Later, on Ramsay Street in South Baltimore, Martin pulled up to a small rowhouse to answer a complaint that two pit pulls inside were malnourished and that "there were wild animals in there."
Martin knocked and told a man inside, "Excuse me, sir, I'm from Animal Control. We got a complaint that you have pit bulls that aren't being fed."
A few minutes later, Martin emerged with John Rebhan, who was cradling his black Lab.
The two crossed the street and shoved the dog into a cage in Martin's truck. Rebhan said nothing was wrong with the dog. "I just don't want it anymore. I can't afford it."
Martin found no wild animals but did note another pit bull (well-fed and healthy), a snapping turtle, two snakes (less than 5 feet long) and a freshly caught perch swimming in a fish tank.
The officer headed back to the animal center near M&T Bank Stadium in South Baltimore. The staff there is still upset over the death of Phoenix and praying for an arrest, but more animals keep coming in - the injured cat from a fire that killed its owner, the abandoned, the stray, the injured, the abused.
The good news: The black Lab was healthy, playful and calm. Its owner doesn't want it, but Martin said he's sure the dog will be wanted by somebody. "He's sweet. He's good for adoption."
