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Detective Assigned To Dog Fighting Case

Posted at 10:02 PM, Feb 27, 2014
and last updated 2014-02-27 22:02:56-05

MUSKEGON, Mich. (Feb. 27, 2014) — Muskegon County Sheriff’s Department has now assigned a detective to investigate the case where two dogs were found dumped near an elementary school.

On Tuesday, a veterinarian’s preliminary exam revealed the dogs were involved is some type of fighting activity.

“This community believes that you take care of your pets,” Lt. Shane Brown with Muskegon County Sheriff’s Department said. “If you don’t take care of your pets we’re going to do something about it.”

Lt. Brown said several tips have come in regarding the case but that solving it is all but easy.

“When you’re trying to determine dog fighting you’re looking at getting into a criminal element that is very protective, very secretive, very underground,” Lt. Brown said. “It takes a long time. It’s a lot of effort…these are lengthy
investigations.”

In Michigan, intentionally killing or torturing an animal is a felony that carries up to a 4-year prison sentence.

While these cases require a lot of investigative resources, Lt. Brown said, it just takes one tip to point them to their suspects.

“I think it’s going to take somebody to step up,” Lt. Brown said. Those people that are involved with it, they have friends, they have relatives…those people have information and that’s who we’re expecting to hear from. It hasn’t happened yet but we’re still hopeful.”

Anyone who has information about this case or any other animal abuse case is asked to give Silent Observer a call at 231-72-CRIME.