The fate of five pit bulls, seized
by police while breaking up a suspected dog fighting
operation, was unresolved Wednesday, according to a
spokesman for the city of Dallas.
The dogs were at a city animal
shelter after police disrupted the lighted backyard
arena Tuesday night at a home in the Oak Cliff area.
The dogs will likely be used as
evidence in the case against their owner, said Frank
Librio, the city spokesman.
They might be eligible for
adoption if the charges are dropped, he added, but
whoever agrees to take them must also pay for licensing
and shots. If no one is willing to pick up those
responsibilities, the animals could be euthanized,
Librio said.
At about 7:15 p.m. Tuesday,
police responded to complaints of a disturbance in the
1500 block of Fordham Road.
Officers found a group of
people gathered in the back yard watching a dog fight,
said Senior Cpl. Jamie Matthews, police spokeswoman.
The spectators ran from the
scene when officers announced their arrival, Matthews
said. Some people were detained, however, including a
33-year-old man who lived at the address.
He was the only person arrested
during the incident, Matthews said. He faced two
misdemeanor counts of dog fighting and cruelty to
animals, she added.
Some of the dogs appeared to be
malnourished, Matthews said.
``One particular dog that was
in a corner was extremely aggressive,'' Matthews said.
The back yard was set up for
dog fighting, Matthews said. There were pens made of
wood paneling where dogs were held before entering the
arena, which was illuminated with halogen lights, she
said.
The man who was arrested was
taken to the Lew Sterrett Justice Center late Tuesday
night, Matthews said, but a "medical issue" prevented
him from being booked into custody.
He was taken to Parkland
Memorial Hospital; when he gets out, he will be returned
to jail and face charges, Matthews said.
Bill Miller, (817) 390-7684
wmiller@star-telegram.com