Columbus-Lowndes County animal control officers Tuesday seized four adult pit bull dogs and two puppies from a residence on Pickensville Road after officers learned the dogs may have been used for fighting.
Columbus police officers responded to 255 Pickensville Road at about 2:30 p.m. Tuesday after someone notified police of possible dog fighting at the residence.
After officers arrived, they found equipment used to train the dogs for fighting, including a heavy weighted chain around one of the pit bull”s necks, according to police reports.
The four adult dogs were badly scarred and bloody when officers arrived, according to reports.
Police confiscated the dogs and charged 19-year-old Joseph Ellis with misdemeanor charges of improper confinement and improper documentation.
After animal control officers seized the dogs, they transported the animals to the Columbus-Lowndes Humane Society off Bell Avenue near the Lowndes County Justice Court.
Although no arrests were made in the incident, a Columbus Police Department investigation is ongoing. Ellis is scheduled to appear in court July 29 at 1:30 p.m.
Other incidents
- Columbus police are searching for suspects involved in an early July vandalism at the Columbus Country Club golf course.
According to a country club employee, someone drove onto the No. 2 green on the club”s golf course sometime between sundown July 2 and sunrise July 3 and damaged the grounds.
The incident caused about $1,400 of damage to the golf course, leading a country club member to offer a $500 reward for information leading to an arrest, according to police reports.
As of Thursday, no arrests had been made and the investigation had been turned over to the CPD Criminal Investigation Division.
- An officer patrolling in the 1900 block of Seventh Avenue North at about midnight Monday discovered a black male laying unconscious in the road.
After investigating, the officer discovered the victim had been assaulted by three black male suspects who fled the scene as the officer approached.
The officer questioned the victim and learned the suspects had attempted to rob the victim before knocking him unconscious. However, the victim reported nothing missing.
The victim was transported to Baptist Memorial Hospital-Golden Triangle, where he was treated and released for minor injuries.
The Dispatch Editorial Board is made up of publisher Peter Imes, columnist Slim Smith, managing editor Zack Plair and senior newsroom staff.
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