7 pitbulls removed from suspected dog-fighting operation in Homestead

Maricopa Police arrested Damien Hartfield, 30, of Maricopa, in connection with several felony counts related to cruelty to animals after officers responded to a call of dog fighting late Wednesday at a residence in the 21000 block of North Alexis Avenue.

Pinal County Animal Care and Control removed seven pit bull and pit bull mix dogs at the residence, including at least one that was severely injured.

“One of the officers was able to witness the dogs fighting and observed that they were covered in blood,” Sergeant Stephen Judd, a spokesman for the Maricopa Police Department, said in a written statement to the media (see “MPD confiscate small arsenal of guns, a home computer, stash of plastic bags and more“).

Judd said Hartfield was not at home when police arrived. When he did show up, he is accused of taking his injured dog inside and refusing police access.

Police obtained and served the initial search warrant at about 10:40 p.m. Wednesday, at which time all of the dogs were removed.

“All of the dogs had visible signs of injury or prior injury associated with animal fighting,” the release said.

Police reported finding evidence suggesting that dogs were being trained to fight at the site, in addition to “items of a criminal nature.” Police secured the house and obtained and served an additional warrant Thursday afternoon to remove those items (see “Officers stand guard at home MPD is preparing to search”).

Police seized numerous rifles, at least one hand gun and a small amount of drugs and drug paraphernalia in addition to items related to illegal dog fighting and the training of dogs to fight.
A statement from Animal Care and Control is pending.

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Photos by RuthAnn Hogue