SHERIFF’S POLICE BREAK UP DOG FIGHT
IN PROGRESS
Sunday, August 9, 2009 — A late night raid in Hopkins Park led to the arrest of 7 individuals when investigators from the Cook County Sheriff’s Police stopped a dog fight in progress, according to the Office of Sheriff Thomas J. Dart.
Sheriff’s Police surrounded the Kankakee County farm after developing information during a two month-long investigation, that the fight was scheduled for Saturday night. Seven people were arrested, including a man who brought his 5-year-old daughter to the dog fight.
More than 40 officers from several agencies worked together to secure the scene. Nine severely scarred pit bull dogs were seized and turned over to the Animal Welfare League in Chicago Ridge. Nearly $20,000 in cash from betting was also seized.
Those arrested were:
- Ronald Patton, 50, of the 3800 block of West 18th Street, Chicago, charged with bringing a child to a dog fight
- Deitrick Dunnigan, 28, of the 14900 block of Paulina, Harvey, charged with felony dog fighting
The following individuals were charged for attending a dog fight, which is a misdemeanor:
- Dextin Bryant, 20, of the 300 block of Springfield, Chicago, also charged with obstruction
- Darren Grier, 28, of the 2300 block of South Winslow, Bloomington,
- Markeese Lews, 23, of the 800 block of North Hamlin, Chicago
- Kenneth Riley, 38, of the 1600 block of South Avers, Chicago
- Larue Jackson, 50, of the 700 block of South Oakley, Chicago
During the raid, one of the pit bulls in the fighting ring escaped and attacked a Cook County Sheriff’s Police officer and his canine partner. Both were treated and released.
“The investigative efforts put forth by the officers of the Animal Crimes Unit not only protects the dogs subjected to this torture, but also innocent children forced to witness this violence ,” stated Sheriff Dart. “It is something that no child should ever see.”
This is the second time since its 2007 formation that the Cook County Sheriff’s Animal Crimes Unit has stopped a fight in progress. They have rescued more than 150 dogs from dog fighting rings and puppy mills.
Sheriff Dart commended the officers for their hard work and also thanked officers from the Cook County Sheriff’s Police Animal Crimes Unit, Hostage Barricade and Terrorist Team and Helicopter Unit; officers from the Illinois State Police and their SWAT team; the Kankakee County Sheriff, Chicago Police and the U.S.D.A for their assistance.
Anyone with information about dog fighting is urged to call the Cook County Sheriff’s Police at (708) 865-4720.
