SHERIFF’S POLICE ARREST ANOTHER
DOG FIGHTER
Thursday, September 24, 2009 — Bond was set at $500,000 today for three men charged with felony dog fighting as a result of a Cook County Sheriff’s Department raid on a Maywood daycare home.
One of the three - Martez Anderson - was originally only cited with a misdemeanor, but after reviewing evidence, the Cook County State’s Attorney’s office approved felony dog fighting charges against him, Sheriff Tom Dart said.
Anderson, 38, of Maywood, was arrested at the Maywood courthouse when he showed up for a Thursday bond hearing for his two friends.
After Anderson was in custody, police reviewed his cell phone and found a video showing a man brutally burning a live animal to death. Dart praised Cook County Judge Paula Daleo for setting a bond he said is appropriate, given the brutal nature of the crime.“These men thought nothing of engaging in brutally heinous acts,” Dart said. “We’ve got to send a message that this is a crime that just can’t be tolerated.”Anderson is now being held in the Cook County Jail on $500,000 bond. He was initially charged with being a felon in possession of an unsprayed or unneutered dog.
Arrested Tuesday as a result of the sheriff’s dog fighting investigation are Charles Sutton, 42, and Lance Webb, 27, both of Maywood.Both remain in the Cook County Jail, also being held on $500,000 bond.Sutton’s wife operated a daycare home out of their house, while a fighting dog and dog fighting equipment were kept in a blood-stained garage next to a swingset. The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services has since shut down that daycare home.
Webb owned several dogs found at Anderson’s house, including a puppy whose eye had been ripped out as a result of a fight. Police believe the puppy was used as a bait dog in fights. Anderson was paid $60 a month to keep fighting dogs on his property. While these three are charged, officers with the sheriff’s Animal Crimes Unit continue to look for others involved in this dog fighting ring.
Anyone with information about dog fighting can call the officers at 708-865-4720.
