Feb. 14--ELIZABETH CITY, N.C. -- Investigators say they have rescued 80 dogs used in a possible dogfighting operation at six locations in Elizabeth City and Pasquotank, Perquimans and Camden counties.
Desmond B. White, 35, and Maurice Baum, 37, both of Pasquotank County, could face federal dogfighting charges, said Pasquotank County Sheriff Randy Cartwright.
Following a two-year investigation, law enforcement officers arrested White and Baum last week on drug charges. While carrying out search warrants on Feb. 5, investigators found evidence of dogfighting at three locations in Elizabeth City and another in Camden County, Cartwright said. They found 45 dogs there.
On Tuesday and Wednesday, 35 more dogs were found in Pasquotank and Perquimans counties. The Humane Society of the United States assisted in the investigation, Cartwright said.
Many of the dogs have scarring and injuries consistent with fighting, Cartwright said. Local authorities opened an emergency shelter, and each dog will be treated individually, he said. The courts will decide who gets custody.
The HSUS offers up to a $5,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of a person involved in dogfighting. The district attorney and a grand jury will determine the appropriate charges for Baum and White, Cartwright said.
The Federal Drug Enforcement Administration, the State Bureau of Investigation and the Camden County Sheriff's Office assisted in the investigation.
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