Delaware State Police investigating suspicious activity south of Seaford on Sunday came upon several people fighting dogs — one of which officials said has died from its injuries.
State police and officers from the Delaware Division of Public Health’s Office of Animal Welfare were conducting a joint investigation that came to a head about 2:05 p.m. Sunday.
That’s when state troopers arrived at the 26000 block of Lonesome Road — a mostly wooded and secluded area south of Seaford. There, police said they saw several people “actively engaged in dog fighting.”
Troopers took four Maryland men and one Seaford man into custody.
Animal Welfare officers obtained a search and seizure warrant and took 14 dogs from the residence.
One of the animals has died from its injuries, according to a Division of Public Health statement.
Five other dogs remain in serious condition, while eight others are being cared for by the Brandywine Valley SPCA.
The men, who were all charged with keeping animals for fighting and other related crimes, have been released from Sussex Correctional Institution custody after posting $18,000 secured bail, the Division of Public Health said. Part of the bail conditions say the men cannot have contact, possess or own any animals.
The investigation is ongoing and anyone with information regarding this case should contact OAW at (302)-255-4646.
Editor’s note: In recent years, Delaware Online/The News Journal has changed its approach to covering crime and courts and typically does not identify people charged for all but the most serious cases. Delaware Online also does not typically publish press releases on all criminal charges unless the crime had a larger impact on the public or it involved a public official.
Contact Esteban Parra at (302) 324-2299, eparra@delawareonline.com.
