A man and woman face several charges after Polk County sheriff's deputies said they found a
Deputies arrested Hewitt Grant II, 47, and Nickie Sanders, 44, Wednesday after serving a search warrant at their Brown Avenue home in Bartow and at a second residence.
Investigators said they found rings that appeared to be set up for dogfighting and at least one of the rings had blood on the floor and sides.
According to arrest documents, deputies found four dogs tied up with large logging chains that were too heavy for the dogs. They also found 37 dogs in kennels and crates on the property.
The affidavit said one of the dogs, a pit bull, had "severe wounds on its face and head from a recent fight." The document said the dogs' wounds had not been medically treated.
According to investigators, a treadmill, designed to exercise the dogs, was also found on the property.
Investigators said they also served a search warrant at a property on Dr. Martin Luther King Street in Fort Meade, about 10 miles south of Bartow.
According to investigators that property was also controlled by Grant.
Investigators said they took 20 dogs from that property, including seven that were also tied up with heavy logging chains. According to investigators, the logging chains are used to strengthen the dogs' necks for fighting.
Investigators said they believe the 61 dogs taken in the raids were being bred and used to fight at the two properties.
Deputies arrested Hewitt Grant II, 47, and Nickie Sanders, 44, Wednesday after serving a search warrant at their Brown Avenue home in Bartow and at a second residence.
Investigators said they found rings that appeared to be set up for dogfighting and at least one of the rings had blood on the floor and sides.
According to arrest documents, deputies found four dogs tied up with large logging chains that were too heavy for the dogs. They also found 37 dogs in kennels and crates on the property.
The affidavit said one of the dogs, a pit bull, had "severe wounds on its face and head from a recent fight." The document said the dogs' wounds had not been medically treated.
According to investigators, a treadmill, designed to exercise the dogs, was also found on the property.
Investigators said they also served a search warrant at a property on Dr. Martin Luther King Street in Fort Meade, about 10 miles south of Bartow.
According to investigators that property was also controlled by Grant.
Investigators said they took 20 dogs from that property, including seven that were also tied up with heavy logging chains. According to investigators, the logging chains are used to strengthen the dogs' necks for fighting.
Investigators said they believe the 61 dogs taken in the raids were being bred and used to fight at the two properties.
POLK COUNTY, Fla. — "We hate to put these dogs down, but that's going to happen to some of them, not going to be any choice," said Chief of Law Enforcement W.J. Martin.
According to investigators, they also found marijuana and two handguns at the Brown Avenue property. Investigators said Grant is a convicted felon and not allowed to have firearms.
Both Grant and Sanders were transported to the Polk County Jail.
Both Grant and Sanders were transported to the Polk County Jail.
"We'd like to think we rescued these dogs, but the reality is this guy created dogs that are really dangerous," said Martin.
Each faces several charges involving animal cruelty and having animals for fighting as well as drug charges. Grant is also charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
Channel 9 learned that a civil injunction filed in 2006 banned Hewitt from owning dogs.
"Back in 2006 we seized 138 dogs under similar conditions from him and charged appropriately, and back then (a) civil court issued a permanet injunction against him," said Chief W.J. Martin with the Polk County Sheriff's Department.
The dogs rescued in the most recent raids were turned over to Polk County Animal Control.
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