Chatham-Kent Police Service Headquarters, July 23, 2015. (Photo by Mike Vlasveld)Chatham-Kent Police Service Headquarters, July 23, 2015. (Photo by Mike Vlasveld)
London

Dog Fighting Exposed In Tilbury

Chatham-Kent police report 40 dogs are being cared for by the Ontario SPCA after officers searched a home in Tilbury East Township suspected of being involved in a dog fighting operation.

A 43-year-old man, 41-year-old man and 39-year-old woman are facing animal cruelty and firearm related charges. They're being held in custody pending a bail hearing.

OSPCA Inspector Brad Dewar says there was a lot of evidence found consistent with the training of dogs to fight.

"Often times there is various veterinarian medication and supplements that are there to help increase the animal's ability to survive a fight, or be able to go to a fight or recover from a fight," says Dewar. "Items that are commonly used are cat mills or jennys. It's a large metal pole that's attached. They put a form of bait off the front of it. The animal then goes around in circles with weights on it, part of an endurance training. Treadmills are commonly used."

Dewar urges the public to report any potential dog fighting concerns to the SPCA.

"This is one of the worst kinds of animal cruelty that exist and certainly we want to hear about it as soon as a member of our community has a concern in regards to it," says Dewar.

The investigation is ongoing. Police say the dogs were found in various health conditions and are being assessed by a veterinarian.

The last investigation into alleged dog fighting happened in 2006.

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