Three people charged in connection with a dog-fighting ring near Tilbury now face 92 charges each as they prepare for a bail hearing Thursday morning.
The charges against John Robert, 43, Kim Robert, 39, and Michel Gagnon, 41, of Fletcher, were confirmed during a joint media conference this afternoon by the Chatham Kent Police Service and the OSPCA.
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In the worst case of its kind in Ontario since 2006, the Crown laid charges under the criminal code, the dog owner’s liability act and controlled drug legislation.
The three were charged after a raid at a Morris Line home in Tilbury East Township Friday morning.
More than three dozen officers participated in the raid. They discovered 31 “pit-bull type” dogs in various states of health, one deceased dog and what police said were “hundreds of items” relating to dog training and fighting.
Chatham-Kent Police Service Const. Renee Cowell said officers remained on the scene throughout Friday and into Saturday.
Inspector Brad Dewar of the OSPCA said items recovered included bite sticks, treadmills, drugs to increase dog growth and fighting performance, videos, books and medical equipment to treat injured animals.
Dewar refused to divulge whether there was evidence that dog fighting had taken place at the scene. Cowell refused to confirm if money from such events was found there.
Dewar said dogfights are secretive events, often held quickly at one site and moved elsewhere, making it extremely difficult to track the activity.
Cowell said the investigation had been ongoing for two months.
Penalties for the charges range from prison terms up to five years and fines of up to $10,000.
Dewar said the animals are all still alive and are being kept at an undisclosed location in Ontario where they are receiving medical care.
He said the animals were all under 10 years of age and it appears all were owned by those charged. Pit bulls of that age are illegal in Ontario.
The investigation is ongoing and anyone with information can contact Chatham Kent Police at 519-352-1234, the OSPCA at 310-SPCA or Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS.
Pit bulls 🙁 best dog I ever owned it's never the dog fault it's the owner point proved I will never own another pit bull till I move out of this horrible place
It's too bad we can't focus on the fact that it is the stupid moronic idiots that make these poor animals into mean and terrified property instead of pets. And so they might get 5 years ( doubtful ) and a 10,000 dollar fine also doubtful. These poor animals will probably get the death penalty for something they had no voice in…..sad
I hope the Judge throws the book at them!
You tell them Hollie.
These dogs are not classed as PIT BULLS until they are trained that way . They are born as BULL TERRIERS
As if these 3 are not bad enough, let's not forget those who attended, those who bet on the dogs and anyone else that may have been aware of what was going on and ketp their mouths shut. Shame on all of you!!!
These people need to go to jail. When will our "justice system" do what they are supposed to do. These poor animals have been living in hell. And yes, anyone who attended these fights should have their asses in jail too! Lowlife assholes who have no conscience or heart. Send them to jail!! Let the other inmates bet on their fighting skills!!!!!!
I hope now that they are rescued our justice system does not order them euthanized because they are banned in Ontario. Hope they allow them to be transferred to a rescue out of province…or better still that they get rid of this ridiculous law. It's not the dogs…it's the owner.
Really? Only 5 years jail time and a $10,000 fine is what they could each face?! Time to change our laws and punishments. These people deserve to be thrown into a fight ring in prison to see how well they do. Scum.
Rehomed . Look at the mike vic story. Out of 65 dogs ,63 were rehomed. Dogs live in the now. The other two dogs were to far gone. Hurt too bad.
Yes – sickening thought.
Will the dogs be put to sleep or relocated to friendlier provinces???