Deputies find elaborate dog-fighting operation in Antelope Valley, seize 17 pit bulls, treadmills, surgical equipment

Deputies and animal control officers swooped down on a home in the Antelope Valley on Wednesday and uncovered an elaborate dog-fighting operation with more than a dozen pit pulls, treadmill machines and medicine and surgical equipment to treat injured animals, authorities said.

Some of the 17 pit bulls were tied to stakes in the backyard near a portable wooden fighting ring stained with dried blood, the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department said. Many of the animals were suffering from injuries.

Authorities said they found a large supply of surgical tools, syringes and intravenous saline solution at the home, in the 41000 block of 178th Street East in Lake Los Angeles. Training records and manuals on dog fighting and breeding were also recovered, along with an ounce of cocaine.

The department said Jesse Jimenez, 43, and his wife, Yvette Jimenez, 41, were arrested at the home. They were booked at the Lancaster sheriff's station on suspicion of felony dog fighting and possession of a controlled substance, according to the department.

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-- Robert J. Lopez
Twitter: @LAJourno

Photos: Dog and treadmills at alleged dog-fighting home. Credit: Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department

Comments

[Nancy R.]

Scumbags. Let's hope they get more than the usual slap on the wrist.