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St. Johns raid nets dogfighting items
By MATT GALNOR, The Times-Union
May 10, 2008
Animal control officials raided a West Augustine home Thursday and seized a treadmill, rape stand and other dogfighting equipment.
St. Johns County officials took seven pit bulls and a German Shepherd from the home last week and came back with a warrant to search the home, said Paul Studivant, animal control department manager.
Property records show that Edgar Williams owns the home, but a Sheriff's Office spokesman said no arrests have been made. Williams does not have a listed phone number and could not be reached for comment.
Studivant said the State Attorney's Office is reviewing the case and he expects charges to be filed next week.
Most of the dogs were without shelter or water and all were tied up with 40- to 60-pound logging chains, Studivant said.
Two of the dogs had their teeth filed flat like human teeth, which Studivant said is likely so dogs could not do serious damage in sparring matches.
Authorities did not release any information about whether the dogs were being fought in organized bouts, but Studivant said the dogs' faces and backs were covered with scars, and some injuries looked to be only a week or two old.
Studivant said Williams' son told authorities he lived in the home, but Studivant said the condition of the home led him to believe the house was only used to store the dogs.
The rape stand seized is a wooden pole with two metal chains designed to keep dogs from attacking each other while breeding, Studivant said.
"It's 2008 and we're still playing gladiators with animals," Studivant said. "It's sickening."
All of the dogs seized will have to be euthanized.
matt.galnor@jacksonville.com (904) 359-4550
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