10 pit bulls are seized in roundup of vicious dogs

6/9/2007

Ten adult pit bulls were seized and up to 34 misdemeanor charges may be issued during the year's first vicious-dog roundup by the Lucas County dog warden and Toledo police.

One pit bull that was unlicensed and injured and showed signs of disease was euthanized yesterday, warden Tom Skeldon said. He said it was one of two pit bulls with dogfighting scars.

Authorities had a list of about 30 locations - some specific addresses, some street blocks - to check. Dogs were taken from the old South End, the central city, the near North End, and East Toledo, Mr. Skeldon said.

Dogs without muzzles or licenses and those not properly confined were seized. Nineteen first-degree misdemeanor charges may be filed as well as 15 minor misdemeanor charges. Some citations have been issued, the warden said.

A few of the pit bulls have been claimed by their owners. A couple of the seized dogs were licensed. Male and female dogs were seized, as was dog-fighting paraphernalia, Mr. Skeldon said.