Man charged with Running Dog Fighting Operation - Romulus, MI


http://www.clickondetroit.com/news/2781744/detail.html
Man Charged With Running Dog Fighting Operation
Police Reportedly Find 28 Pit Bulls, Training Equipment At Home

POSTED: 1:16 PM EST January 21, 2004
UPDATED: 1:21 PM EST January 21, 2004

Romulus police charged Matthew Benjamin Pepper Wednesday with running a dog fighting operation.
Video


Archive: See Video Of Apparent Dog Fighting Ring





Police raided Pepper's Sumpter Township home on Jan. 13, where they reportedly found 28 pit bulls -- from puppies to adults -- and training equipment such as treadmills and whips in a barn outside, according to Local 4 reports.

Investigators say many of the dogs had been beaten.

Police also found a drawer full of medicine apparently used to heal the dogs' wounds after a fight; and several photos, including one of a dead pit bull and another of a severely scarred dog, Local 4 reported.

A local veterinarian donated time to check the health of the dogs, but Local 4 learned that because of the training and aggressive nature of the animals, most would have to be euthanized.

Pepper (pictured, right) is expected to return to court next week when a judge will determine if he will stand trial on the charges.