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Rescued Dogs Cannot Be Adopted

Police Discovered Dogs In Apparent Fighting Ring

CALUMET TOWNSHIP, Ind. (Post-Tribune) ― The 16 thirsty pit bulls chained in a swampy plot beyond Carlton Davis Jr.'s back yard in Calumet Township are getting water, food and tender care from Lake County Animal Control and Shelter workers.

For most of them, it will be their last home.

"They have been conditioned to be very aggressive toward other animals. I don't think we will be able to place most of them," Director Matt Lubarski said Tuesday.

Police on Monday seized the dogs and discovered numerous carcasses, fighting gear and paperwork showing workout schedules and plans for "game day."

On Tuesday, a contractor hired by Lake County was removing the dead animals stored on Davis' property in the 3700 block of West 48th Place in Calumet Township.

Except for a puppy and one or two young dogs, the pit bulls are probably beyond rehabilitation, Lubarski said.

"If I wouldn't take that dog home, I wouldn't expect others to adopt it," he said.

Mayor Rudy Clay said Tuesday he was appalled by news reports of the discovery.

"First of all, I am an animal lover. What I saw and hear, I don't condone it," Clay said.

Clay declined to comment on the criminal investigation or any departmental charges that could be lodged against Davis.

Lake County Detective Michelle Weaver is preparing evidence to present to prosecutors this week. She said she would seek felony charges, including cruelty to animals, against Davis, a seven-year veteran of the Gary Fire Department.

Davis is not related to the Rev. Carlton Davis, ousted pastor of New Hope Missionary Baptist Church, who was charged in Lake County Superior Court in August with neglect of a dependent.

Firefighter Davis has not been arrested. Assigned to the Black Oak fire station, Davis was scheduled to take several days off and is not in Northwest Indiana, Chief Robert Walker said.

Gary Weiss, attorney for Davis, said his client is prepared to fight any charges levied against him.

"We have not discussed the substance of the case, but he has indicated to me that what has been reported is completely inaccurate," Weiss said.

Davis is on vacation, but is prepared to turn himself in when he returns next week, Weiss said.

"I didn't want to discuss the case with him via cell phone," Weiss said. "Once Mr. Davis gets back, we will make arrangements to bring him in and post a bond, if that is what is required."

Weiss contacted county police and said his client did not wish to make a statement to investigators, Sheriff Roy Dominguez said Tuesday.

Although several firefighters contacted by the Post-Tribune declined to talk about Davis, Walker said if Davis was involved in the dog-fighting ring, many of his co-workers knew about it.

"Everything on this job gets around," Walker said. "These guys know everything about everybody. But they're not going to talk. Whatever he did, he's still a firefighter."

Walker said no disciplinary action will be considered against Davis until he has more information about the criminal matter.

Chuck Majeski, a neighbor of Davis', heard the dogs barking Monday and responded by bringing them food and water once he saw they had neither.

"I brought out two buckets of water and my wife brought out all the dog food we had," Majeski said Tuesday.

Majeski said Davis moved to the woodsy and scenic neighborhood about six months ago.

"We took him as a good guy," Majeski said.

For the last few months, though, neighbors noticed numerous vehicles showing up on a Saturday or Sunday, each carrying a dog.

Majeski said he asked Davis about his visitors, and Majeski said Davis assured him that he was breeding dogs.

Lubarski said the dogs will be evaluated and a few may be given to a pit-bull rescue group.

"One or two were used for breeding; they maybe could be retrained," he said.

Dominguez and Lubarski said the conditions at Davis' home were exceptionally bad.

"It's one of the worst cases of animal abuse I've ever seen," Dominguez said.

"It's unbelievable that a man sworn to protect life would do this to another living being," Lubarski said.

(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.