Dog-fighting - 4 dogs, guns, drugs, cash seized
Philadelphia, PA (US)Incident Date: Thursday, Nov 13, 2008
County: Philadelphia
Charges: Felony CTA
Disposition: Alleged
Case Images: 3 files available
Alleged: John Taliaferro-Bertalomue
When Philadelphia police raided the home on the 3500 block of Kip Street in the city's West Kensington section on the morning of November 13th, they got more than they bargained for. They came looking for drugs and uncovered the makings of a dogfighting operation.
"It appears as though these dogs were trained and fought here," said SPCA Humane Law Officer Elizabeth Sorel.
The SPCA found several dogs chained up in the basement along with a dog treadmill, used to train fighting dogs, and thick chains. "We found a fighting ring that was actually nailed into a plank coming out of the basement. Sawdust, tons of injectables, syringes," Sorel reported.
The SPCA said the dogs were in bad shape. "They found four dogs inside, the dogs were thin, they were scarred up. They found a ton of fighting paraphernalia," said Sorel.
According to police, John Taliaferro was arrested with $4500 worth of marijuana, seven guns and some cash. They said he has 18 prior arrests.
Court records said Taliaferro was one of 80 defendants charged in connection with a dogfighting and gambling raid back in April 2000. The case was dropped. He now faces serious charges.
"It looks like we'll be able to charge him with at least five counts of felony dogfighting, one for each of the dogs, which would be possession of fighting dogs," said Sorel.
SPCA investigators dug up Taliaferro's front yard after tipsters told them several dead dogs may be buried there. They found some bones which they took away for examination. "According to some of the neighbors, this guy's been burying dogs that have either died losing fights or have been killed for losing fights in the front yard," said Sorel.
The dogs seized at the home were taken to SPCA headquarters for treatment and evaluation."These dogs were aggressive. I think it's unlikely that they will be adoptable," said Sorel.
Investigators reportedly found one dog in the owner's bedroom named "King John."
They also discovered a Michael Vick football jersey in the owner's bedroom. Atlanta Falcons star quarterback Michael Vick was jailed on dog fighting related charges 18 months ago. References« PA State Animal Cruelty Map
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