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FIGHTING BUST IN FLORIDA |
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Clay County authorities are investigating an animal abuse case
involving 32 dogs they believe were being trained for fighting
and neglected in the process.
Sheriff's officials found the dogs Tuesday at the home of Joseph
Lewis, 41, 6410 Jones Creek Road in Keystone Heights, said Mary
Justino, Clay County sheriff's spokeswoman. Authorities were
there investigating a grand-theft case.
They found the dogs chained to each other or to trees, Justino
said. They had very little food or water and no shelter. |
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"A lot of them were malnourished," she said. "You could see
their ribs."
At least six of the dogs had severe injuries that could only be
explained by dog fighting, including scarred mouths, noses and
throats, broken front paws and broken legs, Justino added.
One of the dogs has since died of malnutrition. It had been
eating hay because it had nothing else to eat, she said.
Lewis did his own veterinary work on the animals, though he
isn't a veterinarian, Justino said. They were found with
unprofessionally bandaged legs and stitched wounds.
"You find that with fighting dogs because if you took the dogs
to a reputable vet, they'd be required to report (the
injuries)," Justino said.
Authorities believe Lewis trained the dogs on his property but
took them out of Clay County and out of state to fight them.
Officials there will help decide what to charge Lewis with,
Justino said.
Lewis was being held in the Clay County jail Wednesday on
grand-theft charges.
Authorities took the dogs to the Animal Control Center near
Green Cove Springs. There were 30 pit bulls and two chows,
Justino said. Veterinarians there are treating the dogs'
injuries. The dogs are being held as evidence.
After the investigation is over, animal control officials will
decide if the dogs can be adopted out, Justino said. But it
doesn't look promising, she added.
"These dogs were bred to attack other dogs," Justino said. "They
have serious socialization issues."
References
• Gainesville Sun - Dec 25, 2003
• Bradford County Telegraph
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