Breeding operation - fighting suspected, 52 seized Chaparral, NM (US) Incident Date: Friday, Aug 17, 2007 County: Dona Ana Local Map: available Disposition: Alleged Alleged: » Duryea Scott » Daron Scott Case Updates: 1 update(s) available

Case ID: 12085 Classification: Fighting, Neglect / Abandonment Animal: dog (pit-bull) View more cases in NM (US) Login to Watch this Case

The Dona Ana County Animal Shelter is seeking foster and adoption homes for 52 pit bulls that authorities suspect were part of a breeding operation for dog fighting.

The animals were seized Friday from two properties, one in Chaparral, New Mexico and one in El Paso, Texas. The owners � brothers Duryea Scott and Daron Scott, both 48 of El Paso - are considered suspects, but no charges have been filed.

Daron Scott is a teacher at Santa Teresa High School, while Duryea Scott is employed at White Sands Missile Range, authorities said.

Dona Ana County Sheriff's Department investigator Bo Nevarez said the investigation is moving slower than usual because of jurisdictional matters that must be resolved. In addition, he said, authorities are processing evidence.

"The reason it's ongoing is because we're talking about crossing the state line," he said. "There are multiple agencies involved, and we're looking at who is going to handle what and where."

Nevarez said there's a possibility federal authorities will join the investigation because of the jurisdiction issues.

Animal Control investigator Robyn Gojkovich said authorities found one dog that had died of dehydration. Most others aren't in bad physical condition, she said, though some have behavior problems that stem from how they were treated. "Some of them are pretty skittish," she said.

"Some of them have trust issues; some are very dog-aggressive. There were a couple that were very dehydrated, and there are two mothers that are very emaciated."

Gojkovich said the some animals show signs of having been used for fighting.

"The dogs had scars and marks on their ears, their face, their legs, their hips," she said.

Gojkovich said a tip about dogs in poor conditions first took authorities to the Chaparral, New Mexico property, which in turn led them to the El Paso, Texas property. She said the Scotts didn't live at either location.

Under state law, using dogs for fights is a fourth degree felony with a possible sentence of up to 18 months in jail.

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References

Las Cruces Sun - Aug 17, 2007

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