The four pit bulls were kept in a cramped backyard and tethered with heavy chains. As animal enforcement officer Ricky Martin approached the yard, the dogs barked and growled. Two of them had open wounds, evidence, Martin said, that they had been used in an organized dogfight. He also noted smears of dried blood inside the dogs' shelters.
It was not the first time authorities had visited the East Baltimore rowhouse. Police raided it in May and found seven dogs, including four puppies, and a gun. They suspect that the vacant rowhouse is being used to shelter fighting dogs and that those responsible are involved in other illegal activities. The investigation remains open, police said.
City officials say it is this connection between dogfighting, drug dealing, illegal gambling and other criminal activities that has led them to take a more serious look at the cruel matches, which are often staged in rowhouse basements out of sight of neighbors and police. Losing dogs are sometimes shot or hanged because their owners don't want to weaken the breed.
Dr. Joshua M. Sharfstein, the city health commissioner, and Frederick H. Bealefeld III, the acting police commissioner, are expected to announce the creation of a multi-agency dogfighting task force today. A police detective will investigate dogfight rings and will collect evidence against organizers, trainers, breeders and spectators. The effort could stem violence in the city and animal abuse, officials say.
"People who are destroying animals and engaging in this criminal conduct are ... also associated with drug culture and drug dealing," said Bealefeld, the former head of a police narcotics unit. "This is absolutely an easy integration into our gang enforcement efforts and our overall goal to reduce violent crime in the city."
Children interviewed at the East Baltimore rowhouse where police found fighting dogs said they were caring for the animals for adults. Bealefeld said he worries that caring for the dogs will lure children into a world that includes drug dealing and violence.
"There is a subliminal indoctrination into the thug world," said Bealefeld, adding that youths who feed fighting dogs are not unlike youths who sell drugs on city corners for adult drug dealers. They are both pawns in a large criminal organization. "It is the same thing," he said.
Sharfstein, who oversees animal control issues as the city's health commissioner, said he wants to make Baltimore a safer place for animals and people, some of whom are terrorized by neglected beasts and their owners.
