145,000 bond. If found guilty, he could face decades behind bars.
Police say tips also indicate the scope of this investigation could be widening.
(CBS 2 and the Post-Tribune are news partners covering stories in the communities of northwest Indiana. If you know of stories happening in this region, contact us.