Additional charges have been laid and dogs seized in connection with a suspected dog fighting operation first investigated last fall.
In October, a joint investigation between the Chatham-Kent Police Service and the OSPCA Major Case Management Team resulted in the execution of multiple search warrants at an address on Morris Line in Tilbury East Township.
The investigation into a suspected dog fighting operation resulted in four people being arrested and over 300 charges laid under the Criminal Code of Canada, Controlled Drugs and Substances Act and Dog Owner’s Liability Act.
On March 1, as a result of this ongoing investigation, police arrested and charged a 32-year-old Kent Bridge man with two counts of cruelty to animals.
Due to the circumstances surrounding the arrest, police say two search warrants were authorized under the Dog Owner’s Liability Act for two properties in the Kent Bridge area which led to the seizure of seven pit bull type dogs which are prohibited in the Province of Ontario.
The dogs are being housed in a location outside of Chatham-Kent.
Since pit bull type dogs are prohibited in Ontario, the Kent Bridge man was charged yesterday with seven counts of unlawfully owning a pit bull type dog, contrary to the Dog Owner’s Liability Act.
All seven seized dogs have been individually assessed by a certified veterinarian. Three of the dogs have injuries consistent with the patterns seen on dogs used for fighting.
The accused has been additionally charged with three counts of cruelty to animals.
His next court date is March 30.
