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Officials find abused dogs, fighting gear
By Times Staff Writer
Published February 23, 2005
TAMPA - Following up a police officer's hunch about dog abuse at a Sulphur Springs home, Hillsborough County Animal Control officials on Tuesday morning discovered five pit bullterriers and equipment used to train them for fighting.
Three of the dogs were emaciated, and an ear had been chewed off one of them, said Tampa police spokesman Joe Durkin.
Police arrested Beryl Dennard, 44, who faces charges of illegal confinement of animals without food or water, fighting animals, two counts of animal cruelty, and possession of cocaine and marijuana. He was being held at the Orient Road Jail in lieu of $11,000 bail.
Tampa police patrol Officer Greg Hattle notified Animal Control when he noticed that two dogs at the home on N Brooks Street looked too thin. Officials got a warrant and found the dogs and what appeared to be a ring where they fought on the property, Durkin said.
In addition, there was a small treadmill, typically used to train dogs for fighting, Durkin said. He said dogs are chained to the treadmill and forced to run. "Either they keep running, or they get dragged."
[Last modified February 23, 2005, 00:34:19]
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