January 2, 2007

Officers Break Up Dogfight in Titusville

KAUSTUV BASU
FLORIDA TODAY

TITUSVILLE — Reports of an impending dogfight led Titusville Police to a backyard on Palmetto Street on Tuesday evening, where they found two pit bulls, one of them bitten, scarred and bloody.

Even as the police and animal control officers were trying to get one of the dogs under control, the two male suspects, who had allegedly organized the fight, bolted into the woods and disappeared.

“Our officer walked up just when one of the dogs was released on the other,” said Sgt. Jeff King of the Titusville Police. “I guess they were training them to prepare for a fight or something.”

One of the dogs had severe puncture wounds and was lying motionless under a car, but it was still breathing, King said.

“It started yelping when it was approached,” King said.

An animal control officer was nipped on the leg, said Bob Brown, spokesman for Brevard County Animal Control. A video shows the dog charging the officer and biting her.

That dog was quarantined Tuesday night, while the other dog was also in custody at the animal shelter.

“We know who (one of the) suspects is. We are planning to pick him up,” said Todd Hutchinson, public information officer for the Titusville Police.

Hutchinson said police were determined to get more information about the case.

Police did not release the name of the suspect but said he had been arrested before.

Brown said dogfighting exists in the South, including Titusville.

“But since it is clandestine, they keep it quiet,” he said.

Felony charges await the alleged perpetrators of the dogfight, said Hutchinson.

“It is a terrible thing those poor dogs had to suffer those injuries,” Hutchinson said.

Contact Basu at 242-3724 or kbasu@flatoday.net.