Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office reports while executing a narcotics related search warrant, they came upon a dog fighting ring and operation on Marie Drive in Hammond.
As the result, three people now face felony charges that include distribution and the intent to distribute illegal narcotics, possession charges, as well as alleged violations of the federal Animal Welfare Act of 1966, dealing with handling of animals and animal cruelty.
Along with seizing a large quantity of illegal narcotics, drug paraphernalia, a single stack handgun with a silencer suppressor and cash, agents, with the assistance of the Tangipahoa Parish Animal Control, rescued twelve dogs chained to trees throughout the backyard.
The search, January 28, 2021 around 6:30 in the morning, saw agents contact the owner, secure the residence and its occupants, and begin their search.
As agents made their way throughout the house and into the back yard, they began to observe tools commonly used to train dogs to fight and scattered medical supplies.
Further into the back yard near a canal embankment, was a 10 x 10 wooden box with three foot sides, that appeared to be the common area for the dogs to fight. With the discovery of these findings, agents contacted Tangipahoa Parish Animal Control for assistance.
In all three people, Calvin Brown, 44, Zanobya Brown, 32, and Tyler Pines, 20, were taken into custody and are facing numerous charges related to drug possession with intent to distribute, possessing drug paraphernalia, suspicion of animal cruelty. One person was charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm.
Charges related to the dogfighting were also lodged as dogfighting is a felony in all 50 states.
“Illegal gambling and drug sales often take place at dogfighting events. Cases of animal cruelty will always be taken seriously in Tangipahoa Parish,” Chief James Travis said. “When we are made aware of any animal cruelty issues, we do the best we can to investigate and hold those responsible accountable for the suffering they’ve caused these animals."