By Michelle Anselmo for FOX2now.com
ST. LOUIS, MO — A suspected dog fighting operation is busted in South St. Louis. Five pit bulls were confiscated from a home along with dog fighting paraphernalia. But the dogs owner says police have it all wrong. Authorities, however, say the evidence is overwhelming, and this case is just the start of a crackdown in the city to stop the senseless cruelty.
The five pit bulls are now caged and calm at the city pound. The dogs were found early Thursday morning chained in the backyard of a home on Minnesota.
Animal Control Supervisoe Drew Hane said, “While no dogs were fighting when we showed up it was very clear that there had been fighting in the garage.”
Animal control officers say the garage was full of dog fighting paraphernalia. They confiscated 60 pounds of chains, a treadmill, a training bag, dog fighting videos and plywood set up in the formation of a ring.
“These are just tell tale signs of not your ordinary house pet,” said Hane.
But Demetri Franklin says his pit bulls are pets. Franklin wanted to speak out after being in custody for 20 hours. He has not yet been charged.
Demetri Franklin said, “The SWAT team kicked the door in there was supposed to be drugs but they didn’t find anything and that’s when they started looking at the dogs.”
Franklin says he’s being stereotyped. He say his pets are for protection.
“They found a treadmill but it was broke. Someone gave it to me but when you have dogs like that pitbulls have a lot of energy they can tear up the yard so I run them,” said Franklin.
Stray Rescue isn’t buying it. The group is working with animal control to prosecute animal abusers.
Stray Rescue’s Randy Grim said, “I want this area to realize they aren’t going to away with it anymore.”
“This was found right in our backyard in South City it’s not out in the country or a backwoods shed. We are finding this more in the urban areas and we are talking this very seriously,” said Hane.
Authorities say Demetri Franklin could still face charges