Drug Probe Leads To Dog Fighting Ring Bust

BALTIMORE (WJZ)—  Eight abused dogs are rescued during a drug raid in Baltimore.   Investigators say the dogs were being used to fight.

Mike Schuh has more on the animal rescue and the man facing charges.

While most of us were probably asleep Wednesday morning, a team of officers were preparing to raid a Baltimore home. They were looking for drugs, but they found dogs.

Those dogs are now a part of a police investigation.

"They executed the search and seizure warrant. They uncovered what appeared to be a large dog fighting ring. They found eight dogs inside of the location as well as dog fighting manuals, medications and other things," said Sgt. Valencia Nock, Baltimore City Police.

It was 2:30 a.m. Wednesday when the dogs were brought in from West Baltimore.

The dogs are in pretty good shape, some have scars that could've come from fights.

"Because of the fact that there was medication there, there were dog fighting manuals there, there may be some kind of indication that there is dog fighting there," Nock said.

The raid happened at a home in the 2900-block of Silver Hill Avenue.

Johnnie Taylor was arrested, charged with eight counts of animal cruelty and drug possession.

The dogs are being held at the BARCS animal shelter in South Baltimore. But because the dogs are a part of a police investigation, they are not available for adoption just yet.