73 pit bulls chained to trees, old cars Roanoke, VA (US) Incident Date: Wednesday, Apr 12, 2000 County: Roanoke City Local Map: available Disposition: Convicted Charges: Felony Non-CTA Case Images: 2 files available Abusers/Suspects: » Thomas Mitchell Garner » Kyle Arthur Pearce - Not Charged » Phillip William Reynolds Case Updates: 1 update(s) available

Case ID: 6296 Classification: Fighting Animal: dog (pit-bull) View more cases in VA (US) Login to Watch this Case

On April 12, 2000, Roanoke County Sheriff's office found 73 pit bulls chained to trees and old car axles on property owned by North Carolina "pet psychiatrist Tom Garner"--and another 19 pit bulls on neighboring land belonging to alleged dogfighting trainer Kyle Arthur Pearce.

Evidence found during the Pearce bust led U.S. federal agents to the home of his former housemate, Philip William Reynolds, publisher of the underground American Gamedog Times magazine plus an accompanying web site.

Five pit bulls and alleged dogfighting paraphernalia were seized from Reynolds, against whom charges are reportedly pending. Back in April, however, during the initial raid, "Garner showed up at the site where the dogs were chained while police were investigating," wrote Matt Chittum of the Roanoke Times. "Garner claimed ownership of most of the dogs," Chittum continued, "and said he raised them to be sold as pets. An affidavit filed with the search warrant that authorized the raid, however, said Garner is known to the USDA as 'a breeder of pit bull dogs sold to dogfighters.' Veterinary records found during the investigation indicate Pearce had several dogs treated for 'injuries consistent with those inflicted in organized dogfighting,' the search warrant says. Garner paid those bills, according to the warrant.'"

Yet Garner was only charged with not licensing the dogs on his property. Two dogs were held as evidence. The rest remained on chains.

Garner kept 71 of them, after paying $2,026 in fines.

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References

Animal People News - November 2000

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